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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this doesn't make any sense?

32 replies

melononapear · 03/03/2021 13:48

I'm not going to use actual figures as I don't want to give all my financial details but it's just an example to illustrate what I mean!

I was furloughed during the first lockdown receiving £1000 a month. This was not enough for me to live on so I applied for UC and this was topped up by £200 a month as the government have calculated this is the minimum I need to live on.

I lost my job completely so now I am on full UC and I am now only receiving £900 a month. Now I'm hearing everywhere that actually this includes an extra £80 a month which will eventually stop. So effectively I 'should' only be getting £820 a month.

How can this be?!?! When they decided that my furlough wasn't enough to live on and topped it up I was getting more than they are giving me now! I'm freaking out a bit thinking about my UC being reduced even more if I can't find a job when I can't make ends meet as it is.

I already live very frugally and have cut my expenses as much as I possibly can. I have nothing to sell and don't spend money on anything that isn't essential. In addition my landlady has just decided to put my rent up by an extra £50 a month and I just don't know what to do. I can't move, I'm already in a very cheap place as it is, I won't get anywhere cheaper. The £50 I will have to now spend on extra rent is half my food budget for the month, so do I just have to not eat now? If I update UC about my rent increase will they increase my UC to cover it? Feel so stuck.

OP posts:
normalnormas · 03/03/2021 13:53

£900 a month UC? That's more than I get paid so maybe I should quit my job.

UhtredRagnarson · 03/03/2021 13:54

Universal credit discount the first £292 of your income. Then they reduce your UC entitlement by 63p for every pound you earn after the £292. So you will always be better off in work whilst on UC.

Original poster
melononapear · 03/03/2021 13:57

@normalnormas as I said these are not the real figures, just an example. The real UC I receive is a lot less than that.

@UhtredRagnarson no debate about that, I know that 100%. I want to work but I'm having trouble getting any responses at the moment. I've not been on UC very long and my whole industry is closed at the moment due to Covid.

OP posts:
JosieJarker · 03/03/2021 14:02

You will always be better off in work on uc.
Yes they should adjust your housing element for your rent increase, so long as its within the local allowance limit.

UhtredRagnarson · 03/03/2021 14:03

Oh I know how hard it is. I was just saying that the way UC is set up is so that you get less when not working. What they pay when you’re not working is the least they have decided people need to live on in your circumstances. I’ve found it often doesn’t cover what people actually need to live on. Like you say- an increase in rent means you have to find the money from elsewhere or find somewhere cheaper . It’s really sucks. I’m sorry you’re in this situation.

lottieree · 03/03/2021 14:03

£900 a month UC? That's more than I get paid so maybe I should quit my job.

There's always one. Presumably you live with a partner who also contributes to the household income so you can work so few hours that you only earn £900? In the real world some of us are one income families and it's a struggle working let alone being made redundant. OP is not claiming through choice.

ThePricklySheep · 03/03/2021 14:06

@normalnormas

£900 a month UC? That's more than I get paid so maybe I should quit my job.
But you aren’t working full time?
JosieJarker · 03/03/2021 14:07

Tell them about your rent increase today if possible, use your journal.

Original poster
melononapear · 03/03/2021 14:09

@UhtredRagnarson ah ok I see what you mean, thank you for clarifying 😊 I've never claimed UC before so had no idea how it all works and was finding it pretty frustrating!

@lottieree thank you for understanding. I am absolutely not claiming through choice but I had no other option than starve if I didn't. Being single is so expensive by comparison and the only place I can cut back is food. I already batch cook and portion everything out so I can make it last the month. I don't smoke or drink.

OP posts:
2020iscancelled · 03/03/2021 14:23

@normalnormas

£900 a month UC? That's more than I get paid so maybe I should quit my job.
Totally missed the point. Unhelpful and incorrect. How awkward.
lottieree · 03/03/2021 14:40

thank you for understanding. I am absolutely not claiming through choice but I had no other option than starve if I didn't. Being single is so expensive by comparison and the only place I can cut back is food. I already batch cook and portion everything out so I can make it last the month. I don't smoke or drink.

