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AIBU to claim UC with a 'high' income

444 replies

Loriclimbs · 28/11/2025 19:15

I am very conflicted about lifting the two-child cap. I know many would benefit from it but it would lead us back to more abuse of the system. I, however, have three children myself. I have gratefully received UC in the past but as my income has grown I am currently no longer eligible.

With the addition of my youngest child, I will now be eligible for approximately £200 per month. I an a higher rate tax payer abd Icurrently pay over £1200 in income tax alone per month. I have to repay the majority of the child benefit I receive.

AIBU to claim what I am entitled to?

OP posts:
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IDidntSayThatSorry · 28/11/2025 19:48

They've opened up that can of worms by lifting the cap. The door is open, OP, you may as well step in to it and claim what they've released to you. I say go for it.

Those who don't believe this lift will cause more harm than good will have nothing to say, I hope.

Holdonforsummer · 28/11/2025 19:48

So to pay £1200 a month in tax, you’d have to earn around £68k. I played around with entitled.com and once the two child cap is lifted, if I imagine you privately rent and have three kids with no childcare, that still means you can get £440 in UC plus child benefit. Personally I think this is madness and I would be pushed to vote Tory for the first time ever at the next election as I think benefits are out of control. But go ahead and claim while you can!

FroddyLoop · 28/11/2025 19:48

You’ve just made me look at the benefits calculator out of interest. I am entitled to nothing but if I was to quit my job and look after the children I would get exactly the same money as I get working. What a ridiculous system.
(For anyone reading this, I won’t be quitting my job, I am not made to be a SAHM, I’d go insane 😂)

Needmorelego · 28/11/2025 19:48

@Loriclimbs how are you entitled to it?
Genuinely curious.

JemimaTiggywinkles · 28/11/2025 19:47

Higher rate tax kicks in at around £50k. If you’re a single earning household you take home less than a couple earning £25k each. I think most people can see that a couple earning £25k each might need help if they have kids. Minimum wage is around £23k for context.

Needmorelego · 28/11/2025 19:47

Katemax82 · 28/11/2025 19:26

My husband earns 72k we get UC

How ?
Genuine question?
(edit : I see you have children with disabilities.
That's different then)

Locutus2000 · 28/11/2025 19:46

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 28/11/2025 19:44

I really don’t think we should assume the OPs claim is accurate. It doesn’t appear to match what the online calculators say

Also one of the most faux-naive, goady threads in a horrible week.

RightSheSaid · 28/11/2025 19:45

If you are entitled to it then claim it. I guarantee that those in power claim every tax break and expense they are entitled to and some they aren't.

Katemax82 · 28/11/2025 19:45

pinkduckk · 28/11/2025 19:41

"Inspired" by all of the benefits posts, I went onto entitled to and checked my details.
I'm a single parent, earn just short of £50k, 1 child at home. It says child benefit and nothing else. How are the 72k people above getting UC?!
I actually get by ok and don't feel I need topped up but don't understand the disparity? Esp in households with 2 adults?

Look at my previous post it's states all the elements. We rent and have 2 disabled kids so that makes the award high. I haven't put amounts as I can't remember but it's something like 600 for a couple, 600 for 2 kids, 457 for a disabled child on high DLA. Like I said if a financial advisor hadn't told us about it if have told people it's absolutely not possible we could claim it. Also my autistic kids are so difficult I don't work as a result and we have high rent so it really heps

Locutus2000 · 28/11/2025 19:44

Coffeeandbooks88 · 28/11/2025 19:44

What's the point of this thread? Why didn't you just quietly claim instead of posting it here? Just gets people frothing.

You have answered your own question.

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 28/11/2025 19:44

I really don’t think we should assume the OPs claim is accurate. It doesn’t appear to match what the online calculators say

arethereanyleftatall · 28/11/2025 19:44

Am I the only one who could claim but doesn’t? It feels wrong to me as I don’t need it.

Coffeeandbooks88 · 28/11/2025 19:44

What's the point of this thread? Why didn't you just quietly claim instead of posting it here? Just gets people frothing.

BettysRoasties · 28/11/2025 19:43

nopenotplaying · 28/11/2025 19:43

So I am the only income we have I float just below the threshold for paying back a percentage of the child benefit. Am I reading this correctly that I could claim tax credits??

Give It a try and see nothing to loose.

nopenotplaying · 28/11/2025 19:43

So I am the only income we have I float just below the threshold for paying back a percentage of the child benefit. Am I reading this correctly that I could claim tax credits??

Locutus2000 · 28/11/2025 19:43

Hmm...super naive OP regarding current hot button issue. In AIBU.

BettysRoasties · 28/11/2025 19:42

pinkduckk · 28/11/2025 19:41

"Inspired" by all of the benefits posts, I went onto entitled to and checked my details.
I'm a single parent, earn just short of £50k, 1 child at home. It says child benefit and nothing else. How are the 72k people above getting UC?!
I actually get by ok and don't feel I need topped up but don't understand the disparity? Esp in households with 2 adults?

Add another child. Add nursery costs and add in rent.

Katemax82 · 28/11/2025 19:41

NotrialNodeal · 28/11/2025 19:40

Thank you!

Also our rent is high as is the LHA so that makes our award high. Also the 2 disabled kids add to it. They also mean I don't work so it does help

pinkduckk · 28/11/2025 19:41

"Inspired" by all of the benefits posts, I went onto entitled to and checked my details.
I'm a single parent, earn just short of £50k, 1 child at home. It says child benefit and nothing else. How are the 72k people above getting UC?!
I actually get by ok and don't feel I need topped up but don't understand the disparity? Esp in households with 2 adults?

BettysRoasties · 28/11/2025 19:40

Shinyandnew1 · 28/11/2025 19:40

Can someone explain how higher rate tax earners get Universal Credit? I thought UC was for those in a lower income?

Is it only if you have children/high childcare costs? Or a child with additional needs?

Rent can tip you over, high childcare costs and if someone in the household
has a disability you can earn quite a bit and get uc.

Katemax82 · 28/11/2025 19:40

We won't be claiming free school meals though. My kids won't eat them

NotrialNodeal · 28/11/2025 19:40

Katemax82 · 28/11/2025 19:33

I didn't believe it at first when we were told we could claim it by a financial advisor...we rent, we have 2 autistic kids who I claim carers for so we get
The couples element
Housing
Child element (for 2 of our 4 kids at the moment)
Disabled child element
Carers element
They take off what I get carers allowance, about £79 a month in previous carers allowance overpayment and 55% of my husband's monthly wage that's over £414
On an average month if my husband earns about 3800 we get about 580
My husband gets paid every 4 weeks so once a year they calculate 2 paydays in one assessment period so they think he's earned too much and we don't get anything for 2 months. One of my kids is nearly 20 so we won't get any extra for him in April but will fit our 4th child

Thank you!

Cebello · 28/11/2025 19:40

FML 🤦‍♀️

Shinyandnew1 · 28/11/2025 19:40

Can someone explain how higher rate tax earners get Universal Credit? I thought UC was for those in a lower income?

Is it only if you have children/high childcare costs? Or a child with additional needs?

BettysRoasties · 28/11/2025 19:39

Loriclimbs · 28/11/2025 19:37

I hadn't realised that! That would be even better, I'm paying £45 a week now!

Yup and again you can get lots of discounted entry to places if you are on UC as well. Whipsnade zoo, London zoo, lots of historical places and a few aquariums.

I had no idea till one of the school mums was telling me after her summer holiday adventures.

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