Page 8 | To be absolutely fking sick of Universal Credit

user1471516498 · 08/02/2025 00:39

This TaXpAyEr gets fucked over by it too. Any time I have been recruiting for a position in my small business, the targets set for jobseekers mean that I get spammed to high heaven. Between applicants with no qualifications, applications from so far away that there is no possible way that they could get to the job, applicants with childcare responsibilities that mean that they couldn't take the job, clients who really should be on disability benefit... And to add to all this, these applications come in for months after the vacancy has been filled.

XenoBitch · 08/02/2025 00:42

user1471516498 · 08/02/2025 00:39

This TaXpAyEr gets fucked over by it too. Any time I have been recruiting for a position in my small business, the targets set for jobseekers mean that I get spammed to high heaven. Between applicants with no qualifications, applications from so far away that there is no possible way that they could get to the job, applicants with childcare responsibilities that mean that they couldn't take the job, clients who really should be on disability benefit... And to add to all this, these applications come in for months after the vacancy has been filled.

Not the jobseekers fault, really. They have to show they have applied for jobs, even if they have no hope of getting them. I was told I would have to apply for construction site jobs, despite lacking the certification to even set foot on a site. Other people - told to apply for lorry driving jobs when they don't even have a license. It is daft.

crackofdoom · 08/02/2025 00:49

TempNameUC · 07/02/2025 20:01

The system is terrible but people keep voting to punish the poor under the guise of 'fairness'... I get UC despite working full time, having no dependents and not having had a rent increase for 15 years. And I'm not on minimum wage either, I'm a Universal Credit work coach.

Oh, the bitter irony.

user1471516498 · 08/02/2025 00:51

And yes I know that jobseekers are just doing what they need to do to avoid sanctions, I am not blaming them. Its the system that is the problem. And I am also salty because I had a tight deadline this week and had to waste time that I really didn't have to deal with job applications from people who couldn't take a job which had already been filled. This pointless busy work is just wasting everyone's time.

user1471516498 · 08/02/2025 00:52

XenoBitch · 08/02/2025 00:42

Not the jobseekers fault, really. They have to show they have applied for jobs, even if they have no hope of getting them. I was told I would have to apply for construction site jobs, despite lacking the certification to even set foot on a site. Other people - told to apply for lorry driving jobs when they don't even have a license. It is daft.

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Sorry, we cross posted, I know its not the jobseekers fault, see my post directly above.

BreatheAndFocus · 08/02/2025 08:16

scorpiogirly · 07/02/2025 17:08

It was a huge jump too. From 743 to 892!

Are you looking at changing jobs or just going along with their appointments?

And yes I agree about focusing on those who don't work at all. Obviously excluding people with disabilities and caring responsibilities.

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Yes, a ridiculously massive jump! No, I won’t be changing my job. I enjoy it and it’s an important job, largely done by women and thus, IMO, underpaid. That’s the real problem - employers paying shit money and then UC having a go at employees who can do nothing about it.

Also, I sometimes pick up some overtime. You’d think UC would like this, right? No, they don’t - because the system is set up by idiots! I do my overtime, get extra money - but then the next month they start harassing me because my ‘wages have dropped’ when, in fact, they’ve just reverted back to normal 🙄

TempNameUC · 08/02/2025 09:11

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Yes, that's fine. It is up to you how to record your work search. You don't need to use the online journal for this at all if you don't want to.

Original poster

scorpiogirly · 08/02/2025 09:36

XenoBitch · 08/02/2025 00:42

Not the jobseekers fault, really. They have to show they have applied for jobs, even if they have no hope of getting them. I was told I would have to apply for construction site jobs, despite lacking the certification to even set foot on a site. Other people - told to apply for lorry driving jobs when they don't even have a license. It is daft.

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Its like they're saying, right as you're not working right now we're going to punish you by wasting as much of your time as possible.

