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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be absolutely fking sick of Universal Credit

242 replies

scorpiogirly · 07/02/2025 09:26

Posted a few days ago regarding being called in for an appointment after work messed my wages up.

Went through all pay slips and could see the mistake, also could then see the basic pay per month which is over the AET. This is after increasing my hours.

So I messaged the work coach and explained what happened and that going forward my pay would be over the AET and asked if I still needed to attend the meeting which is today.

I was told yes as it was under last month. And we can discuss this apparently when I go in. Discuss what? Possible reasons work made the mistake? This is a work search appointment. For which there will be nothing to discuss or put in place as I will be over the AET.

But no, let's still waste my time, their time and also taxpayers money.

I just hate it. The way they make you jump through hoops in order to get the help you're entitled to.

Just a rant really. Does anyone hate UC as much as me?

OP posts:
CdcRuben · 08/02/2025 23:53

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CdcRuben · 08/02/2025 22:58

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Nospringchix · 08/02/2025 22:57

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Or housing/ energy costs need to come down. But that's not going to happen.

CdcRuben · 08/02/2025 22:49

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Nospringchix · 08/02/2025 22:28

80smonster · 07/02/2025 15:55

I’m sure the DWP could be better, but running down a free money service is laughable. Maybe if so many didn’t rely on UC payments, there would be more appointments and greater flexibility for those who need the services.

Well maybe if employers paid a living wage not so many would need to claim UC and there would be more appointments for those that need them. Just a thought....

IVFmumoftwo · 08/02/2025 21:22

Deeperthantheocean · 08/02/2025 21:15

In the end though, yes it is all about being given free money to help and with things like tax credits etc which I don't know much about, so reminding for a few seconds on a journal, or even ringing to explain it, I would be very happy to give my time?

Am appointment when she said she was at work you would be happy about?

Deeperthantheocean · 08/02/2025 21:15

In the end though, yes it is all about being given free money to help and with things like tax credits etc which I don't know much about, so reminding for a few seconds on a journal, or even ringing to explain it, I would be very happy to give my time?

Deeperthantheocean · 08/02/2025 21:10

Like most council matters, it's all about filling in forms, passing on, everyone does their own job.

With the UC dept it's a huge task to keep on top of it all as so many online forms to fill in while talking to the client, while being monitored and need to move on. It's a thankless job, same repeating of scripts, plus the amount of people on UC with complaints, never ending.

They can do their best to note every rant and pass on, facing the brunt, then the higher decisions are made. And again, back to workers to pick up the dissatisfaction and the cycle begins again.

That's why it's important to make notes on your journal for everything and those dealing with it will respond as quickly as they can.

CdcRuben · 08/02/2025 20:54

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CdcRuben · 08/02/2025 20:41

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TempNameUC · 08/02/2025 20:33

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You're not making perfect sense but I think I see what you're getting at and as far as I know companies are not going bankrupt due to staffing costs.

If the government wants to subsidise companies they should do it direct to the companies rather then vilifying those on low wages.

We currently are at almost full employment, all this shit about getting people into work is just to satisfy the arseholes who vote based on who they are encouraged to hate/blame for all the shit they keep bringing on themselves by voting against their own interests.

JohnofWessex · 08/02/2025 20:32

To paraphrase a well known saying, 'Who then is they benefits scrounger'

Might we start with employers and landlords/landowners?

Moving on, surely the role of job centres should be to help people move nogt only into employment but better paid employment so if you run a business relying on minimum wage zero hours contracts you will find that the Job centre wont make people apply for your jobs.

I remember talking to JC staff about 30 years ago, and it chimes with what people on the other side of the counter said, they were looking to send quality applicants to employers because if they didnt then they would never get jobs advertised through them again. Not this performative cruelty of forcing people to apply for totally unsuitable jobs and P*g everybody off

Mumto42005 · 08/02/2025 20:31

DrCoconut · 07/02/2025 10:30

Another thing with it is that it's less money than tax credits but you lose free prescriptions and dentist when you're moved over. How does having a reduced income make these more affordable? I'm skimping on dental work that I need due to long term issues because I can't justify the cost.

I've just moved over from TC to UC as I had a migration letter, and I think it's wrong that we now lose dental and prescription help. Working doesn't mean that it costs less and I was entitled to help on TC. Doesn't make sense!

Original poster
scorpiogirly · 08/02/2025 20:29

CatComments · 08/02/2025 20:03

I hope your side hustle isn't some sort of MLM is it? That's usually doomed to get you deeper in problems rather than helping you out. If it isn't an MLM then good luck with it, and I hope it helps you!

Show quote history

No, thanks for the concerned though. Heard some horror stories about those.

It's a business I've sort or resurrected from years ago. Basically selling printed goods like cards and invitations. At one point years ago it was making a fair amount. Have also branched out into other items.

