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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel bad that I’m getting £650?

171 replies

MozFan · 27/05/2022 08:58

We are on universal credit, my DP works, his salary is £17,200 per annum before deductions.
I’m currently unable to work due to several mental and physical health issues. I’m having my capability for work assessment next week, but I’m not very hopeful from what I’ve heard.
We have a 3 year old also, he won’t be starting school until September 2023.

Anyway, when we found out that UC claimants are getting £650 as well as the £400 to help with energy costs, it did take some of the panic away I’ve been feeling lately.

A family member spoke to me on the phone and was really angry about it, saying that working people always get overlooked and that people on benefits always reap the rewards.
I was too upset to come back with anything, except for saying that we are a working household, just the wages aren’t enough to live on.

Another family member later on spoke to me and said I should be ‘grateful’ to the government … this is a person who votes Tory and says they’ll continue to do so.

OP posts:
RedPlumbob · 27/05/2022 11:26

sanityisamyth · 27/05/2022 09:16

I'm living on a student loan, doing a FT degree, single mother to DS8, working up to 5 part time and temporary jobs so no idea how much I'll get as I'm not entitled to Universal Credit.

Have you put a claim in? I’ve just finished my degree, single parent of 3, I got UC all the way through. Admittedly I didn’t work because my degree had 35 contact hours a week, so that was all the Mon-Fri childcare spoke for by Uni and not able to work evenings or weekends as no family to babysit.

RedPlumbob · 27/05/2022 11:30

ElspethBoomingHowsen · 27/05/2022 09:46

I am a student midwife and a single parent. I claim a small amount of UC as it’s not practical to work as well as doing a full time degree and working 12 hour shifts on placement. Student loans just don’t cut it.

I know there is a lot of haters on here towards students claiming benefits and I agree for the majority of course but I currently pay to do my degree and work for free, to qualify and fill some much needed midwifery gaps.

I will certainly not feel bad about my payment 😊

Check if your University has Hardship Funds and other scholarships and bursaries that you fit the criteria for.

It varies wildly between Universities but I get an extra 6k per year total from 3 different bursaries (1k each plus 3K Hardship Fund)!that award money for -

  • being a woman in STEM
  • non traditional qualifications
  • first in family to go to University
  • coming from a deprived area
I also get 3K from the Summer Fund as I couldn’t work between academic years.

I’m disabled with three children and one of them is disabled so that affects my ability to work between academic years too.

NeverFlyCoach · 27/05/2022 11:39

I don't feel guilty, and I don't really need it. It'll go towards Christmas.

RaspberryToo · 27/05/2022 11:40

If you are responsible for a child you can claim Universal Credit - and you would have got the extra 650 pounds if you were entitled to it.

If you haven't claimed UC it's your own fault you aren't getting the additional 650

Louise0701 · 27/05/2022 11:44

@edwinbear many of us are donating our £400 so maybe you shouldn’t judge either.

@MozFan you are sharing far too much with people! Don’t discuss finances with them anymore.

MarshaBradyo · 27/05/2022 11:47

RaspberryToo · 27/05/2022 11:40

If you are responsible for a child you can claim Universal Credit - and you would have got the extra 650 pounds if you were entitled to it.

If you haven't claimed UC it's your own fault you aren't getting the additional 650

Is this directed to a poster?

not a general thing I’m guessing

SleeplessInEngland · 27/05/2022 11:51

"A family member spoke to me on the phone and was really angry about it, saying that working people always get overlooked and that people on benefits always reap the rewards."

Idiots who think like this never seem to jump to the next logicial step of just not working. But why not, if it's so great?

Fcuk38 · 27/05/2022 12:08

No ones really getting any of this money. It’s just to mitigate the hike we will see in energy costs from October. It’s not like you are going to be better off - with the prices going up across the board it might not even stop you being worse off.

Persianflufffluff · 27/05/2022 12:28

PetersRabbitt
that sounds like our situation. It sucks!!

Dancer47 · 27/05/2022 12:42

OP, I wouldn't worry. The government is just helicoptering out even more money that it doesn't have to try and keep the public happy. By Winter, that £650 being given to you is going to be a drop in the ocean. Poor people still won't be able to put heating on. Inflation is rampant, food very expensive to produce and transport, petrol going up. This is not even a sticking plaster.

