universal credit question aibu??

[plodalong12]

AIBU to think it is unadvisable to let someone in a full-time working job think they can claim either housing benefit or universal credit? Working 37.5 hours per week earning £1150 after tax per month and rent is £625 per month. I said this person is likely to not be entitled to help for either housing benefit or universal credit- Am I right? This is some where in England, but not London.

No, actually, depending on their circumstances they may well be entitled to a small amount

Although they can't apply for housing benefit, just universal credit

It depends - don't get have children living with them ?

And this person doesn't have any children.

Don't get - should read do they

They can run their circumstances through the entitled to calculator to get an idea if they would or not. Depends on area, local housing allowance etc.

YABU giving ‘advice’ you’re not qualified to give which could have a massive impact on someone’s wellbeing and ability to manage. Why not just direct them to the CAB?

@Tumbleweed101 entitledto isn't great for universal credit.

Universal credit essentials have it on their site so it is easy enough to work out

You have no idea about people's personal circumstances. I have 2 children who have a hidden disability so you would only know if I told you. My benefits are almost equal to my full time wage.

I am not in work, have a monthly income of approx £1k due to spousal maintenance and wasn’t entitled to anything. I do receive child maintenance for ds but that isn’t counted in the calculation.
When I talked about it on here I was told that I shouldn’t have expected anything.

I wouldn't give advice either way as, like you, I have no idea. There are websites you can put your details in to that tell you what, if any, benefits you would be entitled to. Surely that would be a better idea than telling them they're not entitled when they might be

Why say anything to them if you have to come on Mumsnet and ask if you’re right. Why not just direct them to the online calculator?

AIBU is the wrong question where benefits are concerned. You're either entitled under the qualifying conditions or you're not.
Reasonableness rarely comes into it.
In this case we really don't have enough info to know. The person should seek proper benefit advice.

I’m a single part time working parent who rents making £800 a month after tax and I’m entitled.
It’s based on circumstances. And when you do earn, it’s reduced by 63p for every pound over the allowance (if there is one). So you’re generally always better off working alongside claiming. I also receive child maintenance which isn’t counted.

Who has told them they are entitled?
YABU this is someone's livelihood if you aren't 100% certain you say nowt and direct them to real advice.

They need real advice but assuming they have no savings there might be about £300/m payable.

@AlternativePerspective if you're not paying rent then you probably weren't entitled to UC.

YABVU - depending on circumstances, they may well be entitled.

You can earn what most people would say is quite a bit - well over the average UK salary, and still have entitlement to a UC payment under certain circs.

@plodalong12

AIBU to think it is unadvisable to let someone in a full-time working job think they can claim either housing benefit or universal credit? Working 37.5 hours per week earning £1150 after tax per month and rent is £625 per month. I said this person is likely to not be entitled to help for either housing benefit or universal credit- Am I right? This is some where in England, but not London.

Unless you are a benefits adviser why would you even get involved?

They can claim and the people with all of the information will tell them if they are entitled to anything.

That’s only minimum wage, they’ll be entitled to a little help with that if they’re on their own.

@Getawaywithit

YABU giving ‘advice’ you’re not qualified to give which could have a massive impact on someone’s wellbeing and ability to manage. Why not just direct them to the CAB?

No, I was doing the opposite actually. Someone else told them they would be qualified for a significant amount of money each month and I was telling them not to take advice from that person because it sounded wrong to me and I didn't think they'd get anything so not to get their hopes up because they were thinking it could help them out.

@OneRingToRuleThemAll

You have no idea about people's personal circumstances. I have 2 children who have a hidden disability so you would only know if I told you. My benefits are almost equal to my full time wage.

There are no children I already said that.

No, I was doing the opposite actually. Someone else told them they would be qualified for a significant amount of money each month and I was telling them not to take advice from that person because it sounded wrong to me and I didn't think they'd get anything so not to get their hopes up because they were thinking it could help them out.

So you did exactly the same as the other person then...

@CecilyP

Why say anything to them if you have to come on Mumsnet and ask if you’re right. Why not just direct them to the online calculator?

I didnt know there was an online calculator, I was just asking to see if others thought I was right in that this person would not be entitled to anything.