I helped run the UK's welfare system. Now it's broken me'

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"Nobody cares whether I've worked my whole life, says Jo, 53, from Sheffield. They hear the words Universal Credit' and think you're a scrounger. As a workaholic, it's hard for me to process not working. I feel like I've got no purpose, no worth. The mother-of-two held roles in the public sector all her life, including years as an adviser at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)."

The Independent sends reporters to cover major US issues such as reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, producing investigations and documentaries like 'The A Word' about American women fighting for reproductive rights. Donations enable continued on-the-ground reporting and interviews with both sides. The Independent remains accessible without paywalls and is funded by supporters to keep reporting free. A reader testimony from Jo, 53, describes stigma from Universal Credit, loss of purpose after health-related job loss, and difficulty accessing benefits because of in-person Jobcentre requirements. Experiences with advisers vary, with some offering help and others unable to assist.

Read at www.independent.co.uk