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AMA
Original poster

I’m a single mum claiming a UC top up AMA

543 replies

cadburyegg · 20/10/2025 18:35

There’s a lot of negative press and misinformation about benefit claimants so thought I’d start a thread. I work nearly full time and have 2 children. Ask away.

OP posts:
Overthebow · 20/10/2025 21:49

Sweetbubblegum · 20/10/2025 21:46

No, you use a babysitter.

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Baby sitters are expensive, more expensive than nursery. If someone’s on a low wage, after taxes it could cost more for the baby sitter than the extra wages.

Original poster
cadburyegg · 20/10/2025 21:50

Holluschickie · 20/10/2025 21:29

If your ex can't get a job he could at least do more childcare.😡

I have spent nearly 5 years encouraging him to have the children more. I’ve given up now. I think I said up thread that he has the children EOW plus Monday nights plus more in the holidays. He pushed back on the arrangement a few months ago, saying it was too much for him. Some direct quotes from his text messages:

“I can’t take on any evening work because of the toing and froing.”
”The less work I have the longer I won’t be able to pay maintenance”
”I’m happy to get another job but I won’t be able to have them as much as I do”

He is having them most of half term next week which I’m feeling very guilty about because I know they will spend most of the week in front of a screen. So whilst it is harder for me atm I don’t think it’s actually in their best interests for them to spend more time there

OP posts:
Original poster
cadburyegg · 20/10/2025 21:53

tellmesomethingtrue · 20/10/2025 21:34

You earn £10k more than me… can I claim UC?

It depends on your circumstances.

Monthly wage
Housing costs (rent only)
Number of children
Childcare costs
Any disability (yourself or children)
Carer’s allowance

Possibly other elements I’ve forgotten.

If you want to legitimately check the best way to do it is to make a claim online. They’ll tell you within a few weeks if you’re eligible or not. If you’re not eligible then you just won’t get anything.

OP posts:
Original poster
cadburyegg · 20/10/2025 21:54

Skippingaround · 20/10/2025 21:37

I think you are doing really well OP, the benefits system is also there as a top up-which I think some people don't get the idea of it. You shouldn't be working anymore than you already are or finding an extra job-that is just ridiculous as a single parent and would drive you into the ground. I'm glad that your mortgage is low and therefore not a source of huge stress. All the best going forward 🥰

Thank you for your kind comments x

OP posts:
Original poster
cadburyegg · 20/10/2025 21:54

Sweetbubblegum · 20/10/2025 21:46

No, you use a babysitter.

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I’ve already answered up thread why working full time or working more hours isn’t an option for me at the moment

OP posts:
Original poster
cadburyegg · 20/10/2025 21:56

Simonjt · 20/10/2025 19:47

This is changing next academic year when you are youe children will benefit from FSM, so that should hopefully help with the food bill if their school has decent food on offer.

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Sorry I forgot to reply to this. Yes, I’m aware the eligibility is changing next year which will be a huge help now mine are both in KS2.

OP posts:
Original poster
cadburyegg · 20/10/2025 21:57

I’m off to bed now folks and I am working tomorrow. Feel free to post more questions. it will take me longer to reply for the rest of the week as I’m either working or parenting 90% of the rest of the week. Just bear with me !

OP posts:
Gruffporcupine · 20/10/2025 21:57

What's your housing situation?

purpleme12 · 20/10/2025 21:59

Simonjt · 20/10/2025 19:47

This is changing next academic year when you are youe children will benefit from FSM, so that should hopefully help with the food bill if their school has decent food on offer.

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What is changing about free school meals next year?

limescale · 20/10/2025 22:00

Gruffporcupine · 20/10/2025 21:57

What's your housing situation?

If you read all OP's posts she has answered this already.

MrFluffyDogIsMyBestFriend · 20/10/2025 22:01

£170 a month is barely worth mentioning OP!

ChaliceinWonderland · 20/10/2025 22:05

Prescriptions are free too on UC. I'm same as you, work FT , single mum, no CMS from ex. I claim UC, it saves us from poverty. I have 2 degrees snd work in s school and use food banks.

limescale · 20/10/2025 22:06

MrFluffyDogIsMyBestFriend · 20/10/2025 22:01

£170 a month is barely worth mentioning OP!

I think that was kind of the point - to help with the misinformation and negative press.

GrinchWithAConscience · 20/10/2025 22:12

cadburyegg · 20/10/2025 21:35

I am not an expert on the system but I am not aware of many circumstances where people can get away with not working and claiming “thousands”. Maybe for those with multiple disabled children in which case I don’t begrudge them a penny, having a disabled child is really expensive from what I understand. A single person with no kids is eligible for about £400 UC per month excluding housing costs. If they are eligible for housing costs on top of that then they would end up with even less if the local housing allowance is less than their rent. Not exactly riches.

