A cash-strapped single mum claims her son is "going without food" because of Universal Credit.
Krissy Taber, 26, quiet her job in 2015 when she discovered she was pregnant and has been on benefits since.
She now lives with her three-year-old son, Taylor, and claims she's "struggling to live" with the amount of money she receives.
Krissy, who lives in Shoebury, Essex, wants the system to change to help those families "living on the breadline".
Four years ago, Krissy discovered she was pregnant. She was working at a local fish and chip shop at the time, but had no choice but to quit as the pregnancy developed, EssexLive reports.
"I had a job and I was there for three years, then I found out I was pregnant," she said. "I didn't want to work in a fish and chip shop with people all around me and bashing into me.
"So I quit my job and applied for a Jobseekers' Allowance (JSA), but they said I couldn't because the system had been changed."
Krissy was then put on Universal Credit, and after paying for her rent, had to make £400 last for an entire month.
"Then Taylor came along," she added. "I was receiving one monthly payment of £700, so about £300 for rent and £400 to live on for the whole month, and I had a baby son.
"I do have a little bit of help from my mum but she's got her own house to look after, so it's not fair, she has her own things to pay for."
£80 to spend on food
After taking into account council tax, electric and gas bills and a TV licence she said she was left with around £80 to spend on her monthly shopping.
Krissy added: "I'm now being paid my Universal Credit every two weeks, but before I had to save all the money for four weeks. By the second and third week I was getting by on a slice of bread or a piece of toast.
"This weekend I've had to scrimp out of what's left in my freezer to feed my son. He's sometimes going without food."
Krissy insists she wants to work and earn her own money, but having to care for a young child means it's simply not a possibility.
"I'm struggling to live. People are taking control of your life and what you can and can't have. That's how I feel."
After contacting the job centre, Krissy now receives two monthly payments instead of one.
Her rent is now paid for, leaving her with £460 a month, or £230 each pay day, to cover bills, tax and shopping. But she claims it still isn't enough.
"I'm trying to give him the best life. When I'm crying or I'm sad because I can't put food in my son's tummy I have to put on a brave face. He asks me if I'm sad and it's horrible.
"For single parents, mums and dads, it should go back to how it used to be where you got your money more frequently," Krissy added.
A Department of Work & Pensions spokeswoman said: "We are determined to support families with the cost of living and with Universal Credit 700,000 families are now getting on average £285 more a month.
"We pay Ms Taber’s rent directly to her landlord to help with budgeting. And we have supported her with an advance payment, which is being repaid from her monthly award."
The DWP also said that under Universal Credit, 95 per cent of claimants are paid in full and on time, and up to 100 per cent advance payments are available from day one so that no one has to wait.
The governmental department added that Universal Credit claimants are able to claim up to 85 per cent of their childcare costs, compared to 70 per cent on the previous legacy system.
Costs can be claimed up to a month before starting a job and for families with two children this could be worth up to £13,000 a year.
