A woman receiving more than £1,000 a month in disability and other state benefits is reportedly earning additional income by providing services as a dominatrix on adult websites. Melanie Bull, also known by the pseudonyms Lola Steel and Scarlett Rose, claims to have a severe medical condition that limits her ability to perform everyday tasks, qualifying her for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit, and housing benefits.
Bull, a 47-year-old resident of Northamptonshire and mother of one, reportedly offers a range of dominance-themed adult services online, including phone, text, and in-person sessions. She is said to specialize in "financial domination," a niche in which clients, primarily men, send money and gifts in exchange for humiliation and control-based interactions. Sources familiar with her activities stated that Bull can earn up to £1,000 a month from these engagements, with payments typically made in multiple increments from clients who refer to her as “goddess” and who are known to enjoy being demeaned by terms such as “paypigs” and “pathetic maggots.”
Website advertisements indicate Bull charges £110 for an hour-long “in-call” session and £150 for an “out-call” of the same duration. Allegedly, a client once gifted her a large television, which she reportedly left outside to avoid drawing attention to her financial situation. Bull also appears at local public events, such as a karaoke night at a pub, and continues to maintain an active social life despite her declared disabilities.
To qualify for PIP, claimants must demonstrate to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that their condition significantly impairs their ability to perform daily living and mobility tasks safely and consistently. Bull’s benefits package reportedly comprises PIP payments for disability-related needs, Universal Credit for limited work capability, and housing benefits covering rent costs, with total monthly support exceeding £1,000.
The case has prompted renewed discussion about welfare system reforms. Baroness Casey, overseeing a review of welfare and social care, highlighted that many people might qualify for disability support under current standards, citing statistics that one in four people in the UK self-reported a disability in 2023-24. She remarked that even individuals who do not consider themselves disabled might meet the criteria based on medical assessments.
The DWP requires benefit recipients to promptly report changes in their circumstances, including any income, to ensure the accuracy of payments. Failure to do so can result in penalties, including imprisonment. Lee Anderson, chairman of Reform UK and a Member of Parliament, said the case raised serious concerns about potential system abuse and advocated for reinstating face-to-face assessments to verify eligibility, emphasizing the need to ensure that public funds support only those who genuinely qualify.
Bull has denied using adult websites and declined to comment on her benefit claims when approached. A DWP spokesperson reiterated the obligation for Universal Credit claimants to disclose earnings, warning that nondisclosure may result in prosecution.