Amanda Fallows, 53, from Broadheath, has been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and PTSD from growing up in care – and says she’d love to work if she could
A “terrified” disabled woman who relies on Personal Independence Payments (PIP) says she’s forced to survive on as little as three Pot Noodles a week.
Amanda Fallows, 53, suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and PTSD due to her upbringing in care, and says she would “love to work if she could”. She gets £600-a-month in benefits, with PIP contributing £383, but she struggles to cover rent, bills and food costs simultaneously.
On March 18, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) unveiled what they called the “biggest shake-up to the welfare system in a generation”.
It includes stricter restrictions on the number of people eligible for incapacity benefits like PIP.
The Spring Statement reiterated this on Wednesday, stating that the health component of Universal Credit will remain at £97 per week until 2029/30, and will be halved for new claimants from April 2026.
NHS volunteer Amanda described the changes as “horrifying” and expressed concern for disabled individuals nationwide.
Amanda, from Broadheath, Greater Manchester, said: “I find the announcements terrifying – I’m already in a situation where I can’t pay my bills, and I struggle to get to the end of the week sometimes.
“I’m not even eating at the moment, because I can’t actually afford to travel to the food bank – which is a bus journey away.
“My friends, who can’t help me out financially, are having to treat me to meals – sometimes I’ll live on three pot noodles a week.”
Amanda is currently grappling with an overdue bill of £180 from last month’s rent and states that her PIP isn’t sufficient to “afford to live”.
She typically uses her monthly PIP to cover her £40 phone bill, insurance for her phone and laptop, and bedroom tax.
However, once she has paid these bills and used her housing benefit to cover her rent, Amanda finds herself penniless, unable to even afford the bus fare to the food bank.
She said this dire financial situation has led to her losing a stone in weight over the past six weeks.
“Authorities keep sending me to food banks and I’ve got vouchers – but as I keep trying to tell them, I can’t even afford to go to the food bank,” she explained.
“This week, I’ve had three meals. A couple of friends took me to get small meals, which I was grateful for.
“But if I don’t have that, all I can do is eat Pot Noodles a few times a week.”
Despite her training to become an NHS mental health volunteer, Amanda feels that her PTSD limits her to contributing just two hours a week.
She said she was really sad about not being able to work and added that she is receiving free therapy from the charity Beyond Barriers, hoping it will enable her to volunteer more.
Yet, Amanda fears her recovery could lead to her PIP being reduced or scrutinised.
“I can’t really explain how sad it all makes me feel,” she continued. “I’m the sort of person where, I grew up in the UK system, I know how to fight for my rights.
“I feel so bad for other disabled or elderly people who haven’t been able to develop that skill. It’s all just horrifying, and I hate to think what others are going through.”
Amanda attends one therapy session per week and hopes one day she’ll be well enough to work. She added: “As I get better, over the next year, my plan is to volunteer more hours.
“I’m not better yet, but I’m trying. I’ve been trying so hard.”