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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

....to think people are over exaggerating how bad Universal Credit really is?

347 replies

GingaNinja84 · 03/02/2020 21:14

Hear me out!

I've recently come off maternity leave and have just signed up to UC to supplement my wages for the next few months, while I ease my way up to full time hours. I'm not entitled to a lot, but what I do get will be enough to live on and pay my bills until March when I go full time again.

All very easy. Apply online, meeting at job centre, first payment next week. Smashing.

Can the people who've experienced the horror stories please share? I'm intrigued as to how and why it's badly affected some people, and how much worse off people are on UC now, than they were on old style benefits. All I've ever heard from everyone I know is that UC is terrible and I shouldn't go on it (just go back full time straight away instead....)....without backing it up with any real stories or details.

I'm hoping this doesn't turn into a benefits bashing thread. I'm just really interested in how other people use the new system, and it's benefits and drawbacks Grin

OP posts:
karencantobe · 07/02/2020 07:01

@PityParty4one Yes but you need medics to agree they have those needs, even if there is no diagnosis.

Nanna50 · 07/02/2020 08:36

@PityParty4one They don't measure it by normal child, that must be a colloquial term?

The child must need substantially more care, attention or supervision than other children of the same age who do not have a disability or health condition

@karencantobe
I think usurper is not being truthful. You can not do what she claims
Unfortunately many people can.

Yes but you need medics to agree they have those needs, even if there is no diagnosis.
You don't need medics to agree, but you do need evidence to support the level of needs that the child has. That evidence can come from a whole range of professionals.

PityParty4one · 07/02/2020 09:04

Nanna

Hence why I put the word normal in " ".

It's about the level of extra care needed that a child of the same age wouldn't due to their illness/disability.

karencantobe · 07/02/2020 16:07

Okay fair enough that it does not need to be medics, although I would have thought no evidence from a medic would be unusual. But yes you need evidence from professionals who it is judged know enough to provide evidence that can be relied upon.
So as an adult if I apply for PIP and say I need help because I am too depressed to take care of myself, and that is all, I will be turned down. I need evidence from others that is the case.

karencantobe · 07/02/2020 16:09

And the reason I say usurper is not being truthful is that unless your kids are tiny, you both need to be working at least 16 hours to get child tax credit. I think it was usurper who claimed that only one of them is working 16 hours and will do so until their child is 16. That is not possible. The non working partner will be made to actively seek work.

lyralalala · 07/02/2020 16:49

And the reason I say usurper is not being truthful is that unless your kids are tiny, you both need to be working at least 16 hours to get child tax credit. I think it was usurper who claimed that only one of them is working 16 hours and will do so until their child is 16. That is not possible. The non working partner will be made to actively seek work

They’ve either lied or withheld pertinent information.

The only way that one half of a couple could work low hours while the other doesn’t is if the non-worker was claiming Pip or DLA (I think the pip roll out is complete now)

Other than that it’s not at all possible

PeapodBurgundy · 09/02/2020 07:53

DS has a wealth of professionals involved, and I have a folder full of reports detailing the extra care he needs from a variety of professionals. That being said, I'm not claiming DLA, as the only thing these needs cost us is time.

PityParty4one · 09/02/2020 08:09

Pea
DLA is not just about paying for things for your child.
It can be used to pay for extra support/activities/transport/respite care and if on higher rate mobility a blue badge or mobility car.
Obviously if you dont need to claim then dont but it can mean if he needs to claim PIP after hes 16 being on DLA already can support that PIP claim.

ethelfleda · 09/02/2020 08:19

Am i understanding this thread properly?

OP posts to explain how easy it has been for her to claim UC, safe in the knowledge she has full time hours to look forward to and her claiming is essentially supplementing her until she builds those hours up... and then goes on to be completely unaware that some people aren’t as lucky as she is?

Talk about rubbing people’s noses in it!

PeapodBurgundy · 09/02/2020 08:31

@PityParty4one

Thanks, but I don't want it to look like I can't cope with my own DC, I don't want to ask for more than DS absolutely NEEDS.

