Cost-of-living-crisis: Glasgow mum skips meals for baby

Charlene Young, who lives in Scotstoun, is struggling to get by during the cost-of-living crisis after waiting more than seven weeks to see vital benefits come through.

The 37-year-old could not afford basic necessities like a pram or cot for four-month-old Priya Young without her Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grant.

The full-time mum told the Glasgow Times waiting for money while on the breadline left her suffering “a breakdown”.

Charlene pictured with baby Priya (Image: Newsquest)

Charlene said: “I am really struggling with the cost-of-living crisis so having to wait weeks and weeks for my benefits is a complete nightmare.

“There are times I don’t even eat because as a mother I need to put my child first.

“I feel like I am having a breakdown hare and getting no help or support.

“There is so much stuff you need to buy for a baby and I just can’t right now, I don’t even have a pram.

“Other mums must be feeling this strain and struggling as well, it just isn’t right.

“I feel so sorry for my baby girl because I can’t get her things like a cot or anything, I really need my benefits.”

Social Security Scotland sent Charlene a letter saying they could not prove she was the main person caring for her baby (Image: Newsquest)

Charlene claims she was told on the phone by Social Security Scotland (SSS) that there were no issues, and she would receive the benefits very soon.

However, she claims a week later she received a letter saying her payments would not be sent because they could not prove she was the main person looking after the baby.

She then contacted the Glasgow Times who challeneged the SSS triggering investigations into Charlene's case.

The mum was then told told things had finally been cleared up and she began receiving crucial payments.

A Social Security Scotland spokesperson said: “While we don’t comment on individual cases, our staff work hard to process applications as quickly as possible to make sure eligible people get the money they are entitled to.

“Our most recent statistics on both Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grant have shown that we are making progress in reducing the time that eligible clients have to wait from making an application to receiving their payment.

“Checking client eligibility can require confirmation of qualifying benefits from UK Government departments.

“Successful applications for Scottish Child Payment are always backdated to the day when a client first applied.”