A FORMER prostitute claims she was forced to sell sex for money as a result of problems with her benefits.

The woman, who lives in St John's, Worcester, said she became a prostitute as a result of Universal Credit, which was rolled-out in the city last year.

The mother-of-three claims she made mistakes in her application form, resulting in a delay in her receiving her first payment.

She said: "I was desperate, I felt I had no choice.

"I needed to feed my children so once and only once I gave it a go.

"It was when my children were at school, nobody else knew. I worked with my friend and had sex twice with two men.

"I earned £200. I won’t go into details or say where it took place, but I will never do it again.

"I felt used, cheap, dirty and degraded. But that night my children had a good meal."

The mother, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she made mistakes on her benefit application form in part because her controlling partner used to fill out the paperwork in their home.

However, the couple split up in September.

The woman, whose children are all aged under 10, added: "I was out of money, my savings had disappeared and I was really struggling to survive.

"I used the local foodbank twice. I was told by them they may not be able to help me again.

"No money arrived and I was feeling desperate."

The mother then contacted a friend of a friend, who sold sex for money, and asked for advice.

She said: “She advised me how to sell myself, she told me how to do it, where to find clients and how to stay safe.

"She told me which hotels in Worcester hired rooms by the hour and explained the risks."

After her horrifying experience of prostitution, the mother, who has no local family and few friends, contacted county councillor Richard Udall to try and sort out her benefit claim.

She said: "I have now received the money and I will never go back to prostitution.

"I would ask people not to judge me, I feel guilty enough already.

"I would do anything to ensure my children can eat, but I think I went too far.

"I know from what my friend told me that this is not unusual, many women have been forced to do the same.

"If the people in Government only knew what they are forcing women to do, they would change.

"They really have no idea how bad life can be on benefits, they have no idea what actions people like me are forced to take to survive.”

Cllr Udall, who represents St John's in Worcester, commended the woman for having the bravery to share her story.

He said he often hears desperate and tragic tales from residents who need help to claim benefits, saying this particular mum had faced a five week wait for benefits and was sent into 'a spiral' after her claim was initially rejected.

The councillor added: "She was forced into drastic, dangerous and degrading activity just to survive.

"For her and many others, this has become the reality of life on benefits in middle England in 2019.

"Our benefits system is broken. It has become so bad, people are being forced into such desperate acts. We urgently need benefit reform and change."

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said people do not have to wait five weeks to receive a Universal Credit payment.

The spokesman added: "Your first payment - an advance - is available on day one, meaning people are paid 13 times in a 12 month cycle.

“Less than three per cent of those subject to requirements for their benefits are under sanction, and only when they have not met them without good reason.”

Grahame Lucas, manager of Worcester Foodbank, said the service reviews people's cases after their third visit to the facility.

He said this policy is designed to ensure that people do not become dependant on the foodbank.