A mum to twins says a payment backdating rule for parents on universal credit is "inhumane" and penalising people unfairly. Currently, the benefit can only be backdated three months.
But Ella-Mae Michalski spent six months in hospital before and after her complicated pregnancy and the premature birth of Bella and Ruby. That meant that when she tried to claim from the time of her twins' birth, she was turned down by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
More than 50% of twins and 90% of triplets are born prematurely – which can lead to problems after birth. Ella-Mae said the DWP told her claims could only be backdated three months and she had taken too long to report the birth.
