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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not understand how universal credit works

49 replies

Kneeboobs · 25/01/2025 00:40

Please bare with me,I know a lot of benefit bashing goes on here but I really need advice as can't access any in RL until Monday at least.
Finally finally got around to working out how much I get now I'm on universal credit compared to when I was getting ESA and child tax( I'm soon to get my 4th monthly payment and from the very beginning I've really struggled and ended up very overdrawn within the first 2 weeks,I cut everything to the bone this month and already overdrawn with a week to go,this includes still having to pay rent,weekly food shop etc.
Turns out I'm getting £412 LESS a month!!! I assumed the transitional protection covered this!!!

OP posts:
pinkroses79 · 25/01/2025 00:44

Are you sure you’re getting the transitional protection? It was missed off mine and I had to contact them about it.

Quinlan · 25/01/2025 00:45

Did you take an advance?
Are you paying back any arrears or budget loans or anything like that?

Are you self employed? Because they use a minimum income floor which tax credits didn’t use. Tax credits would just top you up after looking at what you earned but UC won’t. They’ll calculate using a minimum income, whether you earned it or not. So people who used to get loads of tax credits because they “ran a business” which didn’t make any money will lose a lot in benefits because they get calculated as if they earned the money.

MrsJHernandez · 25/01/2025 02:12

You don't say whether you're single or not. I know my UC changes, depending on what my DH earns the previous month. I usually get nothing tbh. I got about 2 small payments last year.

The transitional protection reduces over time.

How it works
If your existing benefits are more than your Universal Credit entitlement, you'll receive a top up payment
The payment makes up the difference between your previous and new benefits
The payment is not time-limited, but it will decrease over time
If your circumstances change after you've made your claim, the payment may stop

£412 is a huge drop if you've been used to getting it regularly. I have no idea how they expect someone to manage that way. I suppose it's because it's calculated by a computer and not by humans.

Their maximum rent payment is far too low for the current rental market. How do they think people can pay their rent and everything else if they can't work, but are not given enough to live on?! That's what leads to benefit fraud IMO.

I would say that your rent should be paid before anything else. You don't want to rack up renters arrears and end up with no roof over your heads.

I know it sounds harsh (but I don't have any other answers and can only offer practical advice) but you're going to have to cut back even more.

Eg.
Stop smoking (if you do).
No alcohol.
No personal treats ie make-up, clothes, nice toiletries/skincare.
Meal plan.
No ready meals or frozen junk. Make all meals from scratch using a few cheap ingredients and cheap cuts of meat that you can slow cook and stretch to a few meals. Meat may seem expensive, but if you can make one joint last a few meals, it's often more economical in the long-run. It doesn't apply to all meats, such as beef. Pork shoulder is a good option as it's relatively cheap per lb, slow cooks well and goes a long way when shredded. Also very versatile.
Use bone-in chicken and not breast. Legs slow cook nicely and fall off the bone.
Oh, get a slow cooker! I got a huge refurbished Lakeland one on Ebay for £15 and use regularly.
Reduce fresh fruit (it's so expensive!).
Stock up on larger bags of rice and pasta. (In fact, anything that comes in larger packs is cheaper in the long-run than buying multiple small packs, ie loo roll)
Stock up on passata or tinned tomatoes.
Stock up on your fave herbs and spices. (Look at bags in world foods section of Asda, - about a £1 a bag and you get way more for your money than the jars).
No jarred or packet sauces (crap compared to homemade anyway!).
Buy big pots of yoghurt and not multi-packs.
Reduce portion size a bit if overeating (No shade here, I know I do!).
Use washing powder instead of tablets.
Buy cheap softener and add in a couple of drops of fragranced concentrated disinfectant (such as Zoflora. Plenty of cheaper versions/brands available now)
Dilute said concentrate with water in a spray bottle instead of buying kitchen sprays.
No chocolate, cakes, crisps or treats (Very depressing 😞)
No takeaways.
Heating on less.
Use less water (ie quick shower instead of bath).
Turn off lights in rooms you're not in.
Walk instead of driving.
Don't always assume the cheapest option is the best value.

I apologise if you're already doing these things and are still struggling. I know it's crap, but I don't know what else to suggest if you can't work.

Kneeboobs · 25/01/2025 04:34

MrsJHernandez · 25/01/2025 02:12

You don't say whether you're single or not. I know my UC changes, depending on what my DH earns the previous month. I usually get nothing tbh. I got about 2 small payments last year.

The transitional protection reduces over time.

