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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to be surprised someone on £34,000 receives Universal Credit?

358 replies

Balicious · 25/09/2026 14:37

I was listening to BBC Radio 5 Live at work yesterday morning. They were discussing the Conservatives’ proposal to stop people spending benefits on alcohol, cigarettes, etc.—but that isn’t what my question is about.
One caller said she earns £34,000 a year as a trainee social worker and receives an additional £500 a month in Universal Credit. She didn’t mention having children, paying rent or having a disability—she simply said she struggles to live on £34,000 and needs Universal Credit to top up her wages.
What is going on? That’s more than I earn! Could I apply for a top-up too? Has anyone else heard of someone working full-time and earning well above minimum wage having their salary topped up by Universal Credit? I just couldn't get over what I was hearing!

OP posts:
roaringdragon · 25/09/2026 20:24

Kirbert2 · 25/09/2026 20:20

My best guess is housing element and/or childcare.

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Many will be eligible for those, yes, but the poster I quoted was responding to a single parent with 1 DC who said she isn’t eligible, and the poster I quoted said “a single parent on £34k with a dependent and presuming fits the parameters - would get UC.” so I was explaining that it is possible for a single parent with 1 DC to not be eligible even if they earn £34k.

Kirbert2 · 25/09/2026 20:24

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:21

There is no way those on £45k should be busting a gut in jobs that have more stress to fund others just getting given the difference. It needs to stop!

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They can just move house if necessary and get a higher paid job. It's easy.

sandwalk · 25/09/2026 20:23

Plsfindattached · 25/09/2026 20:16

What a surprise. You changed your user name just to post on this thread. I wonder what your posting history would tell us about you and your continuances 🤔

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People have to change their user name on here because of stalkers.

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:22

Plsfindattached · 25/09/2026 20:16

What a surprise. You changed your user name just to post on this thread. I wonder what your posting history would tell us about you and your continuances 🤔

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I change my name every time I post as do many.

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:21

Kirbert2 · 25/09/2026 20:18

With the cost of living, out of control rents, high cost childcare etc I doubt it.

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There is no way those on £45k should be busting a gut in jobs that have more stress to fund others just getting given the difference. It needs to stop!

Kirbert2 · 25/09/2026 20:20

roaringdragon · 25/09/2026 20:18

Unless they have another element, a single person on £34k with 1 DC wouldn’t be eligible for UC. That applies even if they don’t have any savings/other capital.

The calculation is:
Standard element £424.90
Child element £351.88
=Total UC award £776.78

Say earnings of £2.5k per month (which is more than £34k would be but for ease of calculation) - work allowance
£2500 - £710 = £1790

Earning deduction
£1790 x 0.55 = £984.50

So, as you can see, the earning deduction would wipe out the UC award.

The elements are slightly less if the single adult is younger than 25 or their DC wasn’t born before 6/4/2017.

Show quote history

My best guess is housing element and/or childcare.

roaringdragon · 25/09/2026 20:18

Plsfindattached · 25/09/2026 18:47

Oh @catspam79

If you aren’t receiving it - you’re not entitled to it for some reason. But a single parent on £34k with a dependent and presuming fits the parameters - would get UC. You don’t because … you don’t

Edited
Show quote history

Unless they have another element, a single person on £34k with 1 DC wouldn’t be eligible for UC. That applies even if they don’t have any savings/other capital.

The calculation is:
Standard element £424.90
Child element £351.88
=Total UC award £776.78

Say earnings of £2.5k per month (which is more than £34k would be but for ease of calculation) - work allowance
£2500 - £710 = £1790

Earning deduction
£1790 x 0.55 = £984.50

So, as you can see, the earning deduction would wipe out the UC award.

The elements are slightly less if the single adult is younger than 25 or their DC wasn’t born before 6/4/2017.

Kirbert2 · 25/09/2026 20:18

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:16

As I said anybody on £34k with CB and maintenance does not need UC. If you want more sort it yourself. It’s not the responsibility of the state. Surely the government is looking to stop this .

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With the cost of living, out of control rents, high cost childcare etc I doubt it.

aliceyyyy2654 · 25/09/2026 20:17

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:16

As I said anybody on £34k with CB and maintenance does not need UC. If you want more sort it yourself. It’s not the responsibility of the state. Surely the government is looking to stop this .

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Why do you think 34k is a high salary? It isn’t

aliceyyyy2654 · 25/09/2026 20:17

Plsfindattached · 25/09/2026 20:16

What a surprise. You changed your user name just to post on this thread. I wonder what your posting history would tell us about you and your continuances 🤔

Show quote history

What was it?

