To wonder why I can't claim Universal credit?

Go ahead. Full time on minimum wage as a single person with no dependants and no rent to pay will gain you - £O UC

If you own your own home you can claim UC but you don't get a housing allowance.

Surely people that own their homes outright can’t claim UC? In that case, I’ll use my savings to pay off the mortgage and get a lower paid job and claim UC?

Could you look to sell your home OP and move to a cheaper property to release some equity?

Single childless people are screwed when they suddenly fall on hard times. After working over 20 years 50-55hrs a week and paying every penny on my mortgage, no holidays , only charity shop clothes, no nails done ever, hair cut no more than once a year, saving every penny i could now can't find much work and i get fuck all. If i had my time again i would rent and enjoy life ,work cash in hand and claim benefits, hard work does not pay off any more if you are honest.

Apologies you seem to have already answered the 25% question. But definitely look at if you are qualify for further CTR

Have you now applied for your 25% council tax discount?

OP has no work allowance disregard. Has no LCWRA or child dependant. So does not apply. Earnings will be deducted from base.

So sorry to hear your hours have been cut.

A pp has suggested cleaning work, this is a great idea. You could also consider ad hoc babysitting (childcare.co.uk), we pay a student £15 an hour cash for before or after school care for late primary-age kids, but would love someone older/with more life experience.

Also check out employers who have a positive approach to older workers, B&Q used to be good for this.

Would you consider renting a room to a lodger? You could try a short term arrangement initially to see how you get on. I believe you can earn up to £6-7k a year before you need to pay tax on income from a lodger.

The applicable amount (the amount the government thinks you need to live on if you don't have housing costs) for UC for a single adult is £400 per month. For a couple its £628 per month. If you earn significantly more than the government thinks you need to live on, you don't get UC.

UC is extremely low for people without children. Benefits always have been, even before UC. You rarely get anything at all unless you're unemployed, and even then the amount you get to live on whild claiming is miniscule unless there's something major (such as significant chronic illness/disability)

Contrary to what most people assume, the rate of benefits isn't tied in any way to the cost of actually living. The govt doesn't pretend that benefits are enough to live on, ie to pay for utilities and food, it's just a number that has been picked and very occasionally increases.

It isn't that generous for families either.

Most people who get universal credit on similar sort of incomes are paying rent and living in high rent areas.

My daughter was entitled when she lived in Ealing as it has a high average rent but wasn't entitled on the exact same income when she moved to Croydon for example.

Benefits for single adults with no children and no rent and no health conditions are much less generous than for families. What is your monthly income.

It’s refreshing to see someone on mumsnet present the truth about benefits and what people can claim

You’re expected to get full time work if you’ve no young children under 5 and you’ve no personal circumstances health wise that limits your capability to work.

@Walkinginthemoonlight UC is subsistence living you earn almost twice as much as UC says you need to live on per month after your housing costs (which for you is zero)
I know that certain media outlets say that UC claimants are raking it in but really they aren't.
You may be able to get some extra help with your council tax bill, if you live alone you can get 1/4 cut off it btw. Other than that your not going to get anything because the UC rates are so low

Do you contribute to a pension? If you do, that will affect your entitlement to benefits. UC is based on net income, that is after tax, NI and pension contributions. Use the benefits calculator to see what happens when you account for this.

You should get the 25% council tax reduction.

Are you able to find other work elsewhere? I know it’s not easy, but there are often seasonal opportunities in the lead up to Christmas. These might open more permanent roles.

Does DS still live with you? If so and he hasn’t been paying rent so far start charging him. He may also be entitled to more student loan if your earnings have changed by more than 25%, I’m not sure on the exact rules but may be worth him checking.

I would say look for a new job but I know the job market is absolutely shit at the moment.

If you already work in retail will Xmas bring any opportunities for you?

You would only be entitled to standard allowance of 400.14. You wouldn’t be entitled to a work allowance so your wages would wipe of any entitlement