Every month for the past six months, a single mum on Universal Credit has been left hundreds of pounds short due to a delay in reimbursing childcare costs since she returned to work as a nurse after a "complicated pregnancy".
Abbie Hogarth, 37, suffered severe pelvic pain that put her in hospital and left her unable to stand without crutches before the premature birth of her baby who then had multiple health scares, including jaundice.
During the pregnancy, Abbie discovered her husband of two years, who she'd been with for 13, was having a six-year affair with a woman he then left her for.
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She said she turned to Universal Credit as her household income was more than halved after the divorce, and she's working reduced hours so she can care for her kids, all the while trying to pay off a mortgage and save up for a new one.
Abbie, from Ellesmere Port, told the ECHO: "I'm working my backside off trying to save for a mortgage for a better house in a nicer area for myself and my children.
"And it's affecting my credit score, which is ultimately going to affect me getting another mortgage."
The mum of three has to provide proof that she's paid childcare costs before the Universal Credit system partially reimburses her for up to 85%.
But Abbie said that despite submitting her evidence early or on time, there is a delay before she's paid the money, leaving her roughly £600 short and unable to pay bills for a week every month.
The financial burden - £770 a month for a childminder for just one child - has forced Abbie to consider leaving a job she loves.
She said: "I won't leave my team in the lurch.
"I'm not going to just abandon my team, I'm not going to abandon the NHS, I'm not going to abandon my patients.
"The NHS is already very, very short of nurses. The last thing they need is more nurses leaving the profession because Universal Credit can't pay child care payments correctly."
Abbie's family try to help with the kids, but they all work and can't afford to support her financially.
She finds the situation "difficult" and only persists through "sheer determination".
The health worker said: "I wouldn't change having my kids for the world, but it frustrates me because I'm trying to set an example for my children, instilling them with values to go out to work, try and make a life for themselves, not to rely on everybody else, not to rely on just staying at home all the time and getting money from the government.
"And then when I do need to rely on support, I basically get a kick in the teeth every month and have to chase them for it.
"I already suffer with my mental health because of everything I've been through over the past two years, and this is just exacerbating it."
Since posting on social media about her struggles with Universal Credit, Abbie has spoken to other people in similar situations.
Now she is gathering people's stories to take to her local MP so she can highlight the problem.
Abbie told the ECHO: "I know I'm not the only person going through this, but other people going through this might not be as strong as me, might not be as strong-willed as I am, might not have the confidence to speak up about it or fight against it.
"I don't think it's right. I think that people shouldn't be made to suffer because they need to ask for help."
The ECHO put Abbie's claims to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
A DWP spokesperson said: "The Universal Credit system reimburses claimants for up to 85% of childcare costs, which is significantly more generous than the previous benefits system.
"We have introduced a comprehensive support package for working parents, including the Flexible Support Fund which can offer further childcare support for those starting work, and our £500m Household Support Fund is helping families who need further support to pay for the essentials this winter."
