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

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

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

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.

And?

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

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".

I know I don’t that’s what I was trying to tell you

any extra hours has an effective deduction of about 67.6% once income tax, NI and the UC taper are combined, without childcare or commuting costs so i can understand why.

I know someone who is married with children and neither of them will work extra hours/overtime or take on extra responsibilities (for more money), because it messes up their UC. Why would people put in the extra time and effort when they are getting the same or more from the government. It’s a hard one to solve, but its not benefit bashing to say this is not sustainable to keep topping up peoples wages, especially if they are working part time.

Why the need to be rude? I said I was working, so yes, I obviously missed that detail. It’s easy to be unpleasant from behind a keyboard.

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!

It's not a lot though is it. I work part time and earn £30,000, take home is £1900 a month. Renting a 3 bed house here is £1300 a month, council tax £250, gas and electric £300. That's would be all my pay gone. That's without internet, phone, TV, food, fuel, any days out! I have two degrees and work, if I was a single parent I couldn't afford to house my 2 children in a standard 3 bed house.

I won’t comment again. You seem to think I’m some sort of half wit. I’m on the bones of my arse and struggle each month. Everything is getting more expensive food shopping, bills etc. I work full time and think what’s the point. I’ll say it again I’ve been told my earnings are over the threshold for UC . Do you not think I’ve tried to get something. Years ago I’d get tax credits but they stopped obviously.

Nobody should be getting it on £34k, that’s completely ridiculous.

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

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

As Lakielady says, who I believe has way more than even my 15 years experience in welfare benefits, the UC helpline, poorly named, is not the best place to ask. That's the reason there are so many advice services. God help me I've just had to leave the sector. You are better off using a trusted online benefits calculator or just make a claim for UC online. I am very interested to know what reason you were given for non entitlement. From what you've said your savings are less than £16k? I'm assuming also you have no other income from property/annuities similar?

When did I say UC had singled me out?

I don’t regard you as a half wit @catspam79

but I don’t think DWP has singled you out to deny you UC you are entitled to.

If you aren’t getting, you’re not entitled. It’s that simple.

I won’t comment again. You seem to think I’m some sort of half wit. I’m on the bones of my arse and struggle each month. Everything is getting more expensive food shopping, bills etc. I work full time and think what’s the point. I’ll say it again I’ve been told my earnings are over the threshold for UC . Do you not think I’ve tried to get something. Years ago I’d get tax credits but they stopped obviously.