12 March 2023 , 14:35
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A costly government mistake saw a single mum forced to skip meals so she could feed her children.
Leah Bailey, from Lincoln, was one of 45 parents who missed out on Household Support Vouchers of £100 by Christmas.
It was promised late last year, but due to an "administrative oversight", people are only now starting to receive the cash.
The mum of a disabled early years pupil at Priory Witham Academy said the failed payout meant she had to cut right back - including food for herself.
She revealed her struggle and said it left her having to make a big decision.
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Her eldest son attends Priory Witham Academy (Google)The vouchers are part of a government scheme that works with schools and other third parties to help people deal with "global inflationary challenges and the significantly rising cost of living".
Miss Bailey, 39, who receives Universal Credit payments, told LincolnshireLive: "With the economy at the moment, it is difficult for a single mum to get food for their children and for themselves.
"I was waiting for that money to come so I could get them more stuff at Christmas time.
"Withholding that voucher has made my life very difficult. I miss meals all the time.
"It's between my children not eating and me not eating."
The government website stated that authorities should particularly target disabled people as they "may be facing acute challenges due to the disproportionate impact [of] rising costs".
Geraldine O'Neill, sustainability and development manager at Lincolnshire County Council said: "Early Years falls under a separate system and an administrative oversight meant that 45 vouchers were simply missed at that time. We rectified the error as soon as it was brought to our attention and the vouchers are now being processed as a matter of priority.
"We apologise, again, to our parents and carers for any inconvenience this delay may have caused.
"The local authority received an enquiry from a parent at the Priory Witham Academy regarding an outstanding Household Support Grant voucher.
"We investigated the missing payment and found that there had been an oversight by the Academy for issuing the latest voucher to parents of early years pupils.
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"The Academy were asked to contact parents directly to resolve this issue and they have confirmed that an email of apology would be issued to all parents and the vouchers would be distributed immediately."