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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Universal credit

52 replies

Strawberriesandcreammm · 04/09/2023 23:01

I’m a new mum unfortunately a single parent to my beautiful 10month old I’ve unfortunately and embarrassingly had to accept universal credits help, I cannot return to my job as I have no family to take my baby and I’m too worried about nursery at this age point in my baby’s life.
i live privately rented just me and my little one and I’m only able to get £1,000 that’s including my £650 rent and I’m worried I’m not going to be able to survive? Does anyone have any advice?

OP posts:
Freshstarts23 · 04/09/2023 23:03

Those amounts are not right. You should be getting your housing element (£650) plus your personal allowance and child element. Sounds like your child element is missing.

Original poster
Strawberriesandcreammm · 04/09/2023 23:05

I rang them three times and they basically said I’ll only get £1,000 and that’s including my £650 rent and I stated I have bills, food and shopping they said unfortunately that’s all I’m entitled too I’m so stressed😭

OP posts:
Malapataraso · 04/09/2023 23:08

“I’m too worried about nursery at this age point in my baby’s life.”

Sounds like you don’t have a choice, dear. If nursery is available so you can go back to work, that might be what you have to do.

Perfectlblendedchaos · 04/09/2023 23:08

hi is your housing element listed as 650 or is listed as less because your Local housing allowance is less than 650 ?

SpringSummerDreamer · 04/09/2023 23:09

Why isn't day nursery an option? Lots of people would like to be off with their babies, but, if the economics don't stack up, you just can't. By the time you get a job and starting date, he or she will almost be a toddler and most really flourish at nursery.

I do understand the apprehension, but two of mine went to nursery at 5/6months and one at 18 months. Now all grown up and no obvious difference in the way they developed, settled in school, achieved or developed social relationships.

Babyroobs · 04/09/2023 23:10

Freshstarts23 · 04/09/2023 23:03

Those amounts are not right. You should be getting your housing element (£650) plus your personal allowance and child element. Sounds like your child element is missing.

Not necessarily. It depends what op's local housing allowance is for private rent. Full rent may not be covered by the rent element so she may need to pay some herself .

Babyroobs · 04/09/2023 23:11

You would be much better off by working even a few hours due to the work allowance you would get.

Original poster
Strawberriesandcreammm · 04/09/2023 23:11

my job starts at 5am and finishes at 7:30 I don’t drive so I have about a hours bus journey there and back no one can have my baby at that time equally my job has stated they cannot be flexible with their timing either leaving me with no choice currently.

my rent stated to them was £650 and they give £650 I believe I’m all new to this so I genuinely am not sure as I’m still supported by my maternity pay currently

OP posts:
ISeeARedDoorAndIWantToBreakIn · 04/09/2023 23:11

Is the father paying maintenance?

BungleandGeorge · 04/09/2023 23:12

Have you got savings so you’re entitled to less money?
very common to start nursery around 1 yo, what is your concern there? Maybe look for a childminder? If you can’t afford not to work it’s the only option? Or is there any cheaper housing available?

Whattodo112222 · 04/09/2023 23:12

Are you worried about the cost of nursery or that your baby is too young to go to nursery? Seems a bit much to give up work if you're able to send them to nursery. You'd get UC help as a single parent with your childcare. I work full time and I get UC top up which pays three quarters of my rent and council tax.
You'd be better off working and claiming UC top up. UC works off entitlement, if you're entitled £1000 then that's all you'll get.

Original poster
Strawberriesandcreammm · 04/09/2023 23:12

No the father wants nothing to do with the child it’s currently being handled by the child maintenance team I believe but I don’t know his current address so they’re having to locate him

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 04/09/2023 23:13

Strawberriesandcreammm · 04/09/2023 23:05

I rang them three times and they basically said I’ll only get £1,000 and that’s including my £650 rent and I stated I have bills, food and shopping they said unfortunately that’s all I’m entitled too I’m so stressed😭

If your Uc rent element is not covering your full rent ( it will say on your statement how much they are paying you towards rent ) then you can apply to your local council for discretionary housing payment to help with the shortfall. It is only a short term measure though and not permanent and not always awarded.

Whattodo112222 · 04/09/2023 23:13

Also you'd be expecting to look for work once your baby reaches a certain age. Its incredibly hard living solely off UC.

Perfectlblendedchaos · 04/09/2023 23:14

If you are under 25
your universal credit without rent element is 561.69

and over 25
is 628.42

if your local housing allowance is less than 650 then your full rent won’t be added only what the local housing allowance is.

PosterBoy · 04/09/2023 23:15

Get a better job. Put your child in nursery. Move area somewhere with cheaper rent (you could look for a job with better hours at the same time).
You don't have many alternatives really.

ConsuelaHammock · 04/09/2023 23:15

If the hours don’t work then you need to find a new job. Lots of women have to put their children into nursery at 10 months old. Your child will be fine.
I think £1000 a month to stay at home is generous tbh

Babyroobs · 04/09/2023 23:15

Strawberriesandcreammm · 04/09/2023 23:11

my job starts at 5am and finishes at 7:30 I don’t drive so I have about a hours bus journey there and back no one can have my baby at that time equally my job has stated they cannot be flexible with their timing either leaving me with no choice currently.

my rent stated to them was £650 and they give £650 I believe I’m all new to this so I genuinely am not sure as I’m still supported by my maternity pay currently

If you are still being paid some smp then that will be reducing your Uc so it will go up when your smp stops.

Original poster
Strawberriesandcreammm · 04/09/2023 23:18

I’ve spoken to them i get more now on SMP then when my wages stop - they said once it’s stopped it’s only £1,000 I’ll be receiving.

I nearly lost my baby during birth so I have anxiety around leaving him etc which is being managed by counselling. I cannot just find another place it’s not as easy as that I would have to make myself and my som homeless, I’ve spoken to uc about leaving for somewhere cheaper and they said they’d not be able to house me anywbere any time soon waiting list is of 8months I’d need to go into a house share with my baby

I’m looking to get a job closer and for three days a week by the time my baby is one which they’re all aware of I do not want to live off of uc I want my life back to normal to provide better for me and my baby

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 04/09/2023 23:24

Ok well if they are paying you rent element of £650 which covers your full rent, then once your SMP stops you would be getting more than £1000 a month.
Rent £650 if you say it's all being covered.
Standard single element at least £292.11 ( more if you are over 25)
Child element £259.58
Total UC at least £1201.71 with no smp.
Plus child benefit of £20 + a week.

Original poster
Strawberriesandcreammm · 04/09/2023 23:28

I’ve just checked what I’d get and they are correct it’s
£1,161
standard allowance
£292.11
rent
£650.00
child
£219.00

OP posts:
Original poster
Strawberriesandcreammm · 04/09/2023 23:28

I’m only 23 so is this why it’s so low?

OP posts:
Fidgety31 · 04/09/2023 23:29

“I’ve spoken to uc about leaving for somewhere cheaper and they said they’d not be able to house me anywbere any time soon waiting list is of 8months I’d need to go into a house share with my baby “

it isn’t UC that house you - they just pay towards the rent .

Babyroobs · 04/09/2023 23:30

Strawberriesandcreammm · 04/09/2023 23:28

I’m only 23 so is this why it’s so low?

Yes standard rate is lower if under 25.
Your child element should be £259.58.