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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

People on universal credit - how much do you get a month?

251 replies

VodkaCranberry2 · 25/05/2020 13:13

Just been approved for UC for me and my DP and my new baby however baby isn’t registered on there yet due to his birth not being registered yet (been told to wait 21 days because offices have not been taking appointments). We got an advance of £1,244. But won’t find out how much we get a month for 5 weeks. I’m just wondering if anyone else is getting it and what sort of figure we can expect to get?

Me - self employed, ending maternity this week
Partner - works in a supermarket

Thank you and sorry for posting here wasn’t sure which topic to post in.

OP posts:
Dougalthesyrianhamster · 25/05/2020 22:59

@Thehop Well MNHQ deleted it 🤷🏼‍♀️

Babyroobs · 25/05/2020 23:00

Maxbabi - Yes UC is awful for single people with no dependents.

Viviennemary · 25/05/2020 23:00

And calling £400 extra a month a measly amount. Who had planet are some folk on.

Babyroobs · 25/05/2020 23:01

Douglas - I am not incorrect - that is for child element of UC or tax credits. Where does it say that applies to Child benefit ?

IAmReportingYouForBBQing · 25/05/2020 23:02

@Dougalthesyrianhamster

You know I was being sarcastic right? About all the people kicking off about how rich benefit claimants are? I've got professional qualifications coming out my arse and can't work as I'm seriously ill and a full time carer.

And legacy benefits DO Still exist. I can screen shot my income support if you like..... I am one of the last people on it. I literally posted my own rough financial details . I did give up the £300 ish a month to get a car. But people still say I'm "lucky" to get what I get and are even jealous of me. I earned more before I had kids and got sick but now im "llucky".

LakieLady · 25/05/2020 23:03

I’m afraid I’m old school. Sure people can lose jobs - but I’m a firm believer in providing for your own children

But when a 3-bed property costs £1,400 a month, for a single parent with 2 children, on average earnings, rent and council tax would take up most of their wages and leave them with next to nothing to live on if their earnings weren't topped up with benefits. Someone on min wage would never manage without state support.

People are quick to bleat about people having their "lifestyle" subsidised, when actually it's high rents and low wages that are subsidised.

MonkeyToesOfDoom · 25/05/2020 23:11

actually it's high rents and low wages that are subsidised

Yep and that benefits landlords and employers.

If it wasn't for low paid employers getting top ups then shops wouldn't have retail staff, nurses couldn't afford rent, care home staff wouldn't be able to care for the elderly. And all hear high paid people bleating about benefits scroungers... Go ask if the nursery staff that look after your kids claim benefits... without them, you're fucked. I'd remember that if I were you.

ToothFairyNemesis · 25/05/2020 23:17

@Dougalthesyrianhamster a simple google will tell you there is no cap on the number of children you can claim child benefit for. You are confused with tax credits/UC.

PorpentiaScamander · 25/05/2020 23:18

When I was working (full time, just over min wage in a care home) and claiming top ups from UC, I was told by a user on here that I should move up north where housing is cheaper. When I mentioned my job I was told I'm not that special and anyone can be a carer Hmm
Clearly some people are so convinced that no one should claim something they cant claim themselves that I should have left a secure job, secure housing and family (who provide free childcare) and move away to an area I don't know, people I don't know and no family support.

MonkeyToesOfDoom · 25/05/2020 23:31

I was told I'm not that special and anyone can be a carer

This is the problem. Carers are undervalued and not paid what they should be. Not everyone can be a carer, not everyone's cut out for it. It's a bloody hard job with no thanks at all.

JarOfFarts · 25/05/2020 23:34

As PPs have already stated, having a disability is expensive!

I have to get cabs everywhere as I can't drive, and I can't read directions (blind). I'll have to hire a gardener when I move, possibly q cleaner...

Things such as bump on stickers to mark all my appliances, a talking kettle- it all adds up!

It's also not as simple as just "getting a job"! What about those people who suddenly find themselves unable to work? Not just through redundancy etc, but sudden illness?

Being a rude, entitled, benefit bashing douchebroom, however, incurs no extra expense. So crack on.
(Sorry all the Nice Posters- I'm fucking annoyed)

JarOfFarts · 25/05/2020 23:37

I was told I'm not that special and anyone can be a carer

I couldn't. I have so much respect for people who do this, day in, day out- especially in the current climate.

dodolally · 25/05/2020 23:43

@Dougalthesyrianhamster I mean exactly that...

Somethings got to give...and it sure as hell ain't gonna be the defence budget!! Not with the current state of affairs. I have more of a clue than you think!! Grin

Lifeisabeach09 · 25/05/2020 23:48

People are quick to bleat about people having their "lifestyle" subsidised, when actually it's high rents and low wages that are subsidised.

