AIBU to be angry about the benefits system

[Daffodilsinfebruary]

I have recently discovered by using a free, independent benefits calculator called entitledto that had I applied for Universal Credit over 2 years ago, me and my family would be over £16,000 better off.

I had assumed that benefits were for either single-parent families or people unable to work due to disability.

The majority of our savings would have been from claiming 85% back in childcare costs. We also would have had a payout of over £200 each month in addition.

For context, we bring in just shy off £4,000 a month. I thought this was a very reasonable income and we would be entitled to nil.

I feel angry that we did not know about this. A friend of mine who I met through our children attending the same nursery told me she claims 85% back in childcare costs during a conversation in which I complained of my childcare going up £150.

I did further research and 19 billion pounds apparently goes unclaimed every year.

I’ve never claimed benefits in all my life and worked hard to get on the property ladder.

should I be angry that we didn’t claim, or take it in my stride.

I wonder how many other families who could have claimed but haven’t.

Okay but also, would your benefits not stop as soon as your savings got to £6k? So you would in fact just have 6k savings and then back to normal.

No, benefits are reduced when you have £6k in savings. The threshold for them being stopped altogether is £16k.

Exactly my thoughts too

@XenoBitch ahh okay thanks for clarifying.

What, how! I’m a single parent working full time and am entitled to UC so don’t see why you wouldn’t be. Although I don’t get child maintenance.

You've hit the nail on the head
Years ago in london my dad aplied for a roofing grant as advised by mates - this is the days before the internet etc - went to the coucil - met by a very rude staff memeber possibly having an off day - asked day re his income etc and mortgage payems etc - as dad worked and earned above minimum wage - it was a big NO. Had he been out of work for even a short while, I think we would have got the roofing grant. Within a few months dad got a new roof paid for by self.

At times it looks like you are pensilised for earning a hlaf decent wageand dad did as he often worked 50/55 hour weeks

errr what! We take home around the same, maybe less and I didn’t think we were entitled to anything?! Although we do have 30 hours free childcare when the kids have turned 3… one is at school now and one is claiming that and the youngest doesn’t get it yet but now I’m wondering if we could get more! I never for a second thought we could?! I will be checking!

I don't know! I just fiddled the calculator and if I work less hours than full time (same salary pro rata) I'm better off than working the extra day 🤯 by a lot too. Baffling.

Sure i read somewhere that you can't get universal credits if you claim the tax free childcare though its one or the other you can't have both

Ok, so I may have read this wrong.

But isn't Op saying she's entitled for universal credit?

If so that's really confusing as I know I'm not and as a family we earn the same amount each month.

I could do with a tiny extra to pay for my husband to have private medical for a diagnosis we've been struggling to get via NHS.

@Babyroobs also forgot to add the tax credits. I mean tax free child care. Completely got the words wrong that's on me.

If you had the same circumstances as the OP you too would be eligible for UC.

@Lifetooshort23

Sounds like a you problem , you can't be mad at the system because you didn't check and why are you moaning? if you don't need the money anyway it's a moot point

Does anyone have the link for the thread re second homes and universal credit? I have a friend in a similar situation and curious as to what’s said

My family earns the same amount. But I'm not entitled to anything. I've checked again.

I'm just confused. I'm guessing OPs family might have disabilities or some other thing that gives her entitlement to benefits.

I don't even have savings.

Just because you earn the same amount doesn’t mean your circumstances are the same. If you and DH have 2 DC and high childcare costs (i.e. the OP’s situation) you would be eligible. I put the calculation for 23/24 further up the thread. It would be slightly more with the 24/25.

You get 4 grand a month and you’re angry over £200? Get a grip.

I will have 2 children under the age of 4. I'm currently pregnant. If I was to put them in child care full time it would be more than my current pay. So I won't put them in full time.

My mortgage is more than 1k thanks to the interest rates. I was lucky it wasn't higher.

Maybe I could talk to Citizens advice but tbh I'd rather not claim if I really don't need it.

It would only be used for my husband diagnosis using private health care. On going issue. But he's not classed as disabled and with our a diagnosis we wouldn't even get PIP.

It's a mathematical formula. It's as simple as:

A
Household makeup
+/-
Disability
+/-
Housing costs (rent)
+/-
85% allowable childcare costs

B
(income - work allowance) x 0.55.

Total award = A-B

If you are on £4000 per month and don't get Universal Credit, it's because your total A isn't more than either £1977.88 (renters) or £1829.85 (non-renters).

It's that simple.

@Lougle

Ok, I'll check again when I'm awake incase I missed something out. But it's not important.

Well if the only elements are the standard allowance and 2 child elements you won’t get it anyway. OP’s circumstances mean she has the childcare element so would be eligible.

You don’t need a diagnosis for PIP.

Hello, not sure what you decided to do but just to let you know as I work for DWP - you won’t be entitled to the SMI loan as you’re in work. So when you remove that amount from the calculation, your entitlement will be lower so may not be as entitled as the calculator suggests. @Daffodilsinfebruary

So you checked before you had a child and then after you had a child you didn't think it was worth checking again? 😆

@MrsRaspberry this is correct, it’s one or the other