PityParty4one · 09/02/2020 08:50

Pea

Honestly you claiming DLA does not make people think you cannot cope!!!
Disabled children do cost more at times and DLA is recognition of that not that you can't cope.

My niece has DLA and it means she has been able to learn to swim because she needed 1:1 lessons which my sister could not afford before DLA.
She enjoys various activities now because my sister can afford the extra support my niece needs.
The DLA has meant my niece has access to so much more which helps her developmentally and allows her to enjoy things other children do.

If you dont need that financial assistance and can pay for everything extra your son needs then that's ok but please do not dismiss it because you believe you will be judged as not coping.
Plus as I said should your child need to claim disability benefits as an adult being on DLA as a child can help with that.
It also opens up support for any home adaptations or support for equipment. It also helps to get support at school or college.

I am not trying to pressure you but the DLA is not for you or has any reflection on your ability as a parent. It's about and for your child.

hydeandrun · 09/02/2020 09:02

I think it's fine. As a family we value time more than money, so we've minimised our working hours and still have enough to get by and enjoy our hobbies. DH works a 20 hour week and I am a SAHM, but the UC we get is like an extra full time wage coming into the home. It means I have loads of leisure time when all the kids are in school, and we are both there for them outside school hours without the stress of two jobs tearing the family apart.

that is a windup. she keeps posting it. Iirc, she has a horse as well (no mention of the goat though).

You could not even claim UC in that circumstances unless someone is disabled. The system isn't designed to support a 20h job and a parent at home. Poster doesn't know it though because they are full off crap.

karencantobe · 09/02/2020 09:14

And someone posting lies like that does not help those who are actually claiming benefits.

PixieDustt · 09/02/2020 09:46

DH works a 20 hour week and I am a SAHM, but the UC we get is like an extra full time wage coming into the home. It means I have loads of leisure time when all the kids are in school, and we are both there for them outside school hours without the stress of two jobs tearing the family apart.

BS 🤣 but it isn't go and get a job and stop being lazy if you have lots of 'leisure time'.

PixieDustt · 09/02/2020 09:47

If*

Fredted8 · 30/04/2020 18:26

@LetsNotPanic I hope this is true!
I think I read that on UC you are limited to the amount of savings you have whilst claiming unlike TC

MitziK · 30/04/2020 19:09

When's your assessment period end compared to your payday?

If they crossover, such as before a bank holiday or Christmas, you won't get a penny. If your work don't fill in the returns until the following month, you won't get a penny.

If you have another income that is reliable and it's just a top up, it's not quite so bad. But you will never know for certain how much you're getting (if anything).

Turner2017 · 25/08/2020 13:45

I know this is an old post, but does anyone know how long it takes for tax credit to do their finalisation once you submit your universal credit claim please...

Fredfrench62 · 25/08/2020 14:23

Your original post is terrible.

You don't want to go back to work full time because you perceive it to be difficult so expect the state to support your family so you can live the life you are accustomed to until you feel ready to do work more.

But you're annoyed that other people moan if the system doesn't work for them like they're the entitled ones?

yetmorecrap · 26/08/2020 10:29

A big issue is people renting privately whose circumstances change—- the amounts allowable , especially in nicer parts of the country bear no resemblance to amounts paid out— but it’s also not that easy just to move on to something else if you are jobless or sick and not working or partner has left etc , so people hang in and supplement rent out of money that is meant for ‘living on’

Bajskorv · 16/07/2021 06:43

It's awful. After rent is paid and my bills I have a bit over £200 to live on until next time I get paid uc. I'm thinking of stopping paying some of my bills altogether because I just can't live on this. I have a kid to dress and feed and electric. I'm looking for work but if you don't have a car they are not interested for me to apply. I'm even considering giving my child up because I don't want him to starve and only exist.

miracle0812 · 20/08/2021 13:49

£100 is what I have left after rent to live on for 3 weeks due to their mistake £100 2 adults and 3 children 3 weeks. They know they have made a mistake but 6 days later after constant messages and phone calls to them I’m still here wondering how the hell I’m going to feed the children and put diesel in the car for school run we can starve I don’t care but not our children. The system is beyond a joke

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