The ex-junior health secretary stunned phone-in caller Hayley Sanderson who said she often went hungry to ensure that her two small sons could eat.
Oxford-educated Edwina, 65, suggested Hayley had hit trouble because she had previously "lived life to the full".
She said on the BBC's Five Live: "When the money was coming in this sounds like there were two salaries coming in, and no savings life was being lived to the full. And a very good life indeed.
"But when there's no longer money coming in, you have to evaluate whether you are going to be able to get back to the good life quickly or not.
"In which case, you are going to have to think about maybe declaring yourselves bankrupt."
Shocked Hayley, 24, from Derbyshire, hit back telling the Strictly Come Dancing star: "Edwina, I've never lived life to the full. I don't go out every weekend. You've really upset me. We don't buy clothes on a weekly basis. We've never lived life to the full. I never said I've borrowed money. I'm paying off old bills like council tax."
Tearful Hayley added: "My partner lost his job a few months ago and I was on maternity leave. We're still catching up from when he wasn't working at all, so we're catching up from bills from back then.
"He only works two days a week at the moment so that's why I'm doing two jobs. I don't know how we got into this position. My partner got his hours cut and he was out of work for a while. You get behind with bills and then it's a constant catch-up every month. Food is not our main priority."
Last night Hayley said she was devastated by Edwina's comments. She said she and partner David have so little left after paying bills that they miss an evening meal "once or twice a week" to make sure there is enough for their sons aged seven months and four.
She said: "We live by the day and buy food as we need it. The children often ask for a snack and it's upsetting when you've not much to give them."
Mrs Currie was unavailable for comment last night.
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