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Original poster

Living on benefits

167 replies

Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 15:36

Are there any single mums on here who live successfully on benefits alone? My pregnant daughter who has already got a 2 year old has suddenly found herself alone and much as we would, of course, take her in, it wouldn't be ideal. Would she be entitled to enough to support herself in a house/flat of her own?

OP posts:
Original poster
Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 21:12

DumpedByText · 18/09/2023 21:03

I became a single parent to an 18 month old, I claimed UC, worked 30 hours a week, got 80% of my childcare paid and whilst it was tight, I just about managed.

My parents looked after my daughter two days and the other 3 she went to nursery. I had to top up my rent by £160 as UC never completely covers it.

If she wants a fair standard of living she'll have to work I'm afraid.

I'm sure she'll be happy to work once she has actually given birth and got over that! I can't help with childcare, i work full time.

OP posts:
bingbongbang23 · 18/09/2023 21:13

Can she sort an arrangement with the children father re:maintenance and also shared responsibility. If he was to have children on a weekend, she could work then? He would also still be responsible for paying a set level of maintenance as he only would have kids 2 nights out of 7.

bingbongbang23 · 18/09/2023 21:24

Scrap that- missed the bit about her being pregnant.

If her private rental has more rooms than she needs, can she downsize to something smaller/cheaper. Apply for UC. Aim to get back to work at 6months - even if this is only weekend/evening work when she can get support with childcare.

If possible, could you help bridge the gap for those first 6months?

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Families
Gingerkittykat · 18/09/2023 21:25

Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 21:00

Having a quick google suggests that la housing is a benefit that pays rent on privately rented places and is nearly £900 in my local area. Sounds too good to be true, no?

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Nope, it sounds right if you live in a very expensive part of the country.

The problem is then she might be hit by the benefit cap which is £1835 per month, inclusing child benefit which means she would have 935 to cover everything else.

The only way to lift the benefit cap (for non disabled people) is to earn a minimum of £722 per month after tax and ni.

ilovebrie8 · 18/09/2023 21:41

Am staggered that anyone can get £1,835 in benefits each month that’s more than the average U.K. salary …am really shocked it’s so high !

ilovebrie8 · 18/09/2023 21:42

This is an eye opener to me

TeaKitten · 18/09/2023 21:42

Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 21:00

Having a quick google suggests that la housing is a benefit that pays rent on privately rented places and is nearly £900 in my local area. Sounds too good to be true, no?

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Is that the LHA for a 2 bed place in that area?

Inyournightgarden · 18/09/2023 21:46

Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 16:42

How are people supposed to manage if even their rent isn't covered?

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Getting a job worked wonders for me and seems good to most other people too, just a thought

TeaKitten · 18/09/2023 21:47

Inyournightgarden · 18/09/2023 21:46

Getting a job worked wonders for me and seems good to most other people too, just a thought

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Are you a heavily pregnant single parent needing to get a job right now?

Goodornot · 18/09/2023 21:48

ilovebrie8 · 18/09/2023 21:41

Am staggered that anyone can get £1,835 in benefits each month that’s more than the average U.K. salary …am really shocked it’s so high !

As am I. That's more than I got a month for many years working full time.

ilovebrie8 · 18/09/2023 21:50

Goodornot · 18/09/2023 21:48

As am I. That's more than I got a month for many years working full time.

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Yep it’s quite unbelievable !

comedownwithme · 18/09/2023 21:53

ilovebrie8 · 18/09/2023 21:41

Am staggered that anyone can get £1,835 in benefits each month that’s more than the average U.K. salary …am really shocked it’s so high !

It's not for one person though, as the average salary is. Think about it.

Goodornot · 18/09/2023 22:00

comedownwithme · 18/09/2023 21:53

It's not for one person though, as the average salary is. Think about it.

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Someone with the average salary who has kids - it's not just for one person then is it?