Couldn't agree more. Minimum wage does not cover the cost of living and childcare for low earners with families in the SE. Top ups are crucial.

PorpentiaScamander · 25/05/2020 23:49

Well clearly I cant be a carer either Grin I had some kind of mental health breakdown and now hardly leave my house Hmm

But when I was caring I was bloody good at it. In my old job (a mental health support worker funnily enough) I was the only member of staff who was ever named on a "compliments" card in the 4 years I was there. When I moved into elderly care I had a lot of compliments. Always told how good I was at my job. I miss it so much. One day I'll be well enough to go back.

blubellsarebells · 25/05/2020 23:51

I couldn't be a carer either.
If we all got jobs that didnt need top ups there would be less carers, nursery workers, cleaners, supermarket staff, waiters, bar staff, delivery drivers, teaching assistants, among others.

Lifeisabeach09 · 25/05/2020 23:56

if we all got jobs that didnt need top ups there would be less carers, nursery workers, cleaners, supermarket staff, waiters, bar staff, delivery drivers, teaching assistants, among others.

There wouldn't be enough well-paid jobs available for everyone but, yes, people need to recognised that a lot of essential jobs are low-paid. Covid, I would have hoped, highlighted this. These jobs do need to be better paid then people wouldn't need to rely on the state for top ups.

Moominmammaatsea · 25/05/2020 23:59

@JarOfFarts, so sorry for a bit of a thread hijack but I’m really interested to read about your financial situation. My DD (12) lost her sight a year ago and is now registered blind. She is flourishing in mainstream education but I worry for her future job prospects and financial security. Any advice?

Devlesko · 26/05/2020 00:05

I’m strongly of the belief benefits should be a short term solution

So feeding your kids, putting a roof over their head, clothing them are all short term solutions.
Caring for a disabled person, being disabled yourself is short term?

If employers paid well enough so the state didn't have to step in.
We wouldn't need the benefits Confused
If you can manage without benefits and earn too much to receive them, why would you begrudge those worse off than yourselves, I don't get it.

blubellsarebells · 26/05/2020 00:11

I know there wouldnt be enough well paid jobs.
The point was more really that life would be a lot less nice, convenient and fun without us scroungers doing the grunt work for peanuts.

JarOfFarts · 26/05/2020 00:11

Moomin I worked at the CAB for a few years, and I dog walked on the side! (Familliar route, and any dogs I took on needed to be ok with my white cane). But she could do lots of things- i promise you it isn't all bleak. 💚

I've had a blind counsellor, met blind sportspeople...if it's a "typical" office job, like I had (I gave it up when I fled DV, and I'm recovering from anorexia and PTSD due to this, so holding down a job isn't in my future at present) I had speech software, they made sure I was always on the ground floor, there were no obstacles in my way etc.

If I can help in ANY way with advice on daily management etc, please PM me.

She'll get through college/uni, if that's her plan, with support- I was assigned a notetaker, qnd given extra time on exams.

I'm one of the "lucky" ones I guess- I've never had to adapt, as I've been like this since I was a baby (my optic nerves stopped developing when I was 3 months old).

Honestly, feel free to ask any questions.

JarOfFarts · 26/05/2020 00:17

So feeding your kids, putting a roof over their head, clothing them are all short term solutions.
Caring for a disabled person, being disabled yourself is short term?

Very this! Some people are having to face a life on long term benefits. I, for one, intend to scrounge off the tax payer for a while yet, while I get myself well enough to juggle work and being a single parent, as well as coping with my trauma, my DC's trauma, and a relocation.

Not all of us choose this life. Sometimes, shit just happens!

DontGoJasonWaterfalls · 26/05/2020 00:18

There are some truly grim attitudes on this thread.

Do people genuinely begrudge benefits going to those who need them? I'm sure a vast majority of those people would rather not have to rely on them

We're bloody lucky to be able to work. Health issues, redundancy, relationship breakdown can happen to anyone. Not having to rely on benefits isn't a sign of a good work ethic or lots of effort; it's sheer luck. Rather than coveting the lives of others, thank your lucky stars that you're still able to work.

JarOfFarts · 26/05/2020 00:20

DontGo as my 13yo DS would say..."Mood" 😂

blubellsarebells · 26/05/2020 00:27

Some of us do work and still need benefits.
I work, really bloody hard and im good at my job.
It doesnt pay enough for me to not need any additional support.
As my child gets older and im less constrained by school hours, holidays and available childcare I will work more, get promoted and not need any help.
Some of the attitudes on this thread are disgusting.
To be jealous or begrudging towards disabled people, people caring for disabled children or women escaping domestic violence.
Its quite sick actually.