I absolutely get it. My wages each month just cover my outgoings, I often think if I had a partner his wages would be like free money, I mean it costs the same to rent and heat a place whether one person lives there or two. People happily living in this situation have no idea how single people struggle and you are using UC as it's purpose is, to help out people in unfortunate circumstances as a temporary measure. Don't let anyone talk down to you for that. They could easily find themselves in the same situation. I hope you find another job soon and you're not left surviving on that pittance for too long.

AllTheWayFromLondonDAMN · 03/03/2021 14:41

UC is an insane system. I used to work for a charity that helped people apply and appeal the system and honestly, it’s mind-melting. Couple this with the mad furlough system that’s now been continued for another six months and it makes even less sense. It doesn’t help you @melononapear but it’s all fucked.

JosieJarker · 03/03/2021 15:12

"UC is an insane system."
Really? Ive found it to be much less complex and more transparent than tax credits.
Not sure what furlough has got to do with it?
Uc deduct furlough at 63p per pound like they do any other wages.

Original poster
melononapear · 03/03/2021 15:44

I know that there are many people in this situation but I suppose that's part of what worries me because it's hard enough living on so little for one or two months but with so many people out of work and applying for the same jobs I wonder how much longer I'm going to have to do this.

I'm so bored. I'm frustrated and lonely. I don't have any money to spend on hobbies or things to pass the time. It's a really crappy way to live.

OP posts:
Original poster
melononapear · 03/03/2021 15:45

Sorry I posted too soon! I also meant to add that despite that I am grateful to be getting anything and at least I have a place to live. It could be worse 😊

OP posts:
Denny53 · 03/03/2021 15:48

I think that the £80 you are talking about is/was a temporary top up during CV19. However the chancellor in today’s budget has said this £20 per week top up is staying.

normalnormas · 03/03/2021 19:56

@lottieree

£900 a month UC? That's more than I get paid so maybe I should quit my job.

There's always one. Presumably you live with a partner who also contributes to the household income so you can work so few hours that you only earn £900? In the real world some of us are one income families and it's a struggle working let alone being made redundant. OP is not claiming through choice.

I'm a single parent with no partner.
TayceIsAyce · 03/03/2021 20:02

@normalnormas do you get tax credits or housing benefit?

UhtredRagnarson · 03/03/2021 20:03

I'm a single parent with no partner.

Are you raising, housing, clothing, feeding yourself and at least one child on less than £900/ month? Where do you live?

normalnormas · 03/03/2021 20:03

[quote TayceIsAyce]@normalnormas do you get tax credits or housing benefit?[/quote]
Tax credits. I work as many hours as my employer lets me.

normalnormas · 03/03/2021 20:04

@UhtredRagnarson

I'm a single parent with no partner.

Are you raising, housing, clothing, feeding yourself and at least one child on less than £900/ month? Where do you live?

No because I do get tax credits. Fgs it was a flippant remark based on employers paying minimum wage.
UhtredRagnarson · 03/03/2021 20:20

No because I do get tax credits. Fgs it was a flippant remark based on employers paying minimum wage.

Right so quitting work wouldn’t get you more than your income is now then would it? Confused you have government assistance according to your needs just like the OP does.

lottieree · 03/03/2021 20:31

@normalnormas so you claim tax credits, yet feel it necessary to make a judgy remark about UC? I bet as a single parent you get more than £900 a month in tax credits/ housing benefit/ child benefit/ child maintenance plus your wages. Would you manage on £900 UC as your only income? No.

SimonJT · 03/03/2021 20:36

@normalnormas

£900 a month UC? That's more than I get paid so maybe I should quit my job.
If £900 a month is enough why have you made the choice to increase your earnings via tax credits?
playthegame · 03/03/2021 21:22

@normalnormas

£900 a month UC? That's more than I get paid so maybe I should quit my job.
This fucking annoys me 😡

You quite obviously do not work full time if you earn less than £900 a month!

Work more hours, earn more money!!

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