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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think universal credit is for essential items.

103 replies

RC1511 · 31/03/2020 20:23

I am very aware there’s going to be a massive influx of people applying for this right now - rightly so.. For now oh is still working but this could well change with the current situation. I wish he wasn’t still working but anyway..

A friend of mine, her hubby is self employed and no longer working after this week. Hard times of course. They applied for UC - they have dependents at home.

I know little about Uc myself but she said they won’t get their first payment for a while but they received an advance or something? I assume to cover costs until the first payment comes in.

I won’t give away what they bought as I don’t want to give me identity away but they received an advance and went out on blew it on a luxury item costing £450. Not essential at all. It was one item costing that much.

I know we are on hard times. But I just assume the advance payment is for bills, car costs, food, toiletries etc etc. Essential items - things for the children etc.

Maybe I shouldn’t judge. Maybe I will be slammed on here. They are rightly entitled to UC now but surely the point of the advance is to get you through not to blow it in one hit? What will they live on until it comes through? That’s my main concern. They have been known to blow all their money before and ask others for help when they can’t afford to eat!

They literally have now have no money aside. No savings or anything as far as I know. She’s quite open about her financial situation.

My friend has already moaned now she’s now broke and has to wait at least a month for more money.

OP posts:
Original poster
RC1511 · 31/03/2020 20:24

I’m not talking about UC in general. I think when they get that they can spend it on whatever they want but the advance is to help in a crisis surely not to spend all in one hit?

OP posts:
TheQueef · 31/03/2020 20:25

Hmm aye right.

BrigidSt · 31/03/2020 20:26

Mind your own business.

JuanSheetIsPlenty · 31/03/2020 20:27

Oh YAWN.

It’s their money. They can spend it on whatever they like. They meet the criteria for receiving it so it’s theirs. If they struggle to eat next week that’s their problem.

Do you tell people who blow their wages on iPhones that they’re not allowed to spend it on that and it’s for essentials?

MarieQueenofScots · 31/03/2020 20:27

I won’t give away what they bought as I don’t want to give me identity away but they received an advance and went out on blew it on a luxury item costing £450

Let me guess a 47439292 inch television

FlapAttack23 · 31/03/2020 20:28

Beak out, beaky

JuanSheetIsPlenty · 31/03/2020 20:29

The advance is still their money!! It’s an advance of their benefits!

ivykaty44 · 31/03/2020 20:29

The advance on UC has to be paid back, it will be taken from future UC payments. Thing is the will complain further down the line they cant afford to live on UC payments etc but of course not when they got a loan to pay back they clearly didn’t need

Wewearpinkonwednesdays · 31/03/2020 20:30

Hot tub 😂

ALemonyPea · 31/03/2020 20:30

They couldn't have bought a goat as they're given out to all UC receivers.

Would you like people on UC to have the very basics then?

Peanutbutteryogurt · 31/03/2020 20:30

Well, it's their problem really isn't it? If they've blown all their money for one month on one thing then they'll deal with the consequences

RoyalBankOfFuckThis · 31/03/2020 20:30

I'm on benefits and have just bought a £300 gaming item.

Were locked inside. Can't go anywhere. Can't do anything. No trips to cinema over Easter, no swimming, no outings, no bus fare to pay.
Have enough food, money to pay bills with our usual. Don't drink. Don't smoke.

Meh.

amy85 · 31/03/2020 20:31

The advance is to cover living costs until first payment...if they want to blow it and then not have money to live that's up to them....they have to pay it back anyways...

Wewearpinkonwednesdays · 31/03/2020 20:31

None of your business anyway.

Sonichu · 31/03/2020 20:31

Let me guess, a massive telly, and new trainers, and cigarettes, and vodka, and a fuckin world cruise, and a dinosaur, and a Faberge egg.

Windyatthebeach · 31/03/2020 20:33

I claim benefits op... For necessities and some nice bits I will be honest.
A neighbour lost her dp in tragic circumstances and broke a leg the same week. I drove her to the job centre and sat and waited.. She received an emergency payment for her and her 2 dc's.
She spent it on her horse.
Some people are beyond comprehension..
*horses are expensive I understand but surely provide for your dc first?

PenisBeakerDipper · 31/03/2020 20:33

They’re claiming the safety net we are all promised in return for the taxes we pay. It’s not really anyone’s business what they spend it on. I don’t give a shit what people spend their benefits on - I’m just thankful we are lucky enough not to need them!

Merigoround · 31/03/2020 20:35

Since they will pay back every penny of the advance they borrowed its really nobodys business but their own. Very short sighted of them if they will need the money for other things later in the month as they dont get another go at this advance . But no matter how well you think you know them you actually know nothing .

DCITennison · 31/03/2020 20:36

You thought UC came with a stipulation about what it could be spent on? Really?
The stipulation is that they’re entitled to it, that’s all. Once that’s decided, the money is theirs. Just like yours is yours and mine is mine.
Really weird to think it would or should be otherwise.

TheFutureMrsHardy · 31/03/2020 20:37

I blame the system that allows this to happen in the first place.

People should receive food vouchers, energy vouchers, rent and a suitable amount of cash. Some people are in poverty because they are unable to handle their money, and a system that allows people to have a large chunk of money like they've never had before is frankly cruel and setting people up for failure.

Original poster
RC1511 · 31/03/2020 20:37

Thanks all. I really didn’t mean to offend. I am very aware that people are on benefits long term and can buy what they want. I too have been on benefits as a single mum in the past. My post really wasn’t about that. It’s just that they will be asking friends and relatives for money next week then they can’t eat which is totally wrong imo.

I just assumed the advance was to help people get by that’s all!

OP posts:
JuanSheetIsPlenty · 31/03/2020 20:39

If you’re saying UC is only for essentials that’s a pretty miserable existence you’re condemning a lot of people to.

No ice cream from the van for kids
No wine on a weekend.
No takeaways
No magazines
No Netflix
No buying a scratch card
No cinema
No unlimited data sims for your phone just the bare minimum.

Original poster
RC1511 · 31/03/2020 20:39

This also isn’t a benefit bashing post at all. I have been on benefits. I too have felt judged. I am not judging anyone at all in that situation. I get it but I feel appalled that they could blow it all one hit and be struggling next week!

OP posts:
raspberryk · 31/03/2020 20:41

They're the ones who will be in a pickle when they realise UC is only really enough to survive short term.

Original poster
RC1511 · 31/03/2020 20:41

That wasn’t the point of my post @JuanSheetIsPlenty. It was more about the blowing it all in onehit and having nothing left for ages!

I don’t care what people spend the money on. I do care that they will be asking others probably including me to bail them out soon.

OP posts: