To think I should work less and claim Universal Credit?

[Tiredandgrumpymum]

After a difficult divorce I find myself supporting my 2 children on my own. Ex-husband pays the bare minimum.

I work full time on about minimum wage, all my shopping is done at Asda usually yellow-stickered where ever possible. This year managed to take my 2 kids away for a weeks break by the seaside in a caravan. We had a lovely time but did it as cheaply as possible. Bought ice cream and put in the freezer in the caravan so when kids asked for an ice cream out I said wait till we get home.

No eating out except for takeaway chips etc. No expensive days out.

Just bought all the school uniforms as cheaply as possible from the supermarket and the school shoes which I've had to put on my credit card.

My SIL popped round for a coffee earlier on her way back from the hairdressers having treated herself to a new cut and colour at a posh salon and she was just on the way to get her nails done. She's just returned from a 2 week all inclusive in Turkey with her 4 kids. Her kids get the best school uniforms and school shoes and she pays for them to do various activities I can only dream about. All this and she works 3 mornings a week and gets topped up on UC. She goes to the gym everyday as she can afford it and has the time to so looks fabulous.
I'm sorry I sound so bitter but I really am.

If you are working minimum wage as a single adult with 2 kids then you’d be eligible for UC too surely?

Are you sure you're not entitled to some uc anyway?

www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-samsung-rvo1&source=android-browser&q=full+time+minimum+wage+can+i+get+universal+credit

It sounds like you and your children have everything you need. Why would you deliberately burden the taxpayer with even more responsibility?

Yes you should be claiming, if you're in a minimum wage job with 2 children you're very likely already to entitled to help, especially if you're renting. Your SIL might be on a higher salary then she wouldn't have to work the same number of hours as someone on minimum wage.

You are probably entitled to some too but she won't be getting enough for luxury holidays

Surely you’re eligible if you’re a single income on minimum wage and two DCs? Unless you have significant savings?

What is your income, and what do you think her income + benefits is?

On minimum wage with two dependent children I’d imagine you are able to claim some support.

If you’re better off working less and claiming more benefits - it’s a no brainer really isn’t it.

Part of the pickle the country has found itself in.

Do you rent? Do you pay childcare? I rent and am single but with no childcare bill and until recently was still getting a small UC top up whilst earning over 45k. I think this would be very different if I had a mortgage though. I would expect you to still be entitled to something if on NMW.

With regard to your SIL, even with UC I could not afford 2 weeks all inclusive for 5 people and to have my nails done so possibly not wise to compare to her.

It’s not, if she worked less she’d have less money, that’s how universal credit is set up. However she’s probably not claiming UC that she’s entitled too right now which is why it’s a struggle

Definitely check your not already eligible op

OP - I don’t mean this personally because you are clearly a hard working, responsible citizen and parent. I completely see your frustration and I’d feel the same. My point really refers more to people like your SIL.

There are too many people taking out, and not enough people paying in through their taxes for the system to be sustainable. Everyone who can work should do so and pay into the system, not just make the lifestyle choice to do what she’s doing.

She sounds as though she doesn’t need any help from the state - UC was never meant to support a luxury lifestyle.

Sorry - but people like her make me cross.

I’m a single parent working more or less full time and claim a UC top up. You’ll be worse off if you drop your hours. But you should look into claiming UC as a top up, you’ll probably be eligible.

Like I said, It’s incorrect that you’d be better off claiming UC. I’m assuming your sil’s circumstances are very different from yours

I imagine you are also paying into a pension, if so add this to the calculations, what your employer and you pay in. Your SIL will not have this in later life.

I think you are always better off working over the longer term. Are you sure your SIL isn't getting income in cash because I struggle to see how she can afford that lifestyle on benefits.

I take home about 1,600 a month, she told me she gets 2.5k a month from UC plus her wage which I think is about 1k.

The SIL obviously isn’t getting that income from being on UC, if it’s true then she’s on a high wage or receives a huge amount of maintenance

So why aren’t you claiming UC?

Work out the least amount of hours you can work for the most amount of UC
you may as well, others do it.

i work, am married and get nothing. I don’t begrudge it to anyone like yourself.

Unless SIL or her children are disabled, she is not getting 2.5k a month from UC.

I can't see how she gets 2.5 k unless that includes her rent. I worked 3 days like her with a similar wage and UC topped me up with 750. No rent to pay though, 2 children. They must be paying her rent if she is getting as much as you say she is.

Yes I do get a pension through my work. They paid 3%, its currently worth about 10k (in total not a yearly amount of 10k a year).

YABU to consider UC based on what someone else does. YANBU to claim, just do it without the ‘she gets all thins’ mentality.

There is a gov.uk benefits checker. I'd put your figures in there and see.

I totally get the feeling. I work with colleagues in my job who get less take home pay than those on full time benefits. I used to think that people should be self suifficient at all costs but when you see people taking the piss- including politicians I'm not sure how much i care anymore.

SIL and one of her children have ADHD.

Why haven’t you put in a claim?