Emily Cutter, a self-described “benefits influencer,” sparked controversy after revealing she used a £500 crisis loan from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for Botox and a Christmas makeover instead of essential expenses. Despite telling the government she urgently needed the loan to feed her children, Emily admits to prioritising beauty treatments.
Receiving £1,500 a month in Universal Credit alongside free school meals and a council tax reduction, Emily also benefits from child payments for her three children aged 18, 14, and 7. She described how she contacted Universal Credit claiming she was “absolutely skint” with no food in her cupboards. The loan, she says, was deposited straight into her bank within a week, and she currently repays it at just 50p per week.
“I didn’t have any money left for myself, but obviously I need Botox, filler, eyebrows, hair and nails,” Emily explained, thanking taxpayers for funding her “glow-up.” She also revealed spending £400 on makeup for her eldest daughter plus a diamond necklace and bracelet set worth £800 as part of an “investment jewellery collection” she began when her daughter was born, intended as future prom accessories.
READ MORE: I’m a Parenting Coach and Primary School Pupils Should Have Mental Health Days
READ MORE: How Birmingham’s Golden Eagle Rock Venue Became a City Centre Car Park
While crisis loans are intended to help cover essential costs before Universal Credit payments begin, Emily’s story has raised questions about misuse and the responsibilities of claimants. The amount of advance you can receive depends on individual circumstances and is typically equivalent to your first Universal Credit payment.