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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think saving on Universal Credit is extremely difficult?

663 replies

FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 20:42

It feels like Universal Credit doesn’t really leave much room for saving once basic living costs are covered. I know in theory people say to put even small amounts aside but in practice it seems very difficult when most of the money goes on essentials.

AIBU to think there’s very little opportunity to build savings on UC?

OP posts:
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5
WanderingWellies · 28/04/2026 23:06

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 20:47

It’s supposed to tide you over until you get working again. If you’ve got enough to save then you’re being given too much.

So if someone is on benefits they shouldn’t be able to put a small amount aside for things like school uniform? Or birthday/Xmas presents? I doubt the OP is talking about trying to save tens of thousands just to have it in the bank, not least because that would actually make them ineligible for UC.

Sensiblesal · 28/04/2026 23:05

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 22:58

If your only income is from the taxpayer, no, you shouldn’t have Netflix. The taxpayer shouldn’t be paying for disabled people to have Netflix. It’s a waste of money.

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You can’t really think this?

I’d rather people budgeted £6 for netflix over having to waste £150 quid or whatever on a tv licence.

do you see how wrong you are here. Surely the government should mandate netflix and save £100 a year per disabled person.

you must be trolling cos no one seriously thinks like this. I can’t believe people begrudge people so much. I mean I said its not meant to be there to amass savings but my god, people still need a basic standard of living. We don’t have workhouses anymore

EilonwyWithRedGoldHair · 28/04/2026 23:05

crassida · 28/04/2026 21:48

Don’t have children if you can’t afford it

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So I should have foreseen that my one child was going to be autistic, that a global pandemic was going to put DH out of a job and, as DS problems became more apparent and he started refusing to go to school, he was going to be unable to get another job but would have to earn what he could from turning his hobby into a job. Then when we were just about managing I got made redundant and so far have only been able to get part-time work.

Though don't worry, my redundancy payment means we're not eligible for UC. But judge away because we do get DLA and CA and clearly I should have planned my life better.

youalright · 28/04/2026 23:05

TableTopTree · 28/04/2026 23:04

Being on benefits automatically confirms that that you are not paying your way.

To expect to be able to save???

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I have paid tax and ni for over 20 years

Northermcharn · 28/04/2026 23:05

ForWittyTealOP · 28/04/2026 23:03

Budget better then.

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I didn't say I couldn't afford it. But I wouldn't expect you to understand the difference

PyongyangKipperbang · 28/04/2026 23:04

GiaGia16 · 28/04/2026 23:03

What has that to do with Netflix?

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You have the chance to find something else to do, a disabled person doesnt.

TableTopTree · 28/04/2026 23:04

youalright · 28/04/2026 23:03

Not being on benefits doesn't automatically make you a net contributor. If you are a net recipient your not helping much either.

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Being on benefits automatically confirms that that you are not paying your way.

To expect to be able to save???

youalright · 28/04/2026 23:03

TableTopTree · 28/04/2026 23:01

Why didn't your critical illness insurance policy, or your income protection policy pay out when you claimed on it due to your disability?

Nobody's saying people living with disabilities can't have Netflix, just the disabled people who, for whatever reason, chose to just chance it without such a policy.

Your neighbour's takes shouldn't be paying for you to have Netflix FFS.

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Because my condition is congenital

PyongyangKipperbang · 28/04/2026 23:03

TableTopTree · 28/04/2026 23:01

Why didn't your critical illness insurance policy, or your income protection policy pay out when you claimed on it due to your disability?

Nobody's saying people living with disabilities can't have Netflix, just the disabled people who, for whatever reason, chose to just chance it without such a policy.

Your neighbour's takes shouldn't be paying for you to have Netflix FFS.

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My son didnt have those policies because it was being born when he received the brain injury that led to his disability.

youalright · 28/04/2026 23:03

TableTopTree · 28/04/2026 22:58

If you're on benefits, you've already dropped off the edge, you're not contributing to society.

I'm just about happy with the idea of my taxes paying for the bare minimum of sustistance for you, but do you really think I shoud be funding your savings?

Would you knock on your neighbour's door and ask them for £50 to add to your savings?

Because that's exactly what you're expecting.

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Not being on benefits doesn't automatically make you a net contributor. If you are a net recipient your not helping much either.

ForWittyTealOP · 28/04/2026 23:03

Northermcharn · 28/04/2026 22:51

I don't drink. It costs too much.

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Budget better then.

GiaGia16 · 28/04/2026 23:03

PyongyangKipperbang · 28/04/2026 23:02

Difference is, you can leave the house without help.

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What has that to do with Netflix?

TableTopTree · 28/04/2026 23:02

PyongyangKipperbang · 28/04/2026 23:00

Wow.

Genuinely gobsmacked that you are standing by that comment.

No one chooses to become disabled, and yet you resent them spending SIX POUNDS a month to watch TV?! REALLY?!