OP posts:

CdcRuben · 08/02/2025 14:00

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DrCoconut · 08/02/2025 14:26

Bryonyberries · 07/02/2025 22:55

Not financial net contributors but we are all labour contributors. Without those in low income jobs doing very necessary roles in society there wouldn't be a society. It isn't the workers fault that their role isn't valued highly enough that they aren't paid enough to live on without help from UC.

Covid showed that many of the most vital roles are also low paid roles. The people who care for others be that children or the elderly are paid far less than their role deserves. They are definitely contributors in every other way for society. Nursery workers allow everyone else to work, elderly carers allow their families to work. Without people in roles such as these there would be a very different dynamic.

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This post actually gives me hope. Finally some recognition that being on a six figure salary and "contributing" isn't everything. That single mum (who is accused of being a scrounger) serving drinks on hospital wards while her kids are at school is allowing the surgeons (who are respected) to work by providing a suitable place for the patients to recover. The person with a disability (obviously faking it right?) working part time in a shop or restaurant as their health permits is allowing the well off (hardworking taxpayers) to spend their money. The person who is simply not academic enough for a "professional" job but tries their best and works in a vital service role lets those who believe themselves superior live and work in a clean, safe environment, receive deliveries, book ubers etc. I am so pleased that someone else sees this.

Scaredofdwp · 08/02/2025 14:30

My ESA (cb/sg) didn’t arrive yesterday and then discovered they were migrating me to UC because our tax credits were migrating - I was told it wouldn’t happen but it has. Now I’ve no idea when im getting my esa and our tax credits migration claim won’t be decided until end of this month so I may be the whole
of Feb without any money.

DrCoconut · 08/02/2025 14:33

I should of course add the childcare workers who many of the high earners are utterly reliant on. Those workers could well be on universal credit as they are so poorly paid. Their employers/clients have the cheek to slag them off as a drain on society for not being "net contributors". Try handing over more of your six figure income then.

Miley1967 · 08/02/2025 15:03

Scaredofdwp · 08/02/2025 14:30

My ESA (cb/sg) didn’t arrive yesterday and then discovered they were migrating me to UC because our tax credits were migrating - I was told it wouldn’t happen but it has. Now I’ve no idea when im getting my esa and our tax credits migration claim won’t be decided until end of this month so I may be the whole
of Feb without any money.

If your ESA is contributions based ( which your previous thread seemed to suggest ) then it should carry on being paid two weekly. I doubt it would be income related if your dh is working.

Chattygirl123 · 08/02/2025 19:18

What I hate about it is you never know from month to month how much you are going to get. And my husband is a farmer and its definitely not set up for how they earn money. As a result we've got no UC for 3 months. At least with Tax Credits you knew exactly what you were getting each month. Tbf the staff have been lovely but I really don't think they give f*!

Snakebite61 · 08/02/2025 19:20

scorpiogirly · 07/02/2025 09:26

Posted a few days ago regarding being called in for an appointment after work messed my wages up.

Went through all pay slips and could see the mistake, also could then see the basic pay per month which is over the AET. This is after increasing my hours.

So I messaged the work coach and explained what happened and that going forward my pay would be over the AET and asked if I still needed to attend the meeting which is today.

I was told yes as it was under last month. And we can discuss this apparently when I go in. Discuss what? Possible reasons work made the mistake? This is a work search appointment. For which there will be nothing to discuss or put in place as I will be over the AET.

But no, let's still waste my time, their time and also taxpayers money.

I just hate it. The way they make you jump through hoops in order to get the help you're entitled to.

Just a rant really. Does anyone hate UC as much as me?

The reason so many people go on the sick is because of they're gestapo tactics. They go out of the way to make your life a misery and affect your mental health.
Now labour want to have a go at the disabled. Stupid and anti productive.

Kerensa70 · 08/02/2025 19:31

Entitled????

CatComments · 08/02/2025 20:03

scorpiogirly · 07/02/2025 19:31

The thing is, being a single parent full stop is bloody hard. I know millions of people do it and have done it for years but it doesn't make it any easier. Many have parents or other relatives that help and have the kids sometimes. I spent most of my time at my nan's house whilst my mother worked. So although my mother was a single parent, she had that help. I do not.

