Page 25 | To think saving on Universal Credit is extremely difficult?

FirmGreyMember · 2026-04-28T19:42:46+00:00

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?

crassida · 28/04/2026 21:32

How about getting a proper job?

Tableforjoan · 28/04/2026 21:31

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 21:20

Full time? 35+ hours a week?

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You can earn over 60k and be entitled to uc if you hit the criteria. Namely multiple children and renting. Add in some childcare or a child with a disability and you can more than easily be working full time above minimum wage and get uc.

KTheGrey · 28/04/2026 21:30

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 21:19

Their family. Their friends. The community. Charity. Like those working who have no saving would do.

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Their landlord.

ParmaVioletTea · 28/04/2026 21:30

Why would you expect to save from money given to you from the public purse?

It should be just enough to live on.

Coconutter24 · 28/04/2026 21:30

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:21

Im on uc and work part time as im disabled

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You’re not really helping the cause there lol

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:29

I think the problem is uc has changed and people haven't realised they have put everyone in the same group now so uc isn't just a stop gap now its a forever benefit for a lot of people. Its interesting that nobody ever complained when it was called working tax credit now its called uc its a problem

Coconutter24 · 28/04/2026 21:28

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 21:19

Their family. Their friends. The community. Charity. Like those working who have no saving would do.

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You’ve misread that posters comment.

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:26

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 21:26

You don't need to store gruel in the fridge 😅

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🤣🤣🤣

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 21:26

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:25

Do people on benefits not deserve a fridge 🤣🤣

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You don't need to store gruel in the fridge 😅

Stressedoutmummyof3 · 28/04/2026 21:25

rainbowunicorn · 28/04/2026 20:56

Yes, and the point I am making is that benefits shouldn't be a long-term solution. I have never been entitled to any benefits apart from child benefit. I worked full time self employed and then term time to fit round my children. My husband worked 2 jobs. It has only been in the last 5 years that I have been able to save anything. So again, why should someone who is either not working or working just enough hours to maximise their benefit entitlement be in a better position than a family working the equivalent of 2.5 full time jobs?

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Because some people have no choice but to be on benefits. I already know one of my children will never be in a position to work and possibly a second one will not or only limited hours.
They didn't choose to have SEN, along with other health issues, should they be forced to never be allowed to save because people like you think it's not fair. It's not fair that some have healthy NT children and two of mine are ND but I don't complain about the unfairness of that.

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:25

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 21:23

And so they use their initiative and contact friends, family, charity, community.

You cannot expect the government to give those on benefits the sort of excess money whereby they can build up enough to buy a fridge (£000). That’s just not affordable in the UK today. Anyone that thinks it is seriously needs to educate themselves about the dire state of the national finances.

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Do people on benefits not deserve a fridge 🤣🤣

MummytoCSJH · 28/04/2026 21:25

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.

Do you realise that plenty of people work and claim UC as a top up due to the ridiculously tiny wages employers pay them? And that disabled people and their carers claim UC, not just job seekers? Why shouldn't those people have the ability to put aside something towards a small emergency fund?

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 21:25

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 21:23

And so they use their initiative and contact friends, family, charity, community.

You cannot expect the government to give those on benefits the sort of excess money whereby they can build up enough to buy a fridge (£000). That’s just not affordable in the UK today. Anyone that thinks it is seriously needs to educate themselves about the dire state of the national finances.

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I am on UC and am saving up to replace my 20 year old bed and mattress. Is that allowed? I guess a cheap yoga mat on the floor is enough.

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:24

People on benefits still need to be able to save for stuff just like people not on benefits. Being on benefits doesn't mean your boiler doesn't break or your car doesn't break or you should never go on holiday ever again

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 21:23

tellmesomethingtrue · 28/04/2026 21:19

Most people on benefits are actually working.

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And so they use their initiative and contact friends, family, charity, community.

You cannot expect the government to give those on benefits the sort of excess money whereby they can build up enough to buy a fridge (£000). That’s just not affordable in the UK today. Anyone that thinks it is seriously needs to educate themselves about the dire state of the national finances.

KTheGrey · 28/04/2026 21:23

FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 21:01

You’ve reframed my point into something I didn’t say. I never argued people on benefits should be better off than working families. My point was only that having no room to build even a tiny emergency buffer leaves people permanently vulnerable to crisis. Those are two different arguments.

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Benefits are for people who are already in a state of crisis. At that point you have hit the rocks and there is not much point hoping to save for a new crisis - it’s already here.

LadyKenya · 28/04/2026 21:23

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:18

And who helps the ones who are not in receipt of benefits who can’t afford to save either, in the event that their oven or fridge breaks?

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What has that got to do with the fact, that the poster was expressing absolute glee?

Stnam · 28/04/2026 21:23

Judging by the average income in the UK, I imagine most people find it extremely difficult to save.

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:21

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 21:20

Full time? 35+ hours a week?

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Im on uc and work part time as im disabled

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:21

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 21:19

Their family. Their friends. The community. Charity. Like those working who have no saving would do.

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That was my point!

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 21:20

tellmesomethingtrue · 28/04/2026 21:19

Most people on benefits are actually working.

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Full time? 35+ hours a week?

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:20

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.

You do realise the majority of people on uc are either disabled, are carers or are already working

tellmesomethingtrue · 28/04/2026 21:19

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.

Most people on benefits are actually working.

Fluffordirt · 28/04/2026 21:19

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:18

And who helps the ones who are not in receipt of benefits who can’t afford to save either, in the event that their oven or fridge breaks?

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Their family. Their friends. The community. Charity. Like those working who have no saving would do.

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:18

LadyKenya · 28/04/2026 21:10

Really? Why would you feel overjoyed though? That is a strange reaction to have, imo. There is nothing to feel pleasure about, when there are people out there who would really be stumped if their fridge, or oven packed up.

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And who helps the ones who are not in receipt of benefits who can’t afford to save either, in the event that their oven or fridge breaks?