Aibu to wonder what I’ve missed? (Benefit claimaint)

[WhatHaveIMissed]

Name changed for this
I’ve seen a lot of benefit threads today and I’m honestly wondering what I’ve missed.
I claim carers allowance (£66pw) and universal credit. Deductions are made from my universal credit based on the carers allowance, so my universal credit is £372 (the cost of my rent +£80) this is a little over £630 a month. If I was unemployed this would be even less (approx £500 a month I believe). It’s a struggle for me tbh. I am also paying back an advance I had to get as UC is paid in arrears. I could only access a months payment despite having to wait a little over 6 weeks so ended up needing a food bank in the last week too.
I don’t want this to be a “poor me” thread, however there have been times where I’ve had to get a charity voucher to keep my electricity (pay as you go meter) on and as above I have had to get a food bank voucher in the last 12 months. It’s not always a struggle but it teeters too close to financial disaster for any kind of financial peace of mind in my life right now.

The person I care for also is by no means rich with less than £700 a month coming in, though tbf he does not have to pay rent out of that (he rents from a council and they get the HB direct still). While he does not struggle for the food or basics he requires, he does indeed struggle to pay for anything that would improve his life/condition and the odd quarterly bill can be financially painful. Overall he lives an incredibly frugal life.

I don’t know if I should mention this however today I have seen multiple threads where some have even commented that people on jsa live some kind of high life because prescriptions and dentistry are free, as if that makes it any easier to live below the poverty line week to week.
I understand people with children and possibly disabilities too will get more money however kids cost money and disabilities do too (a lot of the time). Perhaps my perception is skewed due to my own life.
Aibu to ask what I’ve missed wrt the attitude towards claimants and how “well off” they are?

Don’t worry OP, there’s a few folk on here who either don’t live in the real world or who like to be goady, start benefit bashing threads and just be cunts.

Oh my days! Can you get to a Citizen’s Advice Bureau and tell them what you have told us?
They may be able to direct to a further source of funding or else , be able to find some reductions to your outgoings.
I am so very sorry to hear your story.

Prepare to be flamed

I hate this attitude too. I'm a single parent and disabled. I struggle every day. My benefits equal what my ex earns, if I include his child maintenance. He sees it as I get loads of money and can do what I like. However, my child tax credit and his maintenance and the child benefits all go on my DC. My ESA and PIP pay for household costs and things to aid my disabilities. I cannot even begin to describe how much PIP has helped me with my health. It is a lifeline for me. I've had to rely on food banks in the past (before DC) and now donate whenever I can. I'm so grateful I cannot be switched over to UC but I struggle to afford a lot of things. Ex complains that I "get all the benefits" so why should he have to give me money. But our DC is his too. And yes, I get what he does but he pays half the rent I do and the maintenance does not cover half of DC's expenses. It's hard. I often wonder at the moment how I'll afford Christmas and DC's birthday. But I try my very best. Living with a disability is also bloody difficult and I hate having problems but it's even worse when I'm judged for receiving benefits that help my problems.

Are you entitled to any other benefits? It seems a very low amount. Does UC top you up at all? I'm not sure how UC work but know it's awful. I got myself into debt waiting for a payment and it's awful. Could you try entitledto or a different benefits calculator? It may give you some suggestions. I hope you can get more support!

I have 5 dc, care for dp plus an adult with learning disabilities and an elderly man with cancer. I get nothing other than child benefits and tax credit

Most people live precariously close to financial disaster but also work themselves into the ground for the privilege. I think that when you work full time (particularly if you have a very stressful job) and still have no real financial security it can be difficult to have the perspective to see that your state of insecurity is fairly luxurious in comparison to those living off benefits, all these people see is the luxury of not working crazy hours and not needing to worry about where your money is coming from (although as the UC fiasco has demonstrated it’s not much better on benefits really).