We're effectively doing the job of two people in terms of running a household and having sole care of a young child. Add pets onto that too. I have a dog and now a cat who decided he wanted to live me with me 😆

So everything, cooking, cleaning, admin, washing, ironing, gardening, decorating. There is noone to take turns giving the child a bath which in itself is a chore when you're knackered. Noone to cook or wash dishes now and then. This probably sounds so dramatic but it's how it is. It would be nice to have a cup of tea made for me on occasion!

So working full time on top of all that would be nigh on impossible right now I think. Not that I want to stay on UC. Which is why I've started a small side hustle which will hopefully turn into something with a decent income.

And yes, going into the job centre is horrible!

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I hope your side hustle isn't some sort of MLM is it? That's usually doomed to get you deeper in problems rather than helping you out. If it isn't an MLM then good luck with it, and I hope it helps you!

TempNameUC · 08/02/2025 20:08

Kerensa70 · 08/02/2025 19:31

Entitled????

'Believing oneself to be inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment.' Hope that helps.

TheOnionEyes · 08/02/2025 20:10

DrCoconut · 07/02/2025 10:30

Another thing with it is that it's less money than tax credits but you lose free prescriptions and dentist when you're moved over. How does having a reduced income make these more affordable? I'm skimping on dental work that I need due to long term issues because I can't justify the cost.

You are still entitled to free dentistry and prescriptions. There is even a tick box on the prescription for Universal Credit claimants, which nullifies you from paying.

Someone from the DWP probably gave that incorrect information to someone, and of course it would spread like wildfire 🔥 out of horror. Tbh, it is believable. It is something they would do. I just wouldn't put anything past the government. Our pockets get more empty, whilst theirs get more full! However, on this case, it's still free "for now."

Lollipop81 · 08/02/2025 20:12

Why do you have to see a work coach when you have a job? I work 21 hours a week, claim UC for wraparound fees, I don’t have to attend appointments.

Lollipop81 · 08/02/2025 20:14

TheOnionEyes · 08/02/2025 20:10

You are still entitled to free dentistry and prescriptions. There is even a tick box on the prescription for Universal Credit claimants, which nullifies you from paying.

Someone from the DWP probably gave that incorrect information to someone, and of course it would spread like wildfire 🔥 out of horror. Tbh, it is believable. It is something they would do. I just wouldn't put anything past the government. Our pockets get more empty, whilst theirs get more full! However, on this case, it's still free "for now."

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You don’t immediately qualify if you are on UC. You need to earn less than a certain amount, and it is low, I can’t remember off the top of my head.

TempNameUC · 08/02/2025 20:14

TheOnionEyes · 08/02/2025 20:10

You are still entitled to free dentistry and prescriptions. There is even a tick box on the prescription for Universal Credit claimants, which nullifies you from paying.

Someone from the DWP probably gave that incorrect information to someone, and of course it would spread like wildfire 🔥 out of horror. Tbh, it is believable. It is something they would do. I just wouldn't put anything past the government. Our pockets get more empty, whilst theirs get more full! However, on this case, it's still free "for now."

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You're entitled to free dental care if your income is below £435/month, under Tax Credits it was if your income was below £15,276/year or £1273/month.

Spaghetti12 · 08/02/2025 20:18

This is not right, put in a complaint. Appointments can also be conducted over the phone

CdcRuben · 08/02/2025 20:18

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thisfilmisboring123 · 08/02/2025 20:20

TheOnionEyes · 08/02/2025 20:10

You are still entitled to free dentistry and prescriptions. There is even a tick box on the prescription for Universal Credit claimants, which nullifies you from paying.

Someone from the DWP probably gave that incorrect information to someone, and of course it would spread like wildfire 🔥 out of horror. Tbh, it is believable. It is something they would do. I just wouldn't put anything past the government. Our pockets get more empty, whilst theirs get more full! However, on this case, it's still free "for now."

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No, it’s not free everyone on UC.

You have to be on UC and have an income of lower than £435 or £935 if responsible for a child or have lcwra in the relevant AP.