How it works
If your existing benefits are more than your Universal Credit entitlement, you'll receive a top up payment
The payment makes up the difference between your previous and new benefits
The payment is not time-limited, but it will decrease over time
If your circumstances change after you've made your claim, the payment may stop

£412 is a huge drop if you've been used to getting it regularly. I have no idea how they expect someone to manage that way. I suppose it's because it's calculated by a computer and not by humans.

Their maximum rent payment is far too low for the current rental market. How do they think people can pay their rent and everything else if they can't work, but are not given enough to live on?! That's what leads to benefit fraud IMO.

I would say that your rent should be paid before anything else. You don't want to rack up renters arrears and end up with no roof over your heads.

I know it sounds harsh (but I don't have any other answers and can only offer practical advice) but you're going to have to cut back even more.

Eg.
Stop smoking (if you do).
No alcohol.
No personal treats ie make-up, clothes, nice toiletries/skincare.
Meal plan.
No ready meals or frozen junk. Make all meals from scratch using a few cheap ingredients and cheap cuts of meat that you can slow cook and stretch to a few meals. Meat may seem expensive, but if you can make one joint last a few meals, it's often more economical in the long-run. It doesn't apply to all meats, such as beef. Pork shoulder is a good option as it's relatively cheap per lb, slow cooks well and goes a long way when shredded. Also very versatile.
Use bone-in chicken and not breast. Legs slow cook nicely and fall off the bone.
Oh, get a slow cooker! I got a huge refurbished Lakeland one on Ebay for £15 and use regularly.
Reduce fresh fruit (it's so expensive!).
Stock up on larger bags of rice and pasta. (In fact, anything that comes in larger packs is cheaper in the long-run than buying multiple small packs, ie loo roll)
Stock up on passata or tinned tomatoes.
Stock up on your fave herbs and spices. (Look at bags in world foods section of Asda, - about a £1 a bag and you get way more for your money than the jars).
No jarred or packet sauces (crap compared to homemade anyway!).
Buy big pots of yoghurt and not multi-packs.
Reduce portion size a bit if overeating (No shade here, I know I do!).
Use washing powder instead of tablets.
Buy cheap softener and add in a couple of drops of fragranced concentrated disinfectant (such as Zoflora. Plenty of cheaper versions/brands available now)
Dilute said concentrate with water in a spray bottle instead of buying kitchen sprays.
No chocolate, cakes, crisps or treats (Very depressing 😞)
No takeaways.
Heating on less.
Use less water (ie quick shower instead of bath).
Turn off lights in rooms you're not in.
Walk instead of driving.
Don't always assume the cheapest option is the best value.

I apologise if you're already doing these things and are still struggling. I know it's crap, but I don't know what else to suggest if you can't work.

Hi,thank you,some great ideas.I don't smoke,been tea total 5 years,do not wear make up,haven't had my eyebrows done since before covid.
I have a slow cooker,very under utilised I must say.Do not eat much meat but you are right,it's always breast.
I don't drive,my daughter does though so I pay her petrol for shopping etc.Takeaways are a christmas eve treat

OP posts:
MrsJHernandez · 25/01/2025 12:49

@Kneeboobs

I think one takeaway a year is more than reasonable!

I've had my eyebrows done once since covid. Probably would start again when I get back to work. Don't even get my hair cut once a year either. It's so expensive now. Last cut and blowdry was £70! Pre covid it was about £40.

Yeah, breast is expensive. If you really don't want to contend with the bones and skin on legs, you can buy skinless and boneless legs for a bit more. Lidl has the best value packs for these. You could slow cook a load up, portion it into bags and freeze for easy ready cooked chicken. There are so many delicious slow cook recipes on tinternet now.

It sounds like you're very much trying your best with what you have. I'm sorry its such a struggle. I an only imagine your panic and stress. Everything is so expensive and benefits haven't fallen in line with that, IMO.

Miley1967 · 25/01/2025 13:03

If you are in the support group of ESA, has the LCWRA element been added to your claim? Maybe post your most recent statement .

Kneeboobs · 25/01/2025 13:12

Miley1967 · 25/01/2025 13:03

If you are in the support group of ESA, has the LCWRA element been added to your claim? Maybe post your most recent statement .

Hi thanks for replying,what does LCWRA stand for please?

OP posts:
Kneeboobs · 25/01/2025 13:16

pinkroses79 · 25/01/2025 00:44

Are you sure you’re getting the transitional protection? It was missed off mine and I had to contact them about it.

