Do you agree with these benefits?

[Sophieleigh26]

Do you think the amount people get in benefits (before deductions like earnings) is the right amount, or it should be more / less?

MONTHLY AMOUNT
Single & under 25 £265.31
Single & over 25 £334.91
Couple both under 25 £416.45
Couple over 25 £525.72

£244.58 extra allowance for children (up to 2 children)

A single parent not working (24) with one child (1) would receive £509.89 a month, before deductions (loans, debt etc)

obviously these are just summaries and there are different rules if you have children born before 2017, for example, or disabilities, childcare costs.

YABU - It seems ok / right
YANBU - It should be more / less

My opinion: they are too low. They should have been raised in line with inflation, at least, especially when we know inflation hits poorer people the most. Average gas / electric bill from next month will be over £200.

Is this universal credit?

for those who earn less than a certain amount?

why should it be more? Where would the money come from?

It was raised with inflation in April

What is that money for? Is it all bills (rent, gas / electric, council tax etc). Not sure how they'd be able to afford to raise it alongside inflation tbh! Most wages don't rise alongside inflation either.

Why should under 25s get less? Rent is rent regardless of age.

Far too low.

I can't see this thread going well at all. A few pages in will be someone saying that their neighbour receives thousands in benefits, has a brand new car and iPhone, goes on holiday etc.

Personally, I think it should be more.

@FayeGovan I didn’t include rent because every amounts different but I do agree. I think it’s to reflect that wages would be lower if you’re under 25 due to minimum wage. But you still have the same living costs.

Outrageously low, but that's what people keep voting for...

@TigerRag inflation was 9% in April. UC was raised by 3.1%

They are too low. The benefit cap is too low. My rent is 51% of my income. Then i lose some due to an overpayment of HB which was their fuck up that I queried at the time.
I never have enough to pay all my bills every month.

Agreed. There are people on Mumsnet who know exactly what someone’s bank statement looks like via telepathy.

Funny that, after 13 years of the UK’s support systems for the vulnerable being razored to the ground by the Tories, there are still people who begrudge claimants. Which kind of shows that it’s the mentally of selfish people that is at fault.

You should said in the opening post that these figure do not include the housing element of universal credit as that would make a difference to some replies.

Mentality*

Is the couple's one each or both together?

@tulips27 together. One person in the couple will receive the payment, to share with the other one.

No idea how they manage. I suspect they don't.

This doesn’t include the housing help though, does it?
So that’s for bills/food and a part of rent.

it does seem low, but I think working people also end up with that amount left over atm after paying rent etc.

I think when people go on about people getting loads in benefits it's disability benefits. Just universal credit/job seekers is just the bare minimum. Its really tough to live on that esp if you private rent as jousting costs aren't fully covered.

Wish someone would pay my mortgage - oh wait I get no help for anything...but that's ok ill take my 2% pay rise and substitute your inflation benefit rise.

• housing

It isn’t enough, especially in this day and age.
If your housing costs aren’t fully covered( likely as LHA is quite low) then you have to pay out of those amounts too.
if your child was born before 2017 the child allowance is £280 odd.

Inflation was also 9% in April for those working and not claiming however my wages were not even increased by 3.1% and I’m sure others weren’t either

Not trying to ‘benefit bash’ however all are feeling these rises

It's also why we have a shortage of taxi drivers in a lot of areas. The work isn't out there and after expenses unless you are earning less than those amounts, there's no help now that the minimum income guarantee has been scrapped.

Benefits are insanely low in the UK. As are pensions. I continue to be surprised that people don't wonder where the hell all our taxes are going.

Is this not just meant to tide them over until
they get a job though?