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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why I can't claim Universal credit?

60 replies

Walkinginthemoonlight · 24/10/2025 07:03

I'm single, 57, and I've been working 30 hours a week in retail for quite some time.
My contracted hours are 18, and over time has taken my hours to 30.

Now however, all overtime has been stopped for all staff and so I applied for Universal credit to try and help me out. I don't have savings over £6,000, but my Son (who is a full time student but working part time) was living with me when I applied.

I do own my own home outright, but I've read that this isn't taken into account as capital if it's the home you're living in. Considering I'm on minimum wage, I can't understand how my low income doesn't qualify me for any help when even couples can claim UC apparently.

I'm just wondering how little an income people have to actually earn to be able to qualify for help. Btw, I've been constantly looking for other jobs too, but I think my age could be putting would be employers off. Could it be the fact that my son was living me (he's just moved into his own place now) affected the outcome of M6 application?

OP posts:
Nonametonight · 24/10/2025 07:11

You should be able to look on your online account to see how your UC was worked out

But as a single adult with no health conditions, no dependent children, no rent liability and no entitlement to support as a carer, earnings of about £730 a month would be enough to knock your entitlement down to zero

The media might tell us that people on UC are living it large, but in reality UC is set at a very low limit and most people whose incomes are low enough to get it are in severe hardship

Bigtreeesss · 24/10/2025 07:11

Did you use one of the eligibility calculators?

Original poster
Walkinginthemoonlight · 24/10/2025 07:21

Bigtreeesss · 24/10/2025 07:11

Did you use one of the eligibility calculators?

No I didn't, I just applied, but it seems like my earnings are too much according to @Nonametonight , even though they're really low

OP posts:
Acommonreader · 24/10/2025 07:28

Try an eligibility calculator but I suspect you need to work more hours. Especially as you do not have a young child. I have 2 dc under 14 years old and my hours were dropped ( by employers) to 18 per week. I had to have a meeting with a UC work coach and promise to increase hours to a minimum of 22. You can’t work part time without good reason ( children) and expect to be topped up with UC.

BedknobsNoBroomsticks · 24/10/2025 07:29

It is really easy to work out.

Start with what you are entitled to which would be a single person over 25 which is £400 per month.

Then you move onto your earnings. The first £684 of your wage is disregarded, then for every £1 above that 55p is taken off.

If your earnings are more than the £400 you will be entitled to nothing.

LovedFedAndNoonesDead · 24/10/2025 07:29

Walkinginthemoonlight · 24/10/2025 07:21

No I didn't, I just applied, but it seems like my earnings are too much according to @Nonametonight , even though they're really low

Show quote history

Sadly this is correct; as a single person, with no dependents or health limitations and no rent on the property you live in, your entitlement is only £400.14 so any wages over £727.52 would wipe out your entitlement.

LovedFedAndNoonesDead · 24/10/2025 07:32

BedknobsNoBroomsticks · 24/10/2025 07:29

It is really easy to work out.

Start with what you are entitled to which would be a single person over 25 which is £400 per month.

Then you move onto your earnings. The first £684 of your wage is disregarded, then for every £1 above that 55p is taken off.

If your earnings are more than the £400 you will be entitled to nothing.

With no health limitations or dependent children on her claim there is no wages disregard. So, unless her son is in full time education at school or 6th form and under 18, she would have th deductions based on all her income.

Zanatdy · 24/10/2025 07:34

Definitely check the eligibility calculator to see if it’s correct.

Starlight7080 · 24/10/2025 07:34

Its probably because you dont have rent to pay monthly. Or dependants.
So the wage you do get they will class as enough to live on.
I think as someone else has said in a previous post. The people who get it are on a very low wage and have rent/mortgage and dependants.

RosesAndHellebores · 24/10/2025 07:37

@Walkinginthemoonlight I'm sorry your hours have been cut. I don't know where you live but in the South East cleaners and carers are in short supply and high demand. I pay my cleaner £18ph.

Are jobs like that an option?

Burningbud1981 · 24/10/2025 07:38

You would only be entitled to standard allowance of 400.14. You wouldn’t be entitled to a work allowance so your wages would wipe of any entitlement

Original poster
Walkinginthemoonlight · 24/10/2025 08:14

RosesAndHellebores · 24/10/2025 07:37

@Walkinginthemoonlight I'm sorry your hours have been cut. I don't know where you live but in the South East cleaners and carers are in short supply and high demand. I pay my cleaner £18ph.

Are jobs like that an option?

I'll look into cleaning too thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Walkinginthemoonlight · 24/10/2025 08:18

Ok it appears I earn too much over the threshold. Whilst I'm trying to up my hours or find a new job I'll check to see if I qualify for council tax support, although I probably won't!, I get a single person reduction, but someone told me I could maybe get more off due to a low income.

OP posts:
Nonameagain31 · 24/10/2025 08:18

If you already work in retail will Xmas bring any opportunities for you?

Original poster
Walkinginthemoonlight · 24/10/2025 08:19

Nonameagain31 · 24/10/2025 08:18

If you already work in retail will Xmas bring any opportunities for you?

I'm not sure yet, they've drastically cut the staffing figures and hours (even in a well known store), sign of the times.

OP posts:
PinkFrogss · 24/10/2025 08:22

Does DS still live with you? If so and he hasn’t been paying rent so far start charging him. He may also be entitled to more student loan if your earnings have changed by more than 25%, I’m not sure on the exact rules but may be worth him checking.

I would say look for a new job but I know the job market is absolutely shit at the moment.

Genevieva · 24/10/2025 08:22

Are you able to find other work elsewhere? I know it’s not easy, but there are often seasonal opportunities in the lead up to Christmas. These might open more permanent roles.

Original poster
Walkinginthemoonlight · 24/10/2025 09:02

PinkFrogss · 24/10/2025 08:22

Does DS still live with you? If so and he hasn’t been paying rent so far start charging him. He may also be entitled to more student loan if your earnings have changed by more than 25%, I’m not sure on the exact rules but may be worth him checking.

I would say look for a new job but I know the job market is absolutely shit at the moment.

No he doesn't, and I think my age goes against me when applying for jobs.

OP posts:
AquaForce · 24/10/2025 09:26

Walkinginthemoonlight · 24/10/2025 08:18

Ok it appears I earn too much over the threshold. Whilst I'm trying to up my hours or find a new job I'll check to see if I qualify for council tax support, although I probably won't!, I get a single person reduction, but someone told me I could maybe get more off due to a low income.

Do you contribute to a pension? If you do, that will affect your entitlement to benefits. UC is based on net income, that is after tax, NI and pension contributions. Use the benefits calculator to see what happens when you account for this.

You should get the 25% council tax reduction.

Hoardasurass · 24/10/2025 09:32

@Walkinginthemoonlight UC is subsistence living you earn almost twice as much as UC says you need to live on per month after your housing costs (which for you is zero)
I know that certain media outlets say that UC claimants are raking it in but really they aren't.
You may be able to get some extra help with your council tax bill, if you live alone you can get 1/4 cut off it btw. Other than that your not going to get anything because the UC rates are so low

Fiftyandme · 24/10/2025 09:37

You’re expected to get full time work if you’ve no young children under 5 and you’ve no personal circumstances health wise that limits your capability to work.

Fiftyandme · 24/10/2025 09:39

Nonametonight · 24/10/2025 07:11

You should be able to look on your online account to see how your UC was worked out

But as a single adult with no health conditions, no dependent children, no rent liability and no entitlement to support as a carer, earnings of about £730 a month would be enough to knock your entitlement down to zero

The media might tell us that people on UC are living it large, but in reality UC is set at a very low limit and most people whose incomes are low enough to get it are in severe hardship

It’s refreshing to see someone on mumsnet present the truth about benefits and what people can claim

Viviennemary · 24/10/2025 09:42

Benefits for single adults with no children and no rent and no health conditions are much less generous than for families. What is your monthly income.

Comefromaway · 24/10/2025 09:43

Most people who get universal credit on similar sort of incomes are paying rent and living in high rent areas.

My daughter was entitled when she lived in Ealing as it has a high average rent but wasn't entitled on the exact same income when she moved to Croydon for example.

NotEnoughKnittingTime · 24/10/2025 09:46

Viviennemary · 24/10/2025 09:42

Benefits for single adults with no children and no rent and no health conditions are much less generous than for families. What is your monthly income.

It isn't that generous for families either.