Good afternoon. Isabella here. Welcome back to Survival Guide.

New shocking statistics were released yesterday showing record numbers of people are turning to food banks for the first time.

It is a stark reminder that, despite inflation falling, more people than ever are struggling to afford the essentials they need to survive.

Behind the numbers are heartbreaking personal stories. A food bank is regularly the last resort, because of shame and stigma, and so guests are often going through the worst time in their lives.

In this week’s newsletter, we meet Steve, who shares his story of being forced to turn to a food bank after a workplace injury. Alongside the Trussell Trust, he believes that the welfare system is failing to support people. 

We also chat to India Amarteifio, star of Bridgerton spin-off Queen Charlotte. As the latest season of the glitzy Netflix series hits screens today, Amarteifio wants to use her voice and lived experience to call for change in the benefits system and get it working for people.

Read all of that and more below…

If you have a story to share, we want to listen. Get in touch at isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com or share your story here.

Steve’s story: ‘We're suddenly vulnerable’

Steve never imagined he would need a food bank. He had not planned for life to go wrong.

After a serious back injury left him unable to work, he could not afford his basic costs and his mental health suffered, pushing him even further away from returning to employment.

“For most people, we don’t want to think situations like this could happen,” Steve says. “We have this plan for our lives, which is a working life. If something goes wrong, that plan completely changes. We’re suddenly vulnerable.

“The last few years have really brought that home for people because we had a pandemic and then we’ve had the cost of living, which has meant that a lot of people have struggled financially. Suddenly, a lot of people are rethinking their lives.”

As new statistics show that food banks are seeing record demand, Steve shares his story.

In case you missed it

Even Suella Braverman wants to end the two-child benefit cap. Why is Labour refusing to budge? Charities weigh in on the impact the 'cruel' welfare policy is having on kids living in deprivation across the UK. Here’s the story.

DWP sparks outcry with plan to hire 2,500 'agents' to investigate universal credit claimants. Campaigners fear the government is "sleepwalking into another Horizon scandal" as it expands plans to crack down on benefit fraud. Read more.

Home Office drops plan to arrest homeless people if they smell. The government has softened the Criminal Justice Bill after parliament pressure – but ‘unnecessary’ Vagrancy Act replacement still leaves rough sleepers at risk of prison. Get the latest.

Stigma of poverty is a 'wicked social problem', report warns – but it doesn't have to be this way. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has found that stigma around poverty can worsen people's situations. But we can change that. Read about it.

Will DWP's WorkWell scheme actually help people into work – or is it an attack on disability rights? The government has launched its WorkWell scheme to mixed reaction from campaigners and experts. Here’s more.

DWP snooping on benefit claimants' bank accounts will 'decimate civil liberties', campaigners warn. Over a quarter of a million people have urged the government to scrap “terrifying” plans to “snoop” on benefit claimants’ bank accounts. Get the story.

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India Amarteifio on growing up on benefits and entering the glitzy Bridgerton world

India Amarteifio’s life changed this time last year when she starred as Queen Charlotte in a Bridgerton spin-off. She was dropped into a world of elegance, glitz and glamour. There were enormous costumes and palaces, red carpets and magazine cover shoots.

It felt bizarre. Amarteifio grew up with a single mum who claimed benefits and worked long hours to take care of her girls. And almost overnight, she shot to fame as a star of one of the biggest Netflix franchises ever made.

Now, she wants to use her platform and experiences to help families like her own. She is an ambassador for the charity Turn2us, which has launched a new campaign calling for the benefits system to be made more accessible.

“We want to get rid of the stigma of benefits and them being a taboo,” she says. “There is £23bn worth of unclaimed benefits for people that are there for them to claim. For me, it feels like I’ve got the platform. I can speak from experience as to why and how important beneficial this would be to people. We need to get things moving and get people talking.”

Read our interview with India Amarteifio and all about the campaign to get the benefits system working.

Saving those coins: Is your child eligible for free school meals?

Free school meals are a lifeline for millions of families across the UK, guaranteeing eligible children a hot and nutritious meal every school day.

Whether your child is eligible for free school meals depends on their age, where you live and your income. Your child may be eligible if you are claiming benefits, or they might be eligible for universal infant free school meals.

In most areas people can apply through their local authority’s website. You can find out more about how to apply if you live in England through the government’s website here, which will link you to your council’s free school meals page. 

There’s a different process to apply depending on where you live. Find out more information on how to apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you’re not sure what support you might be eligible for, it’s worth contacting your council directly. You can also contact Citizens Advice or speak to your school if you need extra financial support and want to be shown in the right direction.

Read more about free school meals and whether your child might be eligible.