Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Another downside of being switched to universal credit...

102 replies

FuckASilverLining · 15/04/2019 09:15

I am on ESA and once a year in July I take out a budgeting loan of £812 to pay for my kids uniforms. The amount is paid back fully through deductions in future payments but it's zero percent interest and the only was I can get a bulk amount to cover all school expenses.

If you get moved to universal credid you can no longer get a budgeting loan.

Yet another reason I'm terrified of getting the letter saying I'm being moved over.

OP posts:
Original poster
FuckASilverLining · 15/04/2019 09:16

I understand many people will say well just take the same amount out each week and put it aside but when you go into your overdraft every week it's not that easy.

If it's not available to you it's not there. If it is then there's bill to be paid and mouths to feed...

OP posts:
hibbledibble · 15/04/2019 09:19

That's an awful lot to spend on uniforms each year. I spend a fraction of that. Can you not get them second hand?

MollyHuaCha · 15/04/2019 09:23

How many children for that amount to be spent on uniform?

GummyGoddess · 15/04/2019 09:25

No chance of a 0% credit card? You could purchase everything, cut it up and then pay it back like the loan.

MsFrosty · 15/04/2019 09:28

There are budgeting advances but they aren't available for everyone on UC. If you earn too much in an AP you can't get one. Also you can't have more than one outstanding

Nefney14 · 15/04/2019 09:28

They’re are budgeting advance on universal credit. It is only available if you earned under a certain amount in the 6 months prior and only if they think you can afford to pay it back within 12 months but they are available.

Nefney14 · 15/04/2019 09:28

Sorry there are not they’re are 🙈

PickAChew · 15/04/2019 09:29

That's a lot of money to spend on uniforms. Do you really need all new, every year? If the school insist on specific suppliers, do they have a second hand shop?

Houseonahill · 15/04/2019 09:30

www.gov.uk/universal-credit/other-financial-support

This will give you information about budgeting advances.

£812 sounds like an awful lot for uniforms though?

LoopyGremlin · 15/04/2019 09:31

Could you join a credit union maybe? Save a small amount each month and then possibly take out a loan later.

Debenhamshandtowel · 15/04/2019 09:31

Are you in a union? I know some do grants for school uniforms if you’re on low pay.

Dimsumlosesum · 15/04/2019 09:32

How are you spending so much on uniforms, unless you have quite a few kids? I'm probably being really naive so do correct me if so, but my son is still in the same two jumpers he's had for a couple of years, the only thing I have to buy is shirts and trousers (I don't buy shorts for summer as I just cut and hem his trousers), which from aldi etc are pretty cheap. He does go through shoes though, but that's about £12 every few months?

Wheresmyvagina · 15/04/2019 09:32

Yep it's shit
How about a credit union savings account?
But also, that's far more than most people spend on uniforms. Why is it so much?

x2boys · 15/04/2019 09:42

Again why is the uniform so.expensive how many kids are you buying for ? My oldest started High school last September so I had to buy all.New everything it came to about £130,that included PE kit I don't envisage having to replace everything every year just as and when he grows out of stuff.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 15/04/2019 10:41

That's enough to kit out six or seven children. Do they really need new every year? Surely if there's more than one some items can be passed on.

If there's no budgeting loan maybe look at putting their child benefit for that time of year aside. Is the other parent not helping? Any change of overtime to cover the costs?

Original poster
FuckASilverLining · 15/04/2019 10:49

Have 0 credit. Can't even get a mobile due to abusive ex convincing me to get loans and all sorts out for him in my younger years. I can't even get a mobile phone contract.

I have 5 kids so 40 quid shoes are £200 alone.

OP posts:
TheQueef · 15/04/2019 10:51

Open a credit union account today and start dripping money in it.
If you allocate money at the repayment rate you hopefully won't miss it.

rabbitheadlights · 15/04/2019 10:54

FuckASilverLining you can get them ... it's called a budgeting advance ... call up apply on phone usually recieve the funds in 5 days

SnowyAlpsandPeaks · 15/04/2019 10:55

You don’t need to spend £40 on shoes

WhyNotMe40 · 15/04/2019 10:58

Supermarket school shoes are about £12-15 a pair and adequate.

Fairenuff · 15/04/2019 11:00

I understand many people will say well just take the same amount out each week and put it aside but when you go into your overdraft every week it's not that easy.

How do you normally manage to pay it back then?

WonkoTheSane42 · 15/04/2019 11:02

Supermarket school shoes are about £12-15 a pair and adequate.

It’s a total false economy to buy cheap shoes for kids.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 15/04/2019 11:03

Shoes can be bought for far less than £40 and unless all in high school uniform for primary is very cheap thanks to supermarkets. With five children, the months child benefit alone would cover uniform.

Regardless of the relationship breakdown, both parents should still be providing for the children themselves.

SpinneyHill · 15/04/2019 11:05

There are grants, charity funds and schemes to help with back to school costs, google is your friend for this as they vary from place to place.
But school costs have always been a problem so there is help out there and it's separate from DWP, there's limited info on turn2us but it's worth a read

CupcakeDrama · 15/04/2019 11:07

I do not buy those cheap supermarket shoes for my children. they fall apart after a few months. buy cheap, buy twice. Those may be ok for a small child but if the op has teens shes hardly going to be able to buy them £12 shoes. my sons shoes are £50 you need to pay for good quality. I got sick of the supermarket ones soles coming off. and not everyone can get credit cards etc, My credit rating isnt good so cant get one.