Two sisters living just three miles apart in Greater Manchester are facing similar financial struggles despite having completely different income sources. Nicola receives approximately £2,300 a month in benefits, while her sister Karen works 22 hours a week at Tesco. Both are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Nicola's Story: From Work to Benefits
Nicola, 44, was in work and managing her own finances before a workplace accident forced her to undergo surgery and face difficulties accessing certain benefits. She fell behind on essential bills, and at one point, bailiffs and debt collectors warned they would begin removing her possessions the next day. She contacted debt advisors at Money Wellness, who revealed support and benefit entitlements she had not realized were available and helped her get back on track.
Nicola lives in rented accommodation with her three children. Two are employed, while her youngest has a disability that brings additional costs to the household. She currently receives just over £2,300 a month through Universal Credit, disability benefits, and child benefit. However, this is rapidly consumed by essentials, including £667 in rent, £270 on utilities, and £505 on food every month, along with further costs linked to her son's disability.
She told Money Wellness: "I do struggle from month to month because all my payments come in more or less around the same time, so I feel rich for a week or so. But with the rise in energy and food, I've found I'm struggling even more and having to lend off my mum sometimes till I get paid, which is a vicious circle. I'm going back to work soon because I just can't afford to live on LCW, now I'm getting better."
Karen's Story: Working Household Pressures
Just a short distance away, Nicola's younger sister Karen, 37, works 22 hours a week at Tesco. Her household receives little state support beyond child benefit, yet they face the same cost of living anxieties. Karen shares her home with her partner, who works full-time, and their two young daughters in a property they purchased in 2018. However, mounting financial pressures have forced the couple to postpone their wedding for three consecutive years, as they simply cannot justify the expense.
Shared Struggles and Family Support
Despite their vastly different working circumstances, both sisters agree that budgeting is becoming increasingly tough. They have pointed to the crucial role their family's support network has played in keeping their heads above water. Nicola said: "We all muck in and help each other out."
The cost of living crisis is hitting households across the UK, prompting Chancellor Rachel Reeves to develop a new cost of living strategy aimed at reducing the price of essentials among other initiatives. The financial squeeze is cutting across traditional boundaries, heaping pressure on families whether they are claiming benefits or not.
