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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not understand Universal Credit or believe that we qualify?

106 replies

UCConfused · 09/12/2020 11:45

So I read on another thread about applying for UC if you have less than £16k in savings.

We have basically no savings. So thought I'd read more and have done a few of the calculators.

Between us we earn a little over £40k - no childcare costs as I can WFH outside school hours.

We rent privately at £1100/month.

Use credit cards etc but no big debts. Bascially each month we're at zero. But we do manage a couple of holidays a year. France/Spain/Wales etc, nothing too glam, but we can pay for DDs extra curricular things and don't go without.

Apparently though we can claim around £400/month UC.

Which is music to my ears, especially the Help to Save scheme thing, as having savings is the dream.

But do I have this all wrong? I feel like a fraud filling the application!

OP posts:
Original poster
UCConfused · 09/12/2020 17:58

@RememberSelfCompassion

40k is a decent income. I think thats why people are surprised. More than 2 full time min wage workers. Most people in many areas would earn under this as a family.

Ita crazy if this is right. And I suspect we missed out earlier if so.

I think also what it highlights is the insane cost of living in London.

That we can be on 40k and not have our own home or money left at the end of the month.

(We don't drink, smoke, go out, pay for any hobbies for ourselves etc.)

But we're grateful for the lifestyle we do have. So it surprised me what the calculators said.

OP posts:
Frieswithanythin · 09/12/2020 18:01

There is something definitely wrong with the system if earning over 40 grand a year your entitled to any benefit. My sister is on her own earning just under the threshold for benefits. She has no kids so gets he ho. She bought her property 20 years ago in the roughest part of town as it was the cheapest. Luckily at the time she got 100% mortgage. This sickens me as she struggles day to day with bills, runs an old car. As a family we earn about the same as you. We don’t get anything either, that’s with 2 kids, no childcare. I’m not really getting this household element thing? Can’t you just get a house in a cheaper area like my sister? That’s very unfair.

RememberSelfCompassion · 09/12/2020 18:01

Yup. Many many people live in london on a lot less. (Think of all thenlow paid workers you see every day!!) We did. Rent was a fraction less than yours but we were in an outer zone.

We moved out of london because we couldn't afford it...

Frieswithanythin · 09/12/2020 18:02

I’m not angry at you, it’s the whole system that makes me angry!

EachandEveryone · 09/12/2020 18:02

Its because of the rent, the allowance has gone up. Id put in a claim, answer all the questions and let them work it out. Its not fraud.

RememberSelfCompassion · 09/12/2020 18:05

The not having money left at the end of the month is due to your own choices though isnt it? You say yourself you holiday twice a year...

shallbe · 09/12/2020 18:06

We shan't be bothering with the UC because although we've paid taxes our whole life we don't feel right about it.

Op please do, it's not up to the jury of mumsnet to decide whether you should get them, the government do, I assure you much wealthier people take much larger "hand outs" without guilt such as the stamp duty holiday this year and tax breaks etc etc, it's been set at that level for the reason.

RememberSelfCompassion · 09/12/2020 18:07

It really is a crazy system. Its basically proping up the rental market isnt it!?

Rhayader · 09/12/2020 18:13

@RememberSelfCompassion

Yep - the benefits system designed the way it is just pays the mortgages of BTL landlords and keeps property prices high so that those claiming will never be able to buy for themselves.

Frieswithanythin · 09/12/2020 18:18

So you’d think the government would do something about greedy landlords charging ridiculous rents?

There are people getting a lot less a month in wages and can’t afford holidays once never mind twice a year. So taxpayers are basically paying for you to have a holiday? I’m gobsmacked about this.

amber763 · 09/12/2020 18:20

If this is the case the system is outragous. It shouldn't be there to help a family with 40k earnings to save.

Gothere · 09/12/2020 18:21

@Harrisismyparadise, 1 DC at primary school.

Hunnihun2 · 09/12/2020 18:25

Your rent is outrageous OP. I know it’s easy for me to say but I would not pay that amount in rent when I could move some where a lot cheaper! & save the rest..

Original poster
UCConfused · 09/12/2020 18:32

@Frieswithanythin

So you’d think the government would do something about greedy landlords charging ridiculous rents? There are people getting a lot less a month in wages and can’t afford holidays once never mind twice a year. So taxpayers are basically paying for you to have a holiday? I’m gobsmacked about this.
Actually my club card points pay for one.

But I get the message.

You clearly missed my point and perhaps didn't RTFT. We aren't claiming it.

OP posts:
Gardeniaofdelights · 09/12/2020 18:33

I absolutely hate MN sometimes. All the ‘shock’ that someone would use UC to save - as if it’s OP’s personal fault that London living costs are so high that two adults in work can’t realistically pay their living expenses and save at the same time.

Original poster
UCConfused · 09/12/2020 18:33

@Hunnihun2

Your rent is outrageous OP. I know it’s easy for me to say but I would not pay that amount in rent when I could move some where a lot cheaper! & save the rest..
It's actually cheap for the area as we've been in the same flat for 11 years.
OP posts:
Gardeniaofdelights · 09/12/2020 18:35

OP - please DO claim it. It’s there for a reason. Don’t let the shitty judgment of a few horrible people on this notoriously bitchy site put you off claiming a benefit you’re entitled to and which would make a meaningful difference to your life.

Hunnihun2 · 09/12/2020 18:38

That was not a dig OP! I just read my comment back. The calculators are pretty accurate.... I’m fascinated still when I even travel round London.... it’s pricey (North hometown).

40k between 2 people is not a lot of money (especially by MN standards usually) I think some people have by passed your rent cost that is huge! Blush

The calculations online are usually right and you can call CAB for advise and they will help you do it.

Claim it OP your entitled to the help.

I don’t envy your costs in rent!

timeforanewstart · 09/12/2020 18:40

We earn less with 2 kids and not entitled

Hunnihun2 · 09/12/2020 18:44

@timeforanewstart

We earn less with 2 kids and not entitled
Is your rent £1100 each month?
timeforanewstart · 09/12/2020 18:49

No its not that high my rent whiCh is why not entitled i guess
We were gettiNg some when i lost my job and I was amazed to get any but currently temp work so no UC . I think UC has got some good aspects like rent being taken into account as varies so much
Also no risk of overpayment for me as they just adjust on temp wage. I actually am only getting in wages what the UC was so not financially better off

timeforanewstart · 09/12/2020 18:50

Op fill in forms and try I was shocked we got some when I lost my job as DH has an ok paid job and under old tax credits we def would of got nothing
If you entitled your entitled

SonjaMorgan · 09/12/2020 18:53

OP you should claim. Get the help to save and build up some savings. Sod what anyone else thinks. You are entitled to it and should take advantage of it.

Lougle · 09/12/2020 18:55

You wouldn't be entitled to any UC here, @UCConfused. We're in the South, and a 2 bed flat would cost you £735 pcm. It's just your rent level that is pushing it up.

When we rented privately, we got housing benefit. When we moved to social housing, we didn't get anything. The only difference was the cost of the rent.

carben · 09/12/2020 18:55

OP just claim it. We should support people in work to aspire to own their homes and improve their lives. That's a huge chunk of your joint income lining someone else's pocket. You should be able to afford to buy your own home with the security that gives now and the investment for your future. Most people on 40k will have a mortgage which will be a lot less than your rent. UC was devised to reward working. It's built into it purposely.