Your salary isn't based on how many people live off it either. How bizarre

sadaboutmycat · 18/09/2023 22:04

In my city, the allowable rent for for a 2 bed is about £120 a week. The lowest rent (if you can find one that accepts UC etc) is £700 pcm.
This Govt don't care. When will people understand that?
OP it is unlikely she will be able to rent a property on UC alone. Citizens Advice should be able to help guide her. Does she have a career she could go back to?

Effervescent999 · 18/09/2023 22:08

she needs to find a job

Inyournightgarden · 18/09/2023 22:11

sadaboutmycat · 18/09/2023 22:04

In my city, the allowable rent for for a 2 bed is about £120 a week. The lowest rent (if you can find one that accepts UC etc) is £700 pcm.
This Govt don't care. When will people understand that?
OP it is unlikely she will be able to rent a property on UC alone. Citizens Advice should be able to help guide her. Does she have a career she could go back to?

Whether the govt care or not is irrelevant if people just take responsibility for themselves.

stop relying on benefits and start working, or working harder

ginandtonicwithlimes · 18/09/2023 22:14

Inyournightgarden · 18/09/2023 22:11

Whether the govt care or not is irrelevant if people just take responsibility for themselves.

stop relying on benefits and start working, or working harder

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What if you can't work? OP'S daughter can't work

Stomacharmeleon · 18/09/2023 22:14

My advice is.... support her, encourage her to wait it out on the council list. Do not encourage her to move in.
She will get support with her finances (universal credit) and rent included.
She can also ask to go on council list nearest you due to partner/ husband leaving her.
Try not to think emotionally (easier said than done I know) but productively. If you house her she stops being a priority and she will be seen to be ok.
You can still support her. You are just better for want or a better word playing the system. Get everything in NOW uc etc.
she will be ok.... it will give her the breathing space to have her baby and get her life in order.

caringcarer · 18/09/2023 22:16

Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 16:42

How are people supposed to manage if even their rent isn't covered?

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A big chunk of her rent will be covered and she will only have to pay some council tax if living there as a lone adult. She could get a job after a few months as she would get child care paid and be entitled to more money.

caringcarer · 18/09/2023 22:21

She definitely needs to be claiming CMS. The father should not be able to just abandon his financial obligations to his family.

Original poster
Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 22:32

caringcarer · 18/09/2023 22:21

She definitely needs to be claiming CMS. The father should not be able to just abandon his financial obligations to his family.

I am telling her this but i think he'd quit his job rather than pay up.

OP posts:
Pleaseme · 18/09/2023 22:37

ilovebrie8 · 18/09/2023 21:41

Am staggered that anyone can get £1,835 in benefits each month that’s more than the average U.K. salary …am really shocked it’s so high !

It's not more than the average UK salary. It's about 10K less than the average UK salary. I'm entitled to roughly the same amount and tbh I don't think I could afford to live on it. By the time you pay housing costs, bills, food etc. Luckily I don't have to I work and take home £2.2k (still less than the national average) get some UC and child benefit and even that's a squeeze as all my costs food, petrol, bills, mortgage have gone up substantially. I work nearly 50 hours a week already and I'm always trying to earn more.

I personally think we need much more affordable housing/ council housing it's nuts that the government will end up paying £900 pcm plus any increases to a private landlord, Over the next 18 years that's potentially £200K! Surely it'd be cheaper for council to build the houses themselves and then they'd own an asset

Starlightstarbright2 · 18/09/2023 22:38

Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 22:32

I am telling her this but i think he'd quit his job rather than pay up.

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That then puts himself in poverty..

My ex doesn’t work if he keeps himself in a low standard of living to avoid paying so be it .

I now support my Ds myself.

Pleaseme · 18/09/2023 22:39

Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 22:32

I am telling her this but i think he'd quit his job rather than pay up.

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Then he can enjoy being poor like she will be. I think the novelty of being skint will wear off pretty quickly. Some men do circumvent this by being self employed/ working cash in hand but it depends what industry he's in.

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 18/09/2023 22:41

What rough area of the country does your dd live in, round me she would probably be rehoused within 3 months, near my sister no chance.

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