‘I’ve had panic attacks ever since benefits cut announcement – I need PIP to live’

Katie McGill, 39, from Wiltshire, used to work as a call handler before developing a chronic pain condition which leaves her bedbound and struggling to walk – she fears her benefits will be cut

A disabled mum says she suffered “panic attacks” after she heard the government will slash benefits – and urged officials to “walk in our shoes for a month”. Katie McGill, 39, from Chippenham, Wiltshire, has spoken out after the government announced its drive to get people back into work and off benefits.

The mum, who has an 18-month-old son, suffers from anxiety, depression, and a chronic pain condition called fibromyalgia. She says that the disability is so severe that she has to use her toddler’s pram as a walker, and explained that she barely makes it out of the house.

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She was forced to quit her job as a call handler due to her pain and brain fog, which also impacted mental health in 2018. “I’d love the government to walk in our shoes for a month – they’d never cope. I’m so grateful for the money I get but it’s not a lot to live on,” she said.

“I can’t understand why they’re targeting the most vulnerable and the least well-off, they’re more like a Tory government than a Labour one.” Katie has needed Universal Credit (UC) since she first left her job. She was awarded Personal Independence Payment (PIP) last summer to help her afford taxis so she can get out and about more easily, and other adjustments.

She fears mental health illnesses won’t be considered valid reasons not to work and she’ll be forced to try to get a job, which she won’t be able to manage. And she worries that tougher criteria for claiming PIP might mean she will lose money.

Katie said: “I’m absolutely terrified all the time since I saw this on the news. The thought of losing the money I rely on or having to try to do a job I know I can’t manage is extremely frightening.

“Just the thought of it is totally overwhelming and brings on a panic attack. I’m living in dread.” She added: “It’s really demoralising to be asked to do something you know you can’t do and life is tough enough already. This shows a real lack of compassion on the part of the government.

“I hate living on benefits but there’s no way I’d get through a day’s work. I’d love to, but it just isn’t possible for me. I loved my job and wish I could still do it, it’s extremely sad and painful to have to keep justifying why I’m not able to.”

Katie’s fibromyalgia gives her pain over her whole body, and her sciatica means she has severe back pain and numbness in her limbs. Some days it takes her half an hour just to wash her hair because movement is so painful.

Four days a week she’s housebound because she’s too anxious to go out, or in too much pain, and even if she can get out the door, she uses her son’s buggy like a walker and needs to rest after a few hundred yards. She’s suffered from anxiety and depression for more than 20 years, and has tried more than 20 medications for anxiety, depression, and pain relief.

She said: “People still don’t believe mental health illnesses are real, this government announcement really shows that. People think anxiety is a bit of worry but it’s actually horrible to live with. Panic attacks are extremely debilitating, and can leave me physically sick every day for up to three months.”

Katie gets £900 from UC and child tax credits each month, and £593 PIP to help her live a full and independent life, and her £560-a-month rent to a housing association is paid by UC. But after paying her bills and buying food there’s nothing left over for outings or treats, she said.

Katie spends £20 on taxis to get to and from places like the local shop. It costs her £30 to get to the supermarket to shop or to the pharmacy to pick up her medications. She said: “People think living on benefits is a choice but it really isn’t. Nobody would make the choice to live like this – always scraping around to get enough money together to go to the shop.

“I run out of money and sometimes have to rely on food banks because the cost of living is so crazy at the moment, and benefits haven’t been brought in line with that. There are people earning millions who have the spare cash to pop out and buy a Gucci handbag without a second thought.

“Why are the government targeting people who rely on food banks rather than raising money through a wealth tax? It makes no sense.”