I'm on UC AMA

[thewonga]

I'm on universal credit and thought it would be interesting to do an AMA. Probably been done before but I'm aware lots of people are on it for lots of reasons.

Also thought it would be interesting to see the assumptions people have regarding it.

I don't have any assumptions. Do you find it a depressingly dehumanising system? When it comes to encouraging you to work more or not take risks (such as to be self employed or return to study), I've found that UC are more keen for you to stay in minimum wage jobs forever. Feels a bit like they want you to know your place. What do you think?

Z

Interesting thoughts. I'm a nurse and husband is in a okay paid corporate job.
It basically enables us to pay for childcare.
I do feel it's quite dehumanising, sometimes I feel I'm just a number to them. It was scary having to go to the local job centre to provide identification. There were a lot of security waiting by the doors.

It enables me to work though so I wouldn't say it encourages people to stay on a minimum wage. As I slowly move up the NHS pay scales I'm able to earn more but the UC bridges the gap between my pay and the cost of nursery fees.

@thewonga I'm surprised you're eligible so your childcare costs must be high. Would you ever not consider going to say a band 7 if you lost your eligibility to UC?

I am not sure there is a lot to ask if you're not at the receiving end of having to rely on this "system" for survival.

I've experienced applying for it from a refuge as my sole income, I've been on it jobless, as a self-employed person and as someone in employment. I've been on UC when homeless with a child, in private rental and as a homeowner. I've been in a refuge completely penny-less with UC refused (a shocking situation ) and I've bought a house in cash whilst receiving the benefits (to juxtapose the situations). I've been in receipt of benefits in the South East of the country and up North too.

I'm still not sure what to make of it all! Just that I was treated the worst when I was in the refuge. I got a compensation later on for that.

@QueenCamilla that's really abysmal. Glad you got compensation. It is a crap system, it seems to let down those who need it. Yet I'm aware of how judgemental I feel when I read posts from SAHP single parents who are having to find work now due to the crackdown on those with school aged kids. I realised that as liberal as I thought I was I don't think UC should be a lifestyle choice so you don't have to work, especially with school aged children. As a single parent who has always worked, I feel these moaning mums who say that it's soooo unfair that they have to prove they're job seeking when they went to carry on trying to make their Crystal selling business take off are giving the rest of us a bad name.

I should add that I am on UC too!

There's this assumption that those on benefits are laughing all the way to the bank at the tax payers expense. Can you debunk this myth please?

"Interesting thoughts. I'm a nurse and husband is in a okay paid corporate job."

Can I ask how much you both earn?

Our childcare is on average 1k a month.
Yes I think progressing does worry me. For example I'm doing some work to hopefully progress to a band 6. I currently work nights with Night Shift enhancement.

To progress to a band 6 9-5 job I'd need to increase my childcare an extra day to earn less money (because of losing the Night Shift enhancement). Therefore I'd probably need more UC support.

However, by requiring from support from UC at first I'd benefit with career progression long term.

That is awful! I'm so glad you got some sort of compensation. Although it doesn't change what happened when you were in that moment.

I have a friend who does not work and claims UC. I find it really frustrating that she happily claims and has more disposable income than me (we are open regarding finances). She complains if they ask her to work. She doesn't have to as she is classed as her child's carer - even though child is in full time education and has wrap around care.

Meanwhile we just cover bills/fees and struggle financially.

My reality is that when the money is received there is no laughing. It a a sigh of relief that I can pay nursery fees whilst at times struggling to get all the nursery fees together to be paid.

Are you London based?

Do you work full time or part time?

What is your combined salary ? And how much UC do you get ?

I assume it's ok to ask these questions AMA 😬

I'm on 20k he's on 35k
We have a car on finance but no other debts, no credits cards or committed monthly payments.

What other benefits/concessions do you receive due to being on UC?

We are outside of London. However house prices match london.

I work part time and my husband works full time. We have a combined salary of 55k.

UC on average gives us £900 a month and nursery fees are on average £1000 a month.

Absolutely fine to ask these questions. AMA gets in the nitty gritty of these things

We were giving the cost of living payments from the government. The £300 payments which went towards energy bills.

Apart from that I don't think there are any benefits. Unless I'm just unaware of those!

@thewonga as a nurse, how are you only on 20K if you don't mind me asking, are you part time?

Yes I'm part time, two shifts a week.

I was hoping this would be an AMA from someone on UC who has it as their sole income due to illness, or are are having to prove job searches to prevent sanctions.
Having UC as a top up wont really inspire many interesting questions or answers.

Sorry this wasn't what you were hoping for. But I made it clear in my OP. And I had some great questions.