It's not liveable if you lose your job

[megansmarkle]

My cousin is in min wage and has lost her job. No redundancy.

Universal credit won't even cover her rent at £550 per month (Manchester).

Honestly, how do people survive not working?

She's 30 and needs to get a better job than min wage, that's for sure!

It is tough living off of UC, and I hope your cousin finds another job soon.

However, YABU to say she needs to get a better job. If she was previously managing on her wage, then it is up to her. Someone has to do the minimum wage jobs.

Yes she needs to get a better paid job or a house-share.

Can she put her name down for a council house, would that be an option.

I'm not being unreasonable to suggest my
Cousin can achieve more financial stability and better working conditions by getting a job that's not minimum wage.

She's doing an unskilled job in hospitality and works heaps more hours than she should.

She isn't managing - recent rent rises and cost of living show that people need to earn more than the bare minimum.

You are being unreasonable for suggesting she needs to do Min wage "because people need to do that job". Get a grip.

It's a house share at £550 that's reasonable for Manchester

No she's not eligible for a council house. No children.

You don't need children to go on the list?

Just won't get many points so won't get allocated.

@megansmarkle so £550 is inclusive of bills? As UC won't pay that part as rent.

Sadly because she's under the age of 35 she's only entitled to room rate. It may be worth applying for discretionary housing benefit. It's bedn a while since I check it though

@calmcoco you don't know that re council housing. Some councils will not accept registering without certain conditions. My council will only accept you registering if you have disabilities that would make you more vulnerable if homeless. The predicted wait for council/ social housing where I live is 13 years...

@megansmarkle

https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200008/benefits_and_support/1342/discretionary_housing_payments

Your post comes across as snubbing her for being 30 and in a minimum wage job. For a variety of reasons, minimum wage roles are all some people can do.
And my point still stands.... those jobs need to be done by someone.

Loads of jobs are a kick in the arse off minimum wage though. Call centres, supermarkets, admin, hospitality. Looking at job market locally there is a glut of jobs which pay £21k a year ish for full time work.

As for your cousin does she have a lot of ties to the area? In her position I’d consider a live in role at a big countryside hotel. Staff accommodation is normally en-suite and you get three meals a day for £70 a week bills included. I think it can be a good way to get back on your feet/ save up some money.