Christmas is a time for giving but for some it's a difficult time to survive.
But if you're on benefits the financial strain of the season can prove almost too much to bear.
It's not just the cost of presents but also travelling that can make some of society's most vulnerable people even more isolated at an emotional time of the year.
Lynne Myers has been living on Universal Credit since she lost her job as a sales assistant three years ago.
And while she is due to retire on March 6, the 65-year-old says she still has to go to the job centre to say she is looking for work.
Asked about how she will be spending Christmas, she said: “It’s Christmas Day on Wednesday and I have £7 in the bank until I get paid next Friday, so I won’t be having much of a Christmas.
“There is no extra money for anything other than bare survival and I’m not surprised people have been driven to suicide because I have been very close to it myself.”
Lynne, who has been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, explains that she is unable to buy Christmas presents this year and will be spending Christmas alone as she can’t afford to visit her family.
She adds: “I have a son who lives in residential care in Sunderland as he is severely disabled, but I struggle to find any money to go and visit him.
“I won’t be having a happy Christmas. I hope next Christmas will be better.”
Former miner Barry Parker says he has been on benefits for years after he was deemed unfit for work.
The 61-year-old claims he should be receiving £712 a month in benefits, but he is currently receiving £288.
Speaking about how he will be spending Christmas, he said: “Past Christmases have always been alright, but since I’ve moved over to Byker from Jesmond things have been terrible.”
“I will be spending Christmas on my own this year and I won’t be having a Christmas dinner.”
A DWP spokesman said: “We have not been given the opportunity to investigate Ms Myers or Mr Parker’s cases in detail.
“We spend over £95 billion a year on working age benefits.
"Budgeting support is available and we encourage people to check their next payment date as some payments due over Christmas are made early.”