RedRobyn2021 · 27/05/2022 12:47

This is what the system is for to fall back on, it's out of order they would say that especially when they know you claim universal credit

carefullycourageous · 27/05/2022 12:57

breatheintheamazing · 27/05/2022 09:45

It's all in the context and back story of which we have little to go on from your post and very specific to individual circumstances ? I'm Not jealous or envious or any of those emotions but I am wondering why your partner is only on minimum wage - what's his job? Why can't he take on another? What's the reason you can't work perhaps your family member thinks your ailments don't mean you can't work.

We are ok as a family financially wise but I know plenty of middle earners and families where both work and who not entitled to a penny and who are hugely struggling. Why should they not get the same level of help?

Biscuit

They shouldn't get the same level of help because they are on a higher family income, obviously.

Collaborate · 27/05/2022 12:58

I voted YANBU on the basis that you have a family of arseholes. You should not feel bad about it. Especially the Tory voter. That really boils my piss.

Mumoblue · 27/05/2022 13:00

Personally I’m done with feeling guilty about being on benefits. It’s not what I want, it’s not like I decided to do it for fun- so, what? I’m supposed to say sorry for not wanting me and my kid to starve? I’m happy that I live in a country where we have this safety net, but people act like those who use it are all automatically scum, and I’m over it.

And of benefit bashers are mad because they also need help, surely the blame lies with the incompetence of the government which has caused the cost of living crisis- not with people on the very bottom.

Workwork21 · 27/05/2022 13:01

I get it. I'm fully reliant on benefits due to a disabled child and know I'm already financially better off than my dad on a 32k salary. I feel bad I'm getting yet more when he struggles far more. Its the just outside the eligible group that are being badly hit

monicagellerbing · 27/05/2022 13:25

Does anyone claiming UC get the £600 or is it below a certain yearly earning?

rhowton · 27/05/2022 14:10

I personally believe the £400 should be means tested. I don't need the money, but I'll get it anyway.

DonnaRhea · 27/05/2022 14:19

rhowton · 27/05/2022 14:10

I personally believe the £400 should be means tested. I don't need the money, but I'll get it anyway.

Are you going to donate it/give it to someone then?
Genuinely interested

PatientlyWaiting21 · 27/05/2022 14:58

What she means are working people who earn slightly more than the threshold are always missed out, and I agree, it’s crap!

daisychain01 · 27/05/2022 15:07

rhowton · 27/05/2022 14:10

I personally believe the £400 should be means tested. I don't need the money, but I'll get it anyway.

There is nothing to stop you withdrawing £400 from your bank account and donating it to charity like the Trussell Trust Food Banks charity you feel that strongly about it. At the moment the government should not be spending needless time effort and money having to meanstest everyone.

Dagnabit · 27/05/2022 16:15

I voted YANBU but not sure if I’m voting the wrong way round. I wouldn’t say you “deserve” the money but I wouldn’t feel bad about it either - it is what it is. UC doesn’t pay enough to cover the cost of living crisis so measures need to be taken. I do feel sorry for the people that slip through the cracks though.

BelperLawnmower · 27/05/2022 16:19

I'd say YABU to feel bad. You can give the money to charity for example instead.

Ahgoonyegirlye · 27/05/2022 16:28

bemefits Are there for those who need it. Our household income is 10
x yours and we pay a load of tax. Take the money. You’ll need it. I don’t begrudge a penny of what we’re taxed.
if you do t need the £££ then gift it to a charity.

Hawkins001 · 27/05/2022 16:31

MozFan · 27/05/2022 08:58

We are on universal credit, my DP works, his salary is £17,200 per annum before deductions.
I’m currently unable to work due to several mental and physical health issues. I’m having my capability for work assessment next week, but I’m not very hopeful from what I’ve heard.
We have a 3 year old also, he won’t be starting school until September 2023.

Anyway, when we found out that UC claimants are getting £650 as well as the £400 to help with energy costs, it did take some of the panic away I’ve been feeling lately.

A family member spoke to me on the phone and was really angry about it, saying that working people always get overlooked and that people on benefits always reap the rewards.
I was too upset to come back with anything, except for saying that we are a working household, just the wages aren’t enough to live on.

Another family member later on spoke to me and said I should be ‘grateful’ to the government … this is a person who votes Tory and says they’ll continue to do so.

Yet I wonder what their perspectives would be if the situation was the opposite.

Sheesh89 · 27/05/2022 16:33

Oh my god. Do not feel guilty for one second. You didn't create this ridiculous situation of unpayable energy bills. The government are doing the bare minimum to stop people from basically choosing between food and heating. You need that money. That's why we live in a society - to help out those who need it. Please please tell them to back the fuck off.

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