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Original poster

To wonder why the UC savings threshold is £6,000?

856 replies

GiddyLurker · 18/04/2026 21:55

Why is the Universal Credit savings threshold set at £6,000? What’s the reasoning behind that number?

It feels quite specific and I just wondered whether there’s a particular logic or policy decision behind it?

OP posts:
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5
XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 23:29

BringBackCatsEyes · 19/04/2026 22:52

If the nurse has >6K in assets she won't be able to claim - hence the hand-to-mouth, month-to-month existence. This is why some nurses use food banks. That small family food box may be just enough to tide them over until the next pay day.

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No, it is £16k. She could still claim, but there is a taper.
Between £6k and £16k, you are deducted about £4.50 for every £250 you have over 6k... up to £16k where you would not be able to claim at all.

Kirbert2 · 19/04/2026 23:20

littleorangefox · 19/04/2026 23:11

I liked the zoo but I was quite pregnant (with baby number 4) and it was Edinburgh zoo in summer and those who know will know about the hill. Anyway a lot of the animals stayed inside. Perhaps they knew we were on UC and felt we didn't deserve the whole experience.

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😂

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 23:14

littleorangefox · 19/04/2026 23:11

I liked the zoo but I was quite pregnant (with baby number 4) and it was Edinburgh zoo in summer and those who know will know about the hill. Anyway a lot of the animals stayed inside. Perhaps they knew we were on UC and felt we didn't deserve the whole experience.

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The only zoo near me is my actual town centre. Rough as hell 😂

littleorangefox · 19/04/2026 23:11

Kirbert2 · 19/04/2026 23:08

Chester did it temporarily over the Christmas holidays and we went then. I only found out about it due to someone making a thread on here complaining about it. 😂

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I liked the zoo but I was quite pregnant (with baby number 4) and it was Edinburgh zoo in summer and those who know will know about the hill. Anyway a lot of the animals stayed inside. Perhaps they knew we were on UC and felt we didn't deserve the whole experience.

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 23:10

Kirbert2 · 19/04/2026 23:08

Chester did it temporarily over the Christmas holidays and we went then. I only found out about it due to someone making a thread on here complaining about it. 😂

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I remember that. A week over xmas... like the people complaining about you getting in for cheap would have been going anyway.
I like how those threads end up with people sharing the discounts and deals anyway.

littleorangefox · 19/04/2026 23:08

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 23:07

Some people said that people on benefits should not be able to afford steaks. A poster did a name change to 'GovernmentFundedSteak', and another on UC said she bought steak out of spite after reading some of the comments.
I have a posh steak in my freezer, but it was reduced.

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😂😂

That wasn't me but I like that person.

I also like steak. I'll add it to my shopping list. After all Tesco are going to do me the special scrounger prices so it'll be fine.

Kirbert2 · 19/04/2026 23:08

littleorangefox · 19/04/2026 23:01

I have a confession.

After having a long hard think and some soul searching I remembered that went to the zoo once and used a reduced price special offer for benefit bums.

Clearly rolling in the handouts here. I reckon if I tried really hard I could convince the bank to reduce my mortgage for me too. It's basically the same thing. Right?

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Chester did it temporarily over the Christmas holidays and we went then. I only found out about it due to someone making a thread on here complaining about it. 😂

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 23:07

littleorangefox · 19/04/2026 23:04

I don't think I am but this sounds like something I would do...

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Some people said that people on benefits should not be able to afford steaks. A poster did a name change to 'GovernmentFundedSteak', and another on UC said she bought steak out of spite after reading some of the comments.
I have a posh steak in my freezer, but it was reduced.

littleorangefox · 19/04/2026 23:04

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 23:04

Are you the poster that go so pissed off on these threads, you went and bought a steak? Because we kept being told us bums should not be allowed steaks 😂

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I don't think I am but this sounds like something I would do...

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 23:04

littleorangefox · 19/04/2026 23:01

I have a confession.

After having a long hard think and some soul searching I remembered that went to the zoo once and used a reduced price special offer for benefit bums.

Clearly rolling in the handouts here. I reckon if I tried really hard I could convince the bank to reduce my mortgage for me too. It's basically the same thing. Right?

Show quote history

Are you the poster that go so pissed off on these threads, you went and bought a steak? Because we kept being told us bums should not be allowed steaks 😂

littleorangefox · 19/04/2026 23:01

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 22:43

Really... you can't say I have a benefit/perk worth xyz when I live nowhere near the place offering it.