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:16

Kirbert2 · 25/09/2026 20:14

Moving also costs money. Not to mention finding a new job (which may pay less and still be on UC anyway).

Or moving a child away from their father if the father is involved.

As I said anybody on £34k with CB and maintenance does not need UC. If you want more sort it yourself. It’s not the responsibility of the state. Surely the government is looking to stop this .

Plsfindattached · 25/09/2026 20:16

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:08

So CB on top and maintenance!! You’d be in the equivalent of the higher tax band!

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What a surprise. You changed your user name just to post on this thread. I wonder what your posting history would tell us about you and your continuances 🤔

Kettledodger · 25/09/2026 20:15

My DH and I are on benefits as he is disabled and I am his carer. We live in the midlands and rent. We struggle, I really feel for those who are on less. Our rent for a small 2 bedroom, over 120yo Victorian terrace is £205 over what housing allowance is. We are all feeling the energy crisis with our EPC at a very low D almost a E, which also feeds into everyone’s food bills. Whatever the situation EVERYONE is feeling the pinch at the moment.

Kirbert2 · 25/09/2026 20:14

Moving also costs money. Not to mention finding a new job (which may pay less and still be on UC anyway).

Or moving a child away from their father if the father is involved.

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:14

Plsfindattached · 25/09/2026 20:13

You were a single parent of 2 dependents in a 1 bed flat? And moved 100 miles away to a different cheaper place even though it meant new job, schools etc?

Edited
Show quote history

Nobody on £34k, CB and maintenance needs or should have universal benefit.

Plsfindattached · 25/09/2026 20:13

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:11

Yep, we had to. There is zero need for anybody on £34k to be getting benefits.

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You were a single parent of 2 dependents in a 1 bed flat? And moved 100 miles away to a different cheaper place even though it meant new job, schools etc?

aliceyyyy2654 · 25/09/2026 20:13

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:11

Yep, we had to. There is zero need for anybody on £34k to be getting benefits.

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You clearly do not understand.

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:11

aliceyyyy2654 · 25/09/2026 20:10

Away from work, friends, family? I’d have to move over 100 miles to get anywhere remotely cheaper. Don’t be so ignorant

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Yep, we had to. There is zero need for anybody on £34k to be getting benefits.

aliceyyyy2654 · 25/09/2026 20:10

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:08

Move like the rest of us have to.

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Away from work, friends, family? I’d have to move over 100 miles to get anywhere remotely cheaper. Don’t be so ignorant

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:08

aliceyyyy2654 · 25/09/2026 20:00

A good wage? That wouldn’t even cover the cost of a 1 bedroom flat where I live.

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Move like the rest of us have to.

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:08

Plsfindattached · 25/09/2026 20:04

So if you’re a single mother with two children on this salary… then you’d genuinely benefit from UC wouldn’t you? I thought that was fairly obvious

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So CB on top and maintenance!! You’d be in the equivalent of the higher tax band!

Anyahyacinth · 25/09/2026 20:06

Pluto46 · 25/09/2026 15:24

Public sector workers are rarely held to account in the same way private sectors employees are- you have to be spectacularly shit to be got rid of and, even then, you'll likely be paid off rather then sacked. Other than that, anything else that comes with an organization that never has to worry about being credible, efficient or cost effective, I suppose.

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Grenfell? Accountability for the private sector?

Privatisation ..water?You seriously believe this private sector is credible, efficient or cost effective?

US healthcare charges over the NHS? This is such an ill informed post

Just look at the breast care scandal in the UK this week and see where the profit motive takes you …or kids dying in the US because an inhaler jumps from $69 to $699 in a month…yes 1 inhaler. Or a $200 dollar fee to be handed your baby you just gave birth too

Plsfindattached · 25/09/2026 20:04

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:03

And?

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So if you’re a single mother with two children on this salary… then you’d genuinely benefit from UC wouldn’t you? I thought that was fairly obvious

SkyRaisin · 25/09/2026 20:03

aliceyyyy2654 · 25/09/2026 20:00

A good wage? That wouldn’t even cover the cost of a 1 bedroom flat where I live.

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And?

aliceyyyy2654 · 25/09/2026 20:00

OonaStubbs · 25/09/2026 19:55

Benefits are out of control. It is ridiculous that someone earning £34,000 which is a good wage by any standards, receives a top-up. Regardless of "circumstances".

A good wage? That wouldn’t even cover the cost of a 1 bedroom flat where I live.