£1,800 universal credit for the unemployed AIBU ???

[rosekettie]

Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of sympathy for people that has lost their jobs due to COVID-19. BUT.....just announced now...a family of 2 children out of work can now claim £1,800 worth of universal credit WHILE AS a registered nurse after paying all taxes, parking fee and pension comes home with £1,700 on a good month. That's with enhancements of weekend and night working. Even less so for HCA and other support staff. Maybe we should all go home and isolate..THOUGHTS,????

Have they got rid of the benefit cap then?

Oooh yes @HelenaDove ! Then after this is all over “I don’t know why people complain, UC wasn’t so bad!” etc.

I find that I cant begrudge anyone any little comfort they can get just now.

I have had the same thought @HeIenaDove

Also wondered why TF people who have just become poor need more money than people who had been on them along time did without this crisis happening, especially when the negative effects of long term poverty vs short term are well documented, especially in outcomes for children.

Can't believe people we STILL angry with anybody who needs welfare.

I don't think it's right to be bitter when people in society are supported. If you feel slighted by financial situations, I think people should always be asking "why don't I get more" instead of "why do they get so much".

As you've said, your salary is as a single person and after all deductions including your parking. If you find a partner on a similar wage, your income will be far better off than the family on UC. If the person on UC was single and childless like you presumably are, or at least that's comparable to the info you have provided, then they likely won't even get £900 a month without children, it will be even less than half.

You are also gaining experience and opportunities for career progression. You're contributing to your pension so you have security in the future. The UC family have none of this.

The bottom line is people should focus on their own situations and what you can do to make the best out of it, relinquish any bitterness you hold as it's all in vain anyway. It's far better to seek the positives in life than it is to dwell on the negatives.

i dont begrudge them either Not at all. I just dont think the decision was completely altruistic.

I agree OP it's a total pisstake really. I think they should have gone for something like 50% of salary and a freeze on all utility bills and council tax therefore there would be no outgoings of this sort to pay.

I don't begrudge it, I have friends who were on/below the breadline before this and without extra money they'll just get further into the cycle of rent/bills arrears. It's a big hole to get out of.

I'm damn well hoping that after this the NHS will get a bloody great big pay rise, and I mean BIG, none of this 3% over 3 years bullshit that the gov has been pulling for god knows how long.

When a society allows billionaires to exist, begrudging families £1800 a month is a joke.

EmeraldShamrock you have misunderstood how the payment works. The government will cover 80% of wages up to £2500 a month for staff that have been furloughed - that means they are NOT working. They are not just paying working people's wages

Tbh you get 1700 as u pay a high pension leave nhs and u get better wages but worse pension. I earn 2k per month 170 deducted on 32k I work mon to fri x

This is incorrect, that amount is for families living in London I suggest you look at the rates this including child benefit.

That’s going to be including housing benefits so your post is slightly misleading. Rent on a 2 bed flat here is £850-£950 so higher for house, if their rent is a grand theyve still got to pay all their bills on top! It’s not £1800 a month in their pocket to spend frivolously

'I bregrudge fuck all to anyone atm.'

gamerchick, this is one of the best, sanest, mosr sensible posts I've read on here since all this started. Thank you.

People seem to missing OP point, she is risking her own and her families lives. Hopefully she will come through it, however in the mean time she sees others being given more than her for essentially staying at home.of course she doesn’t feel valued.

But... you're entitled to Universal Credit too, no? To top it up? So you'll still be better off than they are? Is that not correct?

People seem to missing OP point,

I think OP missed it in the first place.

Comparing ONE persons wage to TWO peoples universal credit.

I think Helena makes a valid point.

Its more than I get on UC due to the benefit cap. (Not in, but near, London. Single adult 2 DC)

@rosekettie as a fellow HCP, i actually completely agree with you. Its unlikely non NHS workers who are currently safely sat at home thinking how hard they have it, will tho. The really sad thing is - these people on this thread who have dismissed you and criticised your way of thinking -are the very people you are risking your life to protect. This crisis has made me realise one thing - that actually most of the british public do not deserve me risking mine or my family's health for them.

But you're grotesquely underpaid. Sorry, should have said that first.

People are also grotesquely ungrateful, in a time when HCP are risking their lives to save ours.

This is a charity started to provide help and support for medical professionals through this - including adequate protective gear, shamefully. And it's only just raised over £100,000, in a week. That's shit, bluntly. People should be pouring money into this effort, given all the healthcare sector are risking and sacrificing for us, right now.

£1700 leftover fucking hell. I get £9 a day as 24 hour Carer. I need to take him TK college and the hospital shifts. All those days off too. Wow.

This is how the standard allowance is changing, as of April 6:

Single, under 25 – rising from £251.77 to £342.72 (equivalent to £4,112.64 a year)
Single, 25 or over – rising from £317.82 to £409.89 (equivalent to £4,918.68 a year)
Couple, joint claimants both under 25 – rising from £395.20 to £488.59 (equivalent to £5,863.08 a year)
Couple, joint claimants, one or both 25 or over – rising from £498.89 to £594.04 (equivalent to £7,128.48 a year)

There are additional elementals for children and rent.

Me neither @HeIenaDove it's to placate people currently and keep them voting conservative

*elements