To ask why Universal Credit is so terrible? (Not goady)

[evilharpy]

I've seen several threads (one today about food banks which I can't seem to find now) where people have had some strong things to say about Universal Credit and the feeling seems to be that it is contributing to the poverty problem and forcing people to rely on food banks and causing more problems than it's helping with.

I'm wondering what exactly makes it so terrible and why it's so much worse than what came before it. Google hasn't been much help as most of the results are just official links on how to apply for it etc. But it seems to be that it's paid monthly rather than weekly or fortnightly and there's a long wait to get it?

I would just like to understand a bit more about it. And I don't mean this to be in any way insensitive or goady.

My youngest two get the 30 hours, it’s 8.40 until 11.40 Monday to Friday. Where, pray tell, could I get a job that would accommodate those hours (mindful of travel time as well)?

Can you explain those hours?!!

I think the whole thing isn’t being implemented badly (unsurprisingly) but I don’t think the government should be paying anyone to be a SAHM. I would have loved to SAH with my own children but we couldn’t afford it on DH’s wage, so I couldn’t and has to work.

That’s sort of how it works, isn’t it? If you can’t afford it, you can’t do it.

A savings pot when you develop a chronic health problem, is quickly used up. I was off for 3 months, I got about £70 a week statutory sick pay, no help with mortgage.

to be fair, the company I work for is in a competitive industry.

Most industries are competitive.

Nobody is taking about anyone with a health condition or disability. Becoming ill or disabled is completely different to deciding to have a child in an unstable relationship when you can't afford to.

I would say the waiting time at the start of a claim.

I’m a twat, it’s not 30 hours mine get its 15. Sorry Christmas brain fart.

Crazycat - I don't entirely disagree. The longer I work in social care the mite arguably right wing I get. Mums I have met at work talk about planning another baby and I am starting to privately think 'oh really? Accrued any cash since the last one?' Don't get me wrong I never think 'blah taxpayers money' or anything but I do think if you have been consistently benefit reliant then planning further kids is quite negligent really

I explained above if you are live alone, are sick and/or disabled and receive PIP care component you are entitled to a severe disability premium of an extra £60 a week to help with living costs. I fit this criteria and get the severe disability premium. I explained how under Univerisal Credit this severe disability premium has been abolished. I said I worked out using the entitledto benefits site I would be getting £36 less a week when I switch to universal credit. I have just run my details through again and I was wrong I will be getting £49 less a week.

Abolishing the severe disability premium under Universal Credit is a huge cut for the very sick and disabled. And across the board the amount people getting under universal credit will be less.

I am amazed to read that people still think those 30 hours childcare are free!

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/dec/03/free-childcare-claim-withdrawn-advertising-watchdog

It's certainly not a policy designed to help the poor, either:

https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/nursery-world/news/1162238/exclusive-30-hours-saves-poorest-parents-least

As for UC, yes it's predecessors had their faults, but none was deliberately designed to create destitution. That is the difference.

Re rent payments: The change to paying rent to the claimant rather than to the landlord is going to cause many problems. Never mind those with addiction issues, anyone who is struggling financially is going to be tempted to use some of their rent money for other things, if they money is sitting in their bank account.

If the kids desperately need new school shoes, if an unexpectedly high bill arrives...anything. They may fully intend to return the money, to 'get back on track' but how are they going to do that when there's no spare money?

And having to apply for UC online with NO OPTION to apply in other ways, is immediately going to exclude many people from applying in the first place (which is what the government wants, of course). People who can't access a computer, or help to use on.

It's a fiasco.

Not really. I was with XH 5 years, married and had DS1 after 3 years. Got battered regularly and escaped.

And if it wasn't an abusive relationship before you got pregnant, then like everyone else reasonable I'd have every sympathy for you. If it was abusive (even if not physically) before you got pregnant, I'd question your judgement. So many people - not saying you are one of them - seem to think a child will mend a relationship or keep it from falling apart.

