A mother who claims more than £1,500 per month in Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits is now asking the public to fund an all-inclusive holiday for her.
Emily Cutter, a 37-year-old mum-of-three, has built a substantial online presence as a self-styled 'benefits influencer'. She believes her followers and kind-hearted strangers should pay for her desired mini-break to destinations like Turkey, the Canary Islands, or Spain.
From OnlyFans to Universal Credit
Emily's journey to benefits began in 2023 when she made the decision to leave her OnlyFans account. She revealed she was earning a staggering £20,000 a month on the platform but quit due to the severe impact on her mental health and self-esteem.
She subsequently applied for Universal Credit, believing her savings would last until Christmas. However, her funds were depleted within just three months, leaving her reliant on state support.
The Crowdfunding Campaign for a 'Break from the Dole'
Defending her decision to seek a publicly-funded holiday, Emily stated, "I need a child-free break and I know people will want to help me pay for it." She directly compared her actions to other online fundraisers, asking, "If other people can beg for cash on GoFundMe then why can’t I?"
She is actively promoting her crowdfunding campaign on social media and insists she is not being selfish. "I’m making use of online tools available to everyone. More people should do the same," she advised, adding that she wants to show others on Universal Credit that they have options.
Emily anticipates receiving online abuse for her request but frames the holiday as an essential expense. "I have to recharge to deal with the vile abuse I get online," she explained. "Haters have no idea how hard it is being a mother and how hard I work dealing with their comments about my benefits lifestyle."
Public Reaction and Justification
The influencer acknowledges her campaign will attract both support and criticism. Her stated aim is to prove that there are more kind people than detractors willing to help her cause.
In a direct plea, she asked, "I am also desperate just for a few days away. What’s wrong with that?" Emily Cutter's story continues to spark a fierce debate about the use of benefits and the ethics of online fundraising.
