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

355 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:

RaininSummer · Yesterday 23:13

34567890A · Yesterday 20:41

I am more surprised that a single unemployed person who is actively seeking work, is left to live on £324.34 a month after they have paid their rent.

I could say it is quite fortunate that they are not under 25 years old, or it would be £238.02 a month after their rent is paid.

Being unemployed when you don't have DC or disabilities is financially crippling!!

The person I know who is attempting to exist on £324.34 a month has worked for the last 38 years in a low paid job, so no opportunity to save, and is quite creative with their finances but even they are finding it a complete grind to even afford to eat!!
They lost their job unexpectedly when the company went bankrupt.
Obviously, they are prepared to do anything at all but no luck in 2 months now, not even an interview!!

There but for the grace of God!

Your figures are wrong. It's still not much but under 25s get 338.58 a month and older adults 424.90. plus the housing costs which don't usually cover private rent though social housing tenants get all of the rent. Young people who live with parents can usually manage but it's tough for those with rent liability.

FedUp120028 · Yesterday 23:13

Hazzaar67 · Yesterday 18:47

If you can't live on £34,000 a year you are doing something wrong. No wonder the welfare Bill is completely through the roof

You are obviously clueless.

theblame · Yesterday 23:27

Half of MN “a whopping 34k?!”
the other half “no I can’t live on less than 100k, anything under that is an awful salary”

Bjorkdidit · Today 05:42

34567890A · Yesterday 20:41

I am more surprised that a single unemployed person who is actively seeking work, is left to live on £324.34 a month after they have paid their rent.

I could say it is quite fortunate that they are not under 25 years old, or it would be £238.02 a month after their rent is paid.

Being unemployed when you don't have DC or disabilities is financially crippling!!

There but for the grace of God!

This. Plus if they live with a partner with a job, they get nothing at all, except a few months of minimal contribution based ESA, or whatever its called now, under £100 pw. Their partner is expected to support them, whether or not they can afford it.

springvegetables · Today 06:23

IdaGlossop · 25/09/2026 14:52

The right, predictably, frames the conversation about reducing the welfare bill as 'life-style choice', an updated version of 'benefit scroungers'. What we should be talking about is how much of the welfare bill is subsidising employers paying low wages and private landlords raking in high rents. 11% of the total welfare bill goes to landlords and 44% of Universal Credit claimants are in work.

This. While everyone is bashing people on universal credit no one seems bothered by the fact people are working full time and still not making ends meet. Yet millionaires/billionaires are getting wealthier at our expense.

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