Universal credit

[Strawberriesandcreammm]

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?

Universal credit is a very small amount of money.

My friend got about £74 a week when her business failed in the pandemic. (No rent, no kids,) plus something deducted off her council tax.

And that was it.

She was in disbelief about it and had a phone call with CAB to find out which Magic Benefits Tree she'd missed.

She was genuinely gobsmacked to find out she was getting every penny she was entitled to.

Uc is pretty dire for anyone not working and particularly single people. It becomes a lot more generous for people with kids, especially when they are working because of the work allowances and taper rates which allow working people to earn a certain amount without losing any UC and then on a taper. I'm really surprised how much some working people get but then it's a benefit to incentivize people to work and keep them working. If op is currently still getting some smp she will likely be getting to keep most of that as well as the UC amount. It just becomes dire when earnings stop altogether. It's hard when you are used to earning a decent wage then drop to UC only.