Research shows Universal Credit claimants ran out of money for food (Image: Getty)
More than half of those on Universal Credit "ran out of food" during the last month.
A survey from an anti-poverty charity found more than 52% of people claiming benefits are behind on bills and credit commitments or are finding it a constant struggle to keep up with them, a survey for the Trussell Trust found.
Over two-fifths - around 42% - said they are behind with one or more household bills.
The YouGov research among Universal Credit recipients, carried out from January 18 to February 5, found that one in eight (12%) had used a food bank in the previous month while 55% had run out of food in the past month and could not afford more.
READ MORE: Trident test missile 'went plop' into the sea after reported launch failure
YouGov found benefit claimants are falling behind on bills (Image: Getty)
More than a fifth (22%) of Universal Credit recipients had been unable to cook hot food in the past three months as they could not afford to use their oven or other utilities.
Just over a quarter (26%) have missed an essential appointment, such as visiting the doctor or travelling to work, because they could not afford the cost of transport in the past three months.
Some 43% of people reported being unable to keep their home warm this winter.
Temporary measures such as the cost-of-living payments have helped people on the lowest incomes but they have only provided short-term respite, the Trussell Trust said.
Don't miss...
'I asked Rishi to change the law on assisted dying - his answer gave me hope' [INSIGHT]
Welsh Government says drivers going 4mph slower on main roads under 2mph zones [LATEST]
Nigel Farage erupts at Home Office sacking of border chief inspector [REPORT]
One in eight Universal Credit claimants use food banks, a survey found (Image: Getty)
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial
It is urging the UK Government to introduce an “essentials guarantee” so the basic rate of Universal Credit is always enough to cover life’s essentials and support can never be pulled below that level.
Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “Food banks do all they can to support people in their communities but charities alone can’t take the place of a social security system that should support any of us who have fallen on hard times and need help.”
YouGov surveyed more than 1,300 people who are claiming Universal Credit.
James Taylor, executive director of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, said: “Life costs a lot more when you’re disabled, and many disabled people have no choice but to rely on benefits for income.
Trending
“At Scope, we are hearing from disabled people who are going days without eating, using candles instead of lights and rationing the use of wheelchairs to save power.”
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Pensions warning as retired Britons could end up with just ￡10.71 a day to live on
9 Comments
Pensioners could get over ￡7,000 a year guaranteed income in retirement - can you claim?
1 Comments
Spring Budget 2024 predictions: What tax cuts could Jeremy Hunt announce?
18 Comments
Inheritance tax revenue soars to ￡6.3bn but could give ‘headroom' for Jeremy Hunt's budget
10 Comments
Recession piles pressure on Jeremy Hunt for 'targeted tax cuts' in Spring Budget
5 Comments
Retirees flock to buy annuities as sales hit highest level since 2014
Comments
The European country helping pensioners to go on holiday - British expats can benefit too
7 Comments
Broke Labour-run mega council's ￡150 million of cuts - bin collections, day centres hit
95 Comments
Four in 10 workers are taking on significant extra duties on top of their usual work
4 Comments
State pension warning as simple change could make a 'big difference' in larger payments
9 Comments
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ditches 2p income tax cut, reports suggest
82 Comments
DWP state pension warning as one thing could leave you out of pocket in retirement
Comments
DWP's Carer's Allowance payment 'can affect' other benefits - how to check yours
Comments
Thousands could be better off by ￡7,000 after one simple 10 minute check
2 Comments
Brits are missing out on ￡19 billion in unclaimed income due to lack of easy access
13 Comments
DWP and HMRC to send ￡299 cost of living payment today - what you need to know
1 Comments
DWP support for unemployed - and other ways to stay afloat during cost-of-living crisis
8 Comments
You must cut taxes further in the Budget, Mr Hunt
11 Comments
Pensions expert explains ￡299 DWP benefit going unclaimed - check if you are eligible
Comments
Men are four times more likely to die before their wives. Every couple MUST do this
7 Comments
Pensions warning as retired Britons could end up with just ￡10.71 a day to live on
9 Comments
Pensioners could get over ￡7,000 a year guaranteed income in retirement - can you claim?
1 Comments
Spring Budget 2024 predictions: What tax cuts could Jeremy Hunt announce?
18 Comments
Inheritance tax revenue soars to ￡6.3bn but could give ‘headroom' for Jeremy Hunt's budget
10 Comments
Recession piles pressure on Jeremy Hunt for 'targeted tax cuts' in Spring Budget
5 Comments
Retirees flock to buy annuities as sales hit highest level since 2014
Comments
The European country helping pensioners to go on holiday - British expats can benefit too
7 Comments
Broke Labour-run mega council's ￡150 million of cuts - bin collections, day centres hit
95 Comments
Four in 10 workers are taking on significant extra duties on top of their usual work
4 Comments
State pension warning as simple change could make a 'big difference' in larger payments
9 Comments
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ditches 2p income tax cut, reports suggest
82 Comments
DWP state pension warning as one thing could leave you out of pocket in retirement
Comments
DWP's Carer's Allowance payment 'can affect' other benefits - how to check yours
Comments
Thousands could be better off by ￡7,000 after one simple 10 minute check
2 Comments
Brits are missing out on ￡19 billion in unclaimed income due to lack of easy access
13 Comments
DWP and HMRC to send ￡299 cost of living payment today - what you need to know
1 Comments
DWP support for unemployed - and other ways to stay afloat during cost-of-living crisis
8 Comments
You must cut taxes further in the Budget, Mr Hunt
11 Comments
Pensions expert explains ￡299 DWP benefit going unclaimed - check if you are eligible
Comments
Men are four times more likely to die before their wives. Every couple MUST do this
7 Comments
Pensions warning as retired Britons could end up with just ￡10.71 a day to live on
9 Comments
Pensioners could get over ￡7,000 a year guaranteed income in retirement - can you claim?
1 Comments
Spring Budget 2024 predictions: What tax cuts could Jeremy Hunt announce?
18 Comments
Inheritance tax revenue soars to ￡6.3bn but could give ‘headroom' for Jeremy Hunt's budget
10 Comments
Recession piles pressure on Jeremy Hunt for 'targeted tax cuts' in Spring Budget
5 Comments
Retirees flock to buy annuities as sales hit highest level since 2014
Comments
The European country helping pensioners to go on holiday - British expats can benefit too
7 Comments
A Government spokesperson said: “We are providing ￡104 billion in cost-of-living living support worth on average ￡3,700 per household, including investing over ￡2 billion into the household support fund to help those in most need, and almost ￡800 million has been paid out to families with children so far.
“Since 2010 there are 1.7 million fewer people living in absolute poverty, and we know work is the best route out of poverty, so we’re going even further, raising the national living wage, cutting national insurance, curbing inflation and investing billions through our back to work plan to break down barriers to work so even more people can secure long-term financial security.”
Related articles Campaigners warn not to believe Labour triple lock pledge yet Border chief sacked after massive row on flight security checks boils over Rishi Sunak commits to introducing assisted dying laws if MPs want change Argentina blasts David Cameron for 'provacative' Falklands visit Rishi Sunak - it is 'completely ridiculous' for illegal migrants to jump queue