To believe UC needs a bloody makeover!

[Lovethystupidneighbour]

Don’t panic - not a benefits bashing thread.

I see a lot of negativity around the benefits system in the UK (namely UC) but it needs to be said that in the right circumstances you can be very comfortable on benefits. It seems the government is incompetent and distributing these benefits efficiently. Why do some people get too much money and others get not enough to breathe on? Seems bloody ridiculous to me. UC is not fit for purpose!

AIBU to think they need to create a better system? How is this the best they can come up with?

Sounds very much like bashing to me!

the amount people get depends very much on their circumstances and the ability to work. What’s your plan for a better system?

Bashing the system for sure! It’s not fit for purpose.

Better calculation system I guess would be a start?

One of my ILs has a lot of health problems and assorted other issues, but struggles to survive on benefits. So yes, it does look as if UC isn't calibrated properly.

Calculations based on what?

How much you get on UC depends on your circumstances.

You're going to have to be specific about what part you disagree with I think?

For the record, I don't think it pays enough to people (single or couples) without children, and people without rental costs. The biggest chunk of UC comes from the housing element for your rent, which of course doesn't help if you have a mortgage. If you have multiple children (born before 2017) you can get a loottt of money too. But screwed if your kids are born after 2017.

What are your specifics OP?

How do you know this? Have you done widespread research or is it just a feeling and seeing a few Daily Mail stories about a family on benefits living it up in Benidorm?

Due to different circumstances?

I'm not sure about the 'right' circumstances. We get a higher amount of UC because our son is severely disabled which happened very suddenly last year, he was healthy up until that point and I'm no longer able to work as I have to care for him.

I'd much rather have my child be healthy.

I wonder if housing costs are a large part of it? The housing element generally doesn't cover the whole rent, so where prices are higher this shortfall will be higher (even if as a % the shortfall is the same in different areas). Also those paying a mortgage won't get the housing element. There is a higher earnings disregard when you have a mortgage, but this generally won't be as much as your mortgage payment.

ETA
Those under 35 are expected to house share too - so if renting a flat will really struggle. Also in my experience HMOs are more expensive per person than a group of people renting a property together and splitting rent. Yet the latter scenario is included in the calculations for housing element entitlement, meaning those in HMOs face larger shortfalls.

This Sounds like the exact circumstances that should get higher amounts obviously!

Another to add to the collection.

Have to say, these posts are getting ever so much more creative. Any discussion about benefits is going to be particularly divisive and spicy no matter the level if "faux naivety" and "but the system is wrong" statements in the current climate.

Just popping the popcorn on.

This is right I think! But only a ton of you rent. If you have a mortgage, you are pretty screwed, no kids? Screwed. Rent and childcare costs with 2 adults? Grand!

You'd be surprised. Some people seem to be against it even if it involves a disabled child.

No because I have claimed UC for the last 4 years! I know through others that their UC top up is obscenely low even though they desperately need the money to live. I know I absolutely don’t see that issue with my circumstances and we get given too much! But you can’t just claim half of course… they give you the full amount whether you need it or not

My view is, it's largely about giving the potential trouble makers enough to be quiet. That's why the chronically disabled and their careers are so neglected - they won't take to the streets and start looting.

So what are your circumstances then? Because you can leave off your housing element if you like, or childcare costs

Hey, I see loads of threads on UC. Some are appalled people get so much, some are convinced it’s always a terrible life to live, both can be true and that needs to be known. The system needs a reboot

Oh that's priceless. "We get given too much".

Said no-one on UC ever.

Don’t be mistaken, I don’t feel guilty about it. I watch many of my 100k plus a year friends do salary sacrifice so they can claim free childcare etc. We are all out here just trying to make the best of current systems/laws

That didn’t answer the question

You would likely recoil if you found out our monthly take home pay from jobs plus UC. 2 kids, no disabilities

See above

Still didn’t answer the question.

You asked what my circumstances are, I said in above comment

Some don't get enough, some get too much but I think that's to do with timing. It annoys me more that much of it goes to landlords .

If you feel you get too much then stop claiming?

If you feel you only need half the amount then donate it to your local foodbank via donations?

If you feel you get more than you're entitled to then let UC know and they can do a readjustment.

If you think they've calculated wrongly it's far better to let them know sooner vs later.