Show quote history

I have a confession.

After having a long hard think and some soul searching I remembered that went to the zoo once and used a reduced price special offer for benefit bums.

Clearly rolling in the handouts here. I reckon if I tried really hard I could convince the bank to reduce my mortgage for me too. It's basically the same thing. Right?

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 22:59

Ally886 · 19/04/2026 22:46

Is nobody familiar with income protection these days?

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What income protection scheme is there for a NMW zero hour contract job?
Or someone with pre-existing health conditions?

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 22:57

Kirbert2 · 19/04/2026 22:45

I don't live anywhere near there either.

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It would cost me about £200 in train fair to get there.

Kirbert2 · 19/04/2026 22:57

Ally886 · 19/04/2026 22:46

Is nobody familiar with income protection these days?

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I can't work because my child is disabled. There's no income protection or insurance for that unfortunately.

It also isn't instantly paid out. What happens in the time between when you have no money and are waiting for it to be paid? Benefits most likely unless you have a good amount of savings.

BringBackCatsEyes · 19/04/2026 22:52

youalright · 19/04/2026 18:45

Yeah which is why a single parent on this wage would be entitled to uc. But according to this thread would make them a scrounger and shouldn't ever be allowed a holiday or any savings

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If the nurse has >6K in assets she won't be able to claim - hence the hand-to-mouth, month-to-month existence. This is why some nurses use food banks. That small family food box may be just enough to tide them over until the next pay day.

Chocaholick · 19/04/2026 22:50

Ally886 · 19/04/2026 22:46

Is nobody familiar with income protection these days?

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I have it! I’m a mug aren’t I?

Ally886 · 19/04/2026 22:46

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 22:15

You are one accident away from needing to claim benefits.

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Is nobody familiar with income protection these days?

Kirbert2 · 19/04/2026 22:45

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 22:43

Really... you can't say I have a benefit/perk worth xyz when I live nowhere near the place offering it.

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I don't live anywhere near there either.

Chocaholick · 19/04/2026 22:45

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 22:43

Really... you can't say I have a benefit/perk worth xyz when I live nowhere near the place offering it.

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It’s a perk whether you use it or not. I take it you got cost of living payments, and don’t pay for prescriptions. You have no commuting costs, no work related expenses, you have the whole day every day to leisurely browse yellow stickers and deals. You have no time pressures. You can organise your life in whatever way suits you. Yet apparently ‘working people should stump up and stop being miserly’ 🤷‍♀️

littleorangefox · 19/04/2026 22:45

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 22:38

Same with British Gas and Thames Water for me. There is no "UC price".

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Here is a list of most of my household monthly outgoings and the discounts/special rates I receive for them due to being on UC. I'm sure I've probably forgot some. Clearly I receive so much discount that I am completely unaware of how much things cost these days.

Mortgage - 0
Gas & Electricity - 0
Car Insurance - 0
Phones x 2 - 0
Internet - 0
Council Tax - 0
Life Insurance x 2 - 0
Contacts - 0
Road Tax - 0
Home Insurance - 0
Food - 0
Toiletries, nappies, cleaning products etc - 0
Clothes - 0
Diesel - 0
Kids clubs and activities - 0
Dental care - 0

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 22:43

Chocaholick · 19/04/2026 22:41

Ah, the hardships.

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Really... you can't say I have a benefit/perk worth xyz when I live nowhere near the place offering it.

Whatexcellentboiledpotatoes · 19/04/2026 22:43

GiddyLurker · 18/04/2026 22:06

No it’s not. It’s £6k

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£6k is when you start to lose money off your UC entitlement.
It's £4.35 less for every £250 over £6k that you have.
So if you've got £7k, you're getting paid around £20 a month less than before. If you've got £8k, you lose around £40 a month.
And so on and so forth until you reach £16k and are entitled to nothing.

Chocaholick · 19/04/2026 22:41

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 22:40

I live nowhere new Kew Gardens. How is that a perk?

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Ah, the hardships.

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 22:40

littleorangefox · 19/04/2026 22:34

I do not and have never received any of those. And prescriptions are free in Scotland for everyone anyway as are eye tests.

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I live nowhere new Kew Gardens. How is that a perk?

XenoBitch · 19/04/2026 22:38

littleorangefox · 19/04/2026 22:35

Next time I go to Tesco I'm going to tell them I'm on UC to get the special prices.

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Same with British Gas and Thames Water for me. There is no "UC price".

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