Claiming Universal Credit, DB says I'm well off.

[Aphrael]

I've been claiming Universal Credit since September, it's currently at the "Assessment Rate" of £270 per month while I'm waiting for a Work Capability Assessment to determine I'm unfit to work. I've been cleaning PIP for a few years now and I have a Motability car. My payment after this deduction is £240 per month.

So overall I receive £510 and have to pay everything like electric, gas, phone/broadband, Council Taxx2, fuel for the car before I even consider shopping and I am struggling and having to rely on the local Food Bank, although I dislike some of the items they provide.

I sometimes have asked my parents/brother for money - for context my parents receive £2,200 per month and my brother & wife receive £1,750 per month.

While my brother has been willing to provide money and/or food last night he castigated me for being greedy, selfish and behaving in an unacceptable manner. Any advice also would be great.

AIBU - They don't have to support me and don't have to supply anything.
AINBI - Supporting me is a great thing to do as I am really struggling at the moment on the assessment rate.

I’m perplexed at some responses. Freeloading- no other way to describe it.

To be fair you have no idea if the PP has long term disabilities either…

I think it shows how shitty wages are. Although I think they are wrong, I can understand why people in low paid jobs feel angry that they are often less well often than people who are claiming benefits. I don't think either group should be struggling, but if people are working in full time jobs they should be earning enough to give them a reasonable standard of living. But, I suppose it suits the government better to have one group angry at the other, instead of asking what them they plan to do about the rises in the cost of living.

And on the other hand, how the living fuck does someone survive on £335 a month?!

@Lipsandlashes Yes, the OP has stated that the whole family is on benefits.

Apologies for the terrible grammar, it made sense when I was typing.

Judgey much?

So you think because they get more than you they should support you? They get given what they need to live on as you do stop being so cheeky and expecting handouts from them. Get rid of the car you have a wheelchair so use that to get around!

Get rid of the car you have a wheelchair so use that to get around!

This has to be a wind up.

Get rid of the car you have a wheelchair so use that to get around! I hope you're a troll. Because it's so easy to get around in a wheelchair. Many places claim to be accessible when they are far from it. But of course we can all use one hand to operate a wheelchair for miles whilst juggling the things that we need. If you're not a troll then you're mind numbingly stupid.

mindset is everything, you can work, if you want to.

It seems you are surrounded by those who don’t work and claim benefits so maybe it is what you “know” and are used to.

Employers are more inclusive than ever, job vacancies are high in the U.K. - you can drive, travel to shops, use the internet and spell/type. That’s more than plenty, lots of people don’t have vehicles or drivers licences. Some illiterate and they are employed.

I think your brother was mean in what he said to you, there is definitely nicer ways to say things. However maybe he just got fed up, I'm disabled and spend half the week with my mum which greatly helps out with my food bills/less gas and electric but I in no way expect it and would completely understand if she didn't want to/couldn't anymore. I can sense when she needs time to herself and is getting fed up so I back away a bit and don't push it

Entirely

Surely someone in a family works?!

I think people need to realise there is a grey area in this situation, there was multiple threads that would fill up with in jiokes about big tv's and goats about someone working minimum wage and not being better off for being on benefits, a lot of those who made the jokes suddenly went quiet when the benfit cap came in as it it proved the grey area was more baised against those that worked

GThe simplistic approach is to point the finger at the employer, those people don;t understand basic economics, those making that argument where complainging against the benifit cap

How on earth does your parents get that amount a month in benefits plus rent fully paid? That’s a staggering amount for two people on benefit.

The brother and SIL have a motability car which would imply disability. Its a fair bet to consider that the same would apply to the parents, potentially one of them receiving Carers' Allowance too, for the benefit amounts to be that level.

Being disabled is expensive, as is being financially vulnerable.

So your entire family is long term health condition or disabled.

You are all having to manage your health conditions.

It's not really fair to be upset that they cannot give you money when they are managing difficult health conditions as well.

What the hell is an assessment rate and why has it lasted 8 months? How do people know exactly how much their family and friends get in income? I've always found that fascinating.

What a charming way to describe people who have the misfortune to have disabilities or illnesses that mean they are unable to work.

If you found yourself with a disabling health condition, let's say a brain injury, that prevented you from working, how would you feel to be called a freeloader?

I posted a breakdown upthread, @Katya213 .

Over £1,000 of it is PIP, at just over £500 pp pcm. If their disabilities mean that they cannot care for one another*, and they have to buy in help, they will have to pay for it up to the point that the PIP payment is exhausted.

*People can have differing disabilities but still be able to meet one another's needs, eg one with MH problems or an LD and one with physical issues.

It's the basic rate that the claimant would get if they were unemployed, rather than ill, @gamerchick, and applies to the initial period of a UC claim before a work capability assessment is done. The WCA should really be done in the first 3 months of a claim, but it never is. Any extra money the claimant is entitled to is backdated to then, though.

The WCA determines if you have Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA), in which case you're not expected to look for work or attend courses or anything and get an increase equivalent to around £37pw; Limited Capability for Work (LCW) which means they can start helping you get to the point where you can look for work, or just fit for work, in which case you can be sanctioned if you don't try and get a job.

I'm unwell and sleeping much more as a result.

My rent is covered but since the death of my partner I've now had to move into supported accommodation, which basically gives me easier access and a wet room. It costs me £80 pm not covered by UC.

I'm unwilling to go into details of parent's/brothers incomes other than to confirm they are correct.

I claim all Council Tax reductions and still have to pay £21 pm.

Will be back as antibiotics kick in.

I worked solidly until late DP's illness dictated I needed to be a full-time carer.

I can drive to the shops. The very local shops (and doctors/chemist) that is. Yet my disabilities dictate I may be unable to even get to my front door (or even out of bed to get food) 2-5 days in a row, including running out of medication.

Using a wheelchair in a shop whilst using a basket, or wanting something on a shelf is a total blast. "Ruining someone's day" asking for help and being made to feel like shit-on-their-shoe is even better. I recommend everyone tries it.

I am predominantly, 23 hours/daily bed bound and asleep for much of these.

Yes, I can use the internet, read and use grammar. You find an employer for me, willing to deal with all the above and severe-excruciating bouts of pain, I'll be surprised.

Is that good enough for you, "Poppet".

Sorry for your loss.
Have you applied for a Discretionary Housing Payment?
Presumably you have two bedrooms which is why the housing element doesn't cover your full rent.
Given that you're in supported housing I would hope that you would be awarded a DHP.