Was with DP less than a year when I fell pregnant with DD, DS2 followed 11 months later, not married yet a far, far better relationship.

Excellent, hope it continues, but was a risk because you frankly didn't know him from a hole in the wall.

Mumsnet is a nightmare to be honest, in that obviously it highlights all the idiots who for example are pregnant and not even with the partners of their children now, let alone when they're born (and there seem so many of them).

Anyway, whether people consider it "Handmaid's Tale" or not, many people are not giving their kids a fair chance in life, and then complaining when they don't think the State gives the lifestyle that they want for them. People need to take responsibility for themselves, and cut their clothes according to their cloth.

Loads of people who don't claim any benefits are limited to one or two children, because they don't feel they can afford more and give the lifestyle they would like. Why shouldn't the same apply?

It requires recipients to be:—organised;
to budget and financially plan for each month;
And to be on top of basic financial administration

Basically to be an adult.
That’s obviously going to cause consternation for many.

What should happen to those people who aren't mature, intelligent, organised, responsible etc? Should they be left to sleep rough and starve? Some people are simply unemployable, people are complicated, lives can be chaotic, shit happens. Every time a thread like this pops up I ask this. Nobody seems willing to actually say let them starve but that's what will happen and it's not right. UC isn't fit for purpose it seems and should be scrapped.

@LoisWilkersonsLastNerve well said!

LoisWilkersonsLastNerve

universal credit streamlines all the different benefits available making it a LOT simpler to access and determine all that one is entitled to.

@Wishingandwaiting and during the 6 week wait? And don’t feed me all that flannel about interim payments and all that shite because my friend just got £50 to last her and 2 children 3 fucking weeks under the UC scheme, so it’s bullshit.

It requires recipients to be:—organised;
to budget and financially plan for each month;
And to be on top of basic financial administration

Basically to be an adult.
That’s obviously going to cause consternation for many.

Each of those things need a regular income without worry or fear.
As already stated Disabled people are being moved over to UC and are losing money.

In theory, I agree with it. Kind of like the bedroom tax actually. Its the implementation thats all wrong.

Also agree with others that its to force people off benefits. Which again, is not a bad thing in theory, but fails to take into account the fact that there are not enough jobs for all of these people we are basically punishing for being out of work.

Sanctions are pure evil though. I don't see how they are legal. A friend of mine was sanctioned a few years back as her child fell down the stairs and she had to take her to A+E. The sanction was eventually reversed mind. But still...common sense.

It will all work out.

We are not good at change in this country. The furore in the local council offices that I worked in during student summer holidays. About what? A change in the office seating arrangements. I saw women crying and wringing their hands beciae they’d been moved 6 foot.

It will work out, bed in, and all will be fine.

And i should probably say that under UC i will be £250 a month “worse off” than under current system. But in terms of the broader picture, I still think it’s a good idea.

@Wishingandwaiting, how do you feel that the most sick and disabled are going to lose £50 a week with the severe disability premium? I am grateful that I live in a country that supports when I became sick but losing £50 a week under universal credit is a big loss.

Also there is no doubt that all universal credit rates are less, even for those restricted to only get tax credits to two children for any children born past April 2017. So thsoe with two children will get less now under UC than under the separate benefits system.

Here’s another story of a woman crying:

metro.co.uk/2017/12/06/mp-breaks-tears-universal-credit-impact-speech-7138038/

I’m beyond disgusted at some of the comment on here. I’m also sick of the multimillionaires in Government lecturing destitute and desperate people about living within their means.

It will work out, bed in, and all will be fine

And in the meantime never mind the hunger, distress, debt, worry, inability to pay bills/heat homes/keep homes without rent/feed their families eh? I mean it’s not like people actually matter or anything eh?

It will work out, bed in, and all will be fine
Let's hope you're right.

Yes as I say, I will be worse off. Single parent of two young children.

And I agree, the absolisnment of the serious disability premium is not good.

However the government is listening. It has paused the roll out. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is reintroduced.