Veronica Merritt, 39, from New York, US, spends £19,000 a year feeding her 12 children - and says she wouldn't be able to support her family if the government didn't help her out

A single mum-of-12 said she's been forced to rely on food stamps due to the cost of living crisis - and "can't afford" to feed her family without them. Veronica Merritt, 39, says she has to feed her kids macaroni, hot dogs, and packet ramen - because now her yearly food bill totals £19k ($24k).