I'm getting a little but obviously nowhere near what it should be,I've posted in my journal,will just have to wait til Monday to contact them.
I hope I'm able to get it corrected and backdated as that will help tremendously.

OP posts:
iamnotalemon · 25/01/2025 13:19

The rules around benefits always seem so confusing to me, so I'm no help I'm afraid!

Acc0untant · 25/01/2025 13:53

Kneeboobs · 25/01/2025 13:16

I'm getting a little but obviously nowhere near what it should be,I've posted in my journal,will just have to wait til Monday to contact them.
I hope I'm able to get it corrected and backdated as that will help tremendously.

You only get transitional protection if you waited until you had to move to UC. If you moved over earlier than that you wouldn't be eligible.

NotthinglikeaBondGirl · 25/01/2025 14:00

Hi thanks for replying,what does LCWRA stand for please?

Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity.

Firefly100 · 25/01/2025 14:08

I’d go see Citizens Advice - they are really good with benefits

Miley1967 · 25/01/2025 14:10

Kneeboobs · 25/01/2025 13:12

Hi thanks for replying,what does LCWRA stand for please?

It's the extra element you should be getting on UC if you are in the support group of ESA. It is extra money because you are unable to work.

InDogweRust · 25/01/2025 14:10

Are you self employed at all?

NotthinglikeaBondGirl · 25/01/2025 14:12

You should also look into claiming Personal Independent Payments (PIP) - Citizen's Advice can help you with this as the form is a monster over 40 pages.

DragonFly98 · 25/01/2025 14:15

If you post your statement with no identifying details I can check for you. Were you contribution or income based ESA? If it’s contribution based you will still get your ESA in addition to UC.

user1468867181 · 25/01/2025 14:18

If you are unsure if you are getting the right amount of Universal Credit I would contact Citizens Advice. Welfare Rights or a similar advice agency in your area. They should be able to check that your UC payments are correct and check that all the right elements are included.

Kneeboobs · 25/01/2025 14:18

Acc0untant · 25/01/2025 13:53

You only get transitional protection if you waited until you had to move to UC. If you moved over earlier than that you wouldn't be eligible.

It was managed migration,I wasn't given a choice.

OP posts:
Kneeboobs · 25/01/2025 14:19

InDogweRust · 25/01/2025 14:10

Are you self employed at all?

Edited

No never been self employed.

OP posts:
Kneeboobs · 25/01/2025 14:21

DragonFly98 · 25/01/2025 14:15

If you post your statement with no identifying details I can check for you. Were you contribution or income based ESA? If it’s contribution based you will still get your ESA in addition to UC.

@DragonFly98 Thank you,It was income based plus severe disability premium and child tax for 1 child.Will post statement now.

OP posts:
Kneeboobs · 25/01/2025 14:26

@DragonFly98 @Miley1967

To not understand how universal credit works
OP posts:
Miley1967 · 25/01/2025 14:37

Kneeboobs · 25/01/2025 14:26

@DragonFly98 @Miley1967

Ok so if you were n the support group of ESA you should have the LCWRA element on that statement which is roughly equivalent to the amount you say you are worse off by. You need to leave a note on your journal asking for this element to be applied and backdated. This only applies if you were in the support group. This is likely to reduce the transitional protection you already have though, but should have been added from the start anyway and had it been you likely wouldn't have had any TP. Do speak to CAB to check though. Getting the LCWRA element will add an extra £416 to the other elements but TP element will be wiped out. I think this is how it works anyway.

yourmaw · 25/01/2025 14:51

I did transition thing just before xmas. I now recieve UC and also ESA. Use the journal thing and ask if esa payments continue?

Miley1967 · 25/01/2025 17:30

yourmaw · 25/01/2025 14:51

I did transition thing just before xmas. I now recieve UC and also ESA. Use the journal thing and ask if esa payments continue?

Esa would only continue if any part of the ESA claim was contributions based. It is also deducted from UC in full.

Kneeboobs · 25/01/2025 17:35

Quinlan · 25/01/2025 00:45

Did you take an advance?
Are you paying back any arrears or budget loans or anything like that?

Are you self employed? Because they use a minimum income floor which tax credits didn’t use. Tax credits would just top you up after looking at what you earned but UC won’t. They’ll calculate using a minimum income, whether you earned it or not. So people who used to get loads of tax credits because they “ran a business” which didn’t make any money will lose a lot in benefits because they get calculated as if they earned the money.

No advance and no repayments as yet, not self employed,single,disabled,one child.

OP posts:
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