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They chose not to prioritise protecting themselves and their family though.

PyongyangKipperbang · 28/04/2026 23:02

GiaGia16 · 28/04/2026 23:01

Many non disabled people are cancelling their Netflix subscriptions. The entitlement on here….

Difference is, you can leave the house without help.

TableTopTree · 28/04/2026 23:01

youalright · 28/04/2026 22:56

I have netflix to why can't disabled people have netflix?

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Why didn't your critical illness insurance policy, or your income protection policy pay out when you claimed on it due to your disability?

Nobody's saying people living with disabilities can't have Netflix, just the disabled people who, for whatever reason, chose to just chance it without such a policy.

Your neighbour's takes shouldn't be paying for you to have Netflix FFS.

PyongyangKipperbang · 28/04/2026 23:01

youalright · 28/04/2026 22:59

So are disabled people just suppose to stare at the wall all day.

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Yes, apparently you should! Then you will learn your lesson that you should not have chosen to be disabled!

GiaGia16 · 28/04/2026 23:01

Many non disabled people are cancelling their Netflix subscriptions. The entitlement on here….

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 23:00

youalright · 28/04/2026 22:59

So are disabled people just suppose to stare at the wall all day.

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There’s normal tv. Christ the taxpayer isn’t obliged to fund your entertainment. I can’t believe I am having to point this out!

PyongyangKipperbang · 28/04/2026 23:00

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 22:58

If your only income is from the taxpayer, no, you shouldn’t have Netflix. The taxpayer shouldn’t be paying for disabled people to have Netflix. It’s a waste of money.

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Wow.

Genuinely gobsmacked that you are standing by that comment.

No one chooses to become disabled, and yet you resent them spending SIX POUNDS a month to watch TV?! REALLY?!

Pessismistic · 28/04/2026 23:00

DreamyJade · 28/04/2026 22:48

PIP is not a means-tested benefit. You can get PIP if you’re disabled, even if you’re not entitled to UC. You could earn £100K a year and still get PIP. You’re effectively saying that disabled people shouldn’t have holidays.

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No I’m not saying that im saying people I know on pip can save up and afford holidays. I know how pip works I’m making a point to the op people on benefits can save it is possible.

youalright · 28/04/2026 22:59

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 22:58

If your only income is from the taxpayer, no, you shouldn’t have Netflix. The taxpayer shouldn’t be paying for disabled people to have Netflix. It’s a waste of money.

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So are disabled people just suppose to stare at the wall all day.

TableTopTree · 28/04/2026 22:58

FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 20:50

That’s not really the point I was making. I wasn’t saying benefits should leave people able to build significant savings, just that having little to no room to put aside even a small emergency buffer can leave people permanently on the edge financially.

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If you're on benefits, you've already dropped off the edge, you're not contributing to society.

I'm just about happy with the idea of my taxes paying for the bare minimum of sustistance for you, but do you really think I shoud be funding your savings?

Would you knock on your neighbour's door and ask them for £50 to add to your savings?

Because that's exactly what you're expecting.

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 22:58

youalright · 28/04/2026 22:56

I have netflix to why can't disabled people have netflix?

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If your only income is from the taxpayer, no, you shouldn’t have Netflix. The taxpayer shouldn’t be paying for disabled people to have Netflix. It’s a waste of money.

Maized · 28/04/2026 22:57

FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 22:20

If you mean benefits being designed to cover basics only, perhaps. My point is that having no realistic room to build even a tiny emergency buffer can leave people permanently financially vulnerable.

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I haven't read all the replies you've had OP, but I used to work for a local council helping people apply for hardship fund. It was a small pot of money that you could apply for, and I helped people get it to buy a second hand replacement washing machine, or replace water damaged carpet, or to get some furniture when moving into an unfurnished place. Those kinds of one off emergencies/expenses you're talking about. Benefits aren't designes to be saved, as others have said, so this fills the gap. I've just seen its changed name to this: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2029/the-crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2029#:~:text=The%20Crisis%20and%20Resilience%20Fund,specified%20funding%20for%20housing%20support

Crisis and Resilience Fund: Guidance for local authorities in England (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2029/the-crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2029#:~:text=The%20Crisis%20and%20Resilience%20Fund,specified%20funding%20for%20housing%20support

youalright · 28/04/2026 22:56

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 22:55

This is what winds me up. I work in the area of public spending. There is ZERO leeway in the money we have. We desperately need to stop the national debt increasingly endlessly, and yet we have people on benefits with Netflix. If you have enough to get Netflix then you are receiving more in benefits than you need and the government needs to address this excess spending. Anything they can save will put off the point at which this country drowns in the sea of welfare payments being chucked around. I can’t believe so many posters don’t understand this. How can you be so economically illiterate?

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I have netflix to why can't disabled people have netflix?