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and are you going to pay for it

herbalteabag · 20/10/2025 22:14

ChaliceinWonderland · 20/10/2025 22:05

Prescriptions are free too on UC. I'm same as you, work FT , single mum, no CMS from ex. I claim UC, it saves us from poverty. I have 2 degrees snd work in s school and use food banks.

I get UC but am not entitled to free prescriptions, that stopped after tax credits for me. It depends on your income.

YourWildAmberSloth · 20/10/2025 22:15

summerlovingvibes · 20/10/2025 19:47

This thread is really enlightening! I earn a similar amount (actually if not less) and also have 2 children. 1 at school and 1 in pre school.
I work extra hours if possible and pick up random evening work that I can do from home such as paid market research etc. Never considered claiming UC.
So I'm interested that others in this situation do.
@AgathaMayhem I'm now thinking maybe it would benefit me to reduce to part time if there is that option to then be in a position to claim more - how lovely if you ha be the choice to do that and the state just top you up!

I earn more than OP, £46,500 with 1DC and receive UC as well. I didn't actually set out to claim it. I was working full-time until my son was born - he's 14 now. I went back to work part-time and had high child care costs so was receiving working and child tax credits. I migrated to UC, but was back in full-time work by then so just assumed I wouldn't qualify for anything or would get a nil award. However, I still get something, which surprised me. I wouldn't have actively gone out and made a claim on my income, as would have thought I was ineligible but I'm grateful for what I get.

Frannieisnthappy · 20/10/2025 22:16

ChaliceinWonderland · 20/10/2025 22:05

Prescriptions are free too on UC. I'm same as you, work FT , single mum, no CMS from ex. I claim UC, it saves us from poverty. I have 2 degrees snd work in s school and use food banks.

Depends on the UC circumstances on whether someone recieves prescription costs, dental treatment etc - not everyone in receipt of UC will.

purpleme12 · 20/10/2025 22:16

ChaliceinWonderland · 20/10/2025 22:05

Prescriptions are free too on UC. I'm same as you, work FT , single mum, no CMS from ex. I claim UC, it saves us from poverty. I have 2 degrees snd work in s school and use food banks.

It says about free prescriptions on UC here

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/help-with-health-costs-for-people-getting-universal-credit/

Many people on UC won't qualify for free prescriptions from this

nhs.uk

Help with health costs for people getting Universal Credit

If you receive Universal Credit, you may also qualify for help with health costs.

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/help-with-health-costs-for-people-getting-universal-credit

limescale · 20/10/2025 22:23

YourWildAmberSloth · 20/10/2025 22:15

I earn more than OP, £46,500 with 1DC and receive UC as well. I didn't actually set out to claim it. I was working full-time until my son was born - he's 14 now. I went back to work part-time and had high child care costs so was receiving working and child tax credits. I migrated to UC, but was back in full-time work by then so just assumed I wouldn't qualify for anything or would get a nil award. However, I still get something, which surprised me. I wouldn't have actively gone out and made a claim on my income, as would have thought I was ineligible but I'm grateful for what I get.

Edited
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Does it make you feel disinclined to save so that your UC is not reduced?
I don't mean that in a goady way.

Switcher · 20/10/2025 22:27

This whole country is living beyond its means. We need policies for more economic growth to lift average wages. Everyone will go on about how 35k is heaps of money, but unless you're a single 20 something, it just isn't.

everychildmatters · 20/10/2025 22:28

@YourWildAmberSloth Do you mean you never went back full-time after having your son?

everychildmatters · 20/10/2025 22:29

@Switcher I don't think 35k is bad if you are only paying £660 rent and also getting other benefits?

YourWildAmberSloth · 20/10/2025 22:33

limescale · 20/10/2025 22:23

Does it make you feel disinclined to save so that your UC is not reduced?
I don't mean that in a goady way.

Show quote history

Not at all. I save, because having something to fall back on makes more sense to me than trying to hold onto £198 a month UC. I am hoping to increase my earnings when I restart my second job and expect to lose UC.

hmnj · 20/10/2025 22:42

cadburyegg · 20/10/2025 18:52

Difficult question to answer. I think whoever sets salary scales assumes a dual income household. However, I am about 2/3 of the way up my employer’s pay scale. I work in a skilled job which requires a degree.

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How is your children’s’ father getting away with pretending to earn so little?

This is causing you to have to claim from the govt - and when this is repeated by hundreds of thousands of fathers spanning entire childhoods, it ends up costing so much of taxpayers’ money.

Why don’t the govt. investigate people like him? It just seems appalling to not bother paying for his kids and the govt ending up paying.

limescale · 20/10/2025 22:45

everychildmatters · 20/10/2025 22:29

@Switcher I don't think 35k is bad if you are only paying £660 rent and also getting other benefits?

....and raising children?
The £660 is a mortgage. Running a home is (usually) more expensive if you are the owner rather than a tenant.