OP posts:
TheOnionEyes · 08/02/2025 20:26

Lollipop81 · 08/02/2025 20:14

You don’t immediately qualify if you are on UC. You need to earn less than a certain amount, and it is low, I can’t remember off the top of my head.

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Yes, that is correct! I am not sure of how much that is either. However, everyone should check and not just assume that they are not entitled to it. They would love people to pay for what they should freely be entitled to.

thisfilmisboring123 · 08/02/2025 20:25

Lollipop81 · 08/02/2025 20:12

Why do you have to see a work coach when you have a job? I work 21 hours a week, claim UC for wraparound fees, I don’t have to attend appointments.

At 21 hours a week, even if you’re on NMW you’re earning enough as it puts you over the earnings threshold.
If yours is a single claim and you’re earning over £892 per AP, you won’t be called for apts

TheOnionEyes · 08/02/2025 20:21

Bryonyberries · 07/02/2025 22:55

Not financial net contributors but we are all labour contributors. Without those in low income jobs doing very necessary roles in society there wouldn't be a society. It isn't the workers fault that their role isn't valued highly enough that they aren't paid enough to live on without help from UC.

Covid showed that many of the most vital roles are also low paid roles. The people who care for others be that children or the elderly are paid far less than their role deserves. They are definitely contributors in every other way for society. Nursery workers allow everyone else to work, elderly carers allow their families to work. Without people in roles such as these there would be a very different dynamic.

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Beautifully stated 👏🏻

thisfilmisboring123 · 08/02/2025 20:20

TheOnionEyes · 08/02/2025 20:10

You are still entitled to free dentistry and prescriptions. There is even a tick box on the prescription for Universal Credit claimants, which nullifies you from paying.

Someone from the DWP probably gave that incorrect information to someone, and of course it would spread like wildfire 🔥 out of horror. Tbh, it is believable. It is something they would do. I just wouldn't put anything past the government. Our pockets get more empty, whilst theirs get more full! However, on this case, it's still free "for now."

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No, it’s not free everyone on UC.

You have to be on UC and have an income of lower than £435 or £935 if responsible for a child or have lcwra in the relevant AP.

CdcRuben · 08/02/2025 20:18

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Spaghetti12 · 08/02/2025 20:18

This is not right, put in a complaint. Appointments can also be conducted over the phone

TempNameUC · 08/02/2025 20:14

TheOnionEyes · 08/02/2025 20:10

You are still entitled to free dentistry and prescriptions. There is even a tick box on the prescription for Universal Credit claimants, which nullifies you from paying.

Someone from the DWP probably gave that incorrect information to someone, and of course it would spread like wildfire 🔥 out of horror. Tbh, it is believable. It is something they would do. I just wouldn't put anything past the government. Our pockets get more empty, whilst theirs get more full! However, on this case, it's still free "for now."

Show quote history

You're entitled to free dental care if your income is below £435/month, under Tax Credits it was if your income was below £15,276/year or £1273/month.

Lollipop81 · 08/02/2025 20:14

TheOnionEyes · 08/02/2025 20:10

You are still entitled to free dentistry and prescriptions. There is even a tick box on the prescription for Universal Credit claimants, which nullifies you from paying.

Someone from the DWP probably gave that incorrect information to someone, and of course it would spread like wildfire 🔥 out of horror. Tbh, it is believable. It is something they would do. I just wouldn't put anything past the government. Our pockets get more empty, whilst theirs get more full! However, on this case, it's still free "for now."

Show quote history

You don’t immediately qualify if you are on UC. You need to earn less than a certain amount, and it is low, I can’t remember off the top of my head.

Lollipop81 · 08/02/2025 20:12

Why do you have to see a work coach when you have a job? I work 21 hours a week, claim UC for wraparound fees, I don’t have to attend appointments.

TheOnionEyes · 08/02/2025 20:10

DrCoconut · 07/02/2025 10:30

Another thing with it is that it's less money than tax credits but you lose free prescriptions and dentist when you're moved over. How does having a reduced income make these more affordable? I'm skimping on dental work that I need due to long term issues because I can't justify the cost.

You are still entitled to free dentistry and prescriptions. There is even a tick box on the prescription for Universal Credit claimants, which nullifies you from paying.

Someone from the DWP probably gave that incorrect information to someone, and of course it would spread like wildfire 🔥 out of horror. Tbh, it is believable. It is something they would do. I just wouldn't put anything past the government. Our pockets get more empty, whilst theirs get more full! However, on this case, it's still free "for now."

TempNameUC · 08/02/2025 20:08

Kerensa70 · 08/02/2025 19:31

Entitled????

'Believing oneself to be inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment.' Hope that helps.