Benefits reduction

[Bonsaitreepic]

I got my UC payment today. Just checked and it’s almost £300 less than usual. This is because my oldest is now classed as an adult as he’s left ft education. He’s not currently in work.
I have 3 other children but now I seemingly only get support for 2 of them due to the child cap.
Im freaking out. I only get maintenance for one of the children as I have the other 2 50/50 with their dad. I cannot afford to lose this much money every month. I was already struggling as it was. I’m unable to work just yet as one of the children has complex needs. I already get some DLA for them.
im quite sure there’s nothing I can do about this but I’m so worried

@dinsday yes I believe that's what the OP said.

My comment was in response to the goady, patronising comment by the poster who was asking where the fathers were in all this.
As if no one in these situations thinks to ask the father for contributions. More like that fathers have washed their hands and are on to their next family, leaving the mother and tax payers to support their responsibilities.

So you are really only down £50 per month. £250 is going to your adult child and you are choosing to give him £200 of that money. Seems like there’s a simple solution there.

How do you come to that conclusion?

The usual position, and one the OP seems to imply, is that you have children you can afford with a "D"H. He then beggars off leaving the Mother holding the babies.

Same thing has happened to me! My eldest is away at university (20) and my youngest (16) moved in with his dads side of the family when I had a breakdown recently. My payment of £1000 UC a month has gone down to £650 even though I still need to pay for a three bed home and all the other expenses that come with it.

I could scream honestly! It’s been the worst time for me ever and considering covid was pretty bad, that’s saying something! I’m always running out of food and facing the way I may have to go is by starving to death….

I'm sorry but if you only take £50 q month off your DC when he is now getting UC then that's the issue. This has simply been transferred to his name because of the fact that he is of working age. In fact because he is working age he is likely to be receiving more now than he would have when it was paid direct to you. So what you really need to do is look at what you received before and.what you.needed to support him and charge him that. Charging him £50 a month isn't teaching him anything about how to survive on his own. If he claims himself he needs to be paying the amount you need to support him or move out simply and no there's nothing you can do to change this. The 2 child CPA has been in place for some time and you only received his as a discretionary payment because the cap previously changed.

With the greatest respect why does your son need £200 and only contributes £50 to the household finances? You are having to go without. I am sure from what you say you are having to strictly budget what you can and cannot afford for his siblings and yourself. I am sure if the roles were reversed you would assist him, it's only fair he should assist you.
Let's be honest here, there is no-one that could get a rented property and feed themselves for £50 a month

I’m confused, you are saying he pays for electric and things, so surely that is reducing your outgoings? Presumably your son was a fussy eater before he left education so this was catered for on the previous household income. The benefits going into your household is actually only £50 less. I don’t understand how you can’t sort this out with your son.

1. OP has clearly been in a relationship and has been open about the support from the other parent/s. Relationships end - that doesn’t make having children irresponsible.
2. benefit claimants are tax payers too so what do you mean by ‘the rest of us’ ? You pay your tax and NI and there is a benefit system there to act as a safety net when you need it. That’s what the OP is doing.

maybe downsize ?

Yeah, this unfortunately. UC isn't fun money, it's survival money. If he wants more/spends, there's his incentive to get a job.

Benefits claimants are only tax payers if they work, ones that don’t work don’t pay tax on earnings they don’t get

Immigrants of course.

Sorry I was in a similar situation and thought about this for years beforehand, aimed to make sure any debt cleared, reduced spending on anything non essential, made clear that would need to buy own food, clothes etc once left FT education etc, how has this seemingly come as such a shock to you? Also DLA, you do realise it will be paid directly to your child once they are 16.

If her son leaves home then what? Let's not pin parental choices on the son. He has come of age? So it's his fault his mum relied on enough benefits by him being under 18? Like someone else said earlier she would have been pre warned.

Yes the lad needs to work and pay his way. Equally whats mums plan? Invent a machine stopping the other kids becoming 18?

Oh steady on now. I was in a similar situation and studied and completed a degree. I suggested that op would be wise to think long term - even if she can’t work now. The shit I got is evident in this thread.

Who knew you could think to the future and take some responsibility for your future self - even in terrible circumstances.

If her son leaves home her costs will go down to be fair, she won't have to buy food for him and she could downsize to a smaller place.

My point was that it’s genuinely sick and disabled who carry the stigma. For a lot of people benefit claimant = fraudster. You only have to look at the number of MN posters who think they know all there is to know about friends or neighbours who they perceive as cheats because they know they claim sickness benefits but the disability isn’t obvious to them.

The benefits money isn’t pocket money for your son now that he has turned 18 and is still ‘thinking what to do’.

He is on the shilling of the tax payer so maybe be needs to get his arse in gear and get a job until he knows what he wants. The entitlement of some people is truly staggering!!

The dad question could be relevant if Op is very rural and dad lives somewhere with more job opportunities or better transport. Op is in a position where she can’t support a none working adult. That’s very normal and Op shouldn’t feel bad about that.

You can’t honestly expect taxpayers to fund you to live in a 3-bed house alone?

Downsize, there’s no need for you to starve.

Sit him down and tell him the cold hard facts. You used to get £300 for him and now instead, he gets £250 directly and you need £200 of it to pay rent and bills or you'll all end up evicted etc. It will also give him a kick up the backside to get a job and then ask for £300 from him. He will have more spending money if he has a job.

Bex - are you expecting to stay in a 3 bed house when there is just you?

Ok…. Cool. I’ve been looking for some where for five years it’s really not that simple!

If he didn’t have money when he was in school why does he need £200 of the £250?
surely both you and he knew he was finishing education and should have planned accordingly?
there are lots of agencies and other jobs that have quick starts. It is irrespective if he doesn’t know what he wants to do in the future…he needs any job right now and can be picky later. Choice is a privilege.
if your child with complex needs is in school then there are plenty of term time only jobs going. Those who want to work always finds a way. I have MS and my daughter has severe learning disabilities, uncontrolled epilepsy, PEG fed….I work as a single parent with no support. I didn’t have a choice.

Sounds like a 1 bed flat or a room in a house share could work for you