AIBU to resent friend on UC living better than us?

[Sunshineandrainbows123]

I know I am being unreasonable but just need to rant and I’m aware that perception is different to reality. I’ve worked hard all my life, since I was 14, paid my way through uni to get a decent qualification and job at the end of it all. I bought a house with my partner but as with so many of us I feel like I can’t rub 2 pennies together. Meanwhile a close friend claims universal benefits, has minimum 4 holidays a year, 2-3 abroad, gets regular beauty treatments, a new car and is able to regularly take her children to the cinema, days out and buy them new clothes, trainers and toys. I feel like I took the wrong path sometimes - she doesn’t have to pay rent for the home they live in, or school lunches for her kids, there are so many discounts and opportunities afforded to those on UC that working families don’t get. I don’t know if it’s better to distance myself. I know I need to probably give my head a wobble.

It's possible the kids have disabilities too

You can only play the system so much though you can't lie about how many kids you have or the cost of your rent, the cost of nursery fees or diagnosed conditions and they are the main elements. Yeah you can lie about a partner living with you or do cash in hand work on the side and you may get an extra £100 a month but even with lying it wouldn't be enough to go on holiday 3 times a year and buy a brand new car.

It's really not that easy to "play the system". At all.

Well if op is jealous of someone with severely disabled children there is something very wrong with her own life

A uni friend of mine gets UC because her three kids are disabled. She doesn't work but her husband does - full time. I assume the reason they are entitled is because they are in private rented accommodation and are paying out a lot of rent compared to her husbands income - the fact that they qualify for UC means that they can get the disabled element for the kids

Not everyone is screwing the system. Some people are just stuck paying a lot of money for insecure accommodation and qualify for help because their rent is so high

There seem to be lots of people on here who are jealous and bitter towards families with disabled children.
It really brings out people’s ugliness.

True!

The reason that people get UC is because they don't have enough money to live in on - it's no other reason. It is much harder to game the system now than it was back in the days of income support - where a GP fit note would see people being signed off sick. It's not like that now

As for peoples comments up the thread about work ethic. I have always had a work ethic. In 2019 I had two jobs. In one of the jobs I took all the hours I could - but we got full time hours maybe six weeks out of a year

The rest of the time I got a guaranteed 8 hours -and I didn't have enough hours to allow me to come off UC

I've been made redundant twice in the past 25 years. If not for being on benefits - I would have lost my home at that point

I currently get around 1k a extra month due to disabilities both physical and mental - I had to battle for it. I was turned down three times for lcwra even when I was in hospital - after a triple leg fracture - and the money I get due to the accident is going to stop soon - rightfully

The rest of the time I've been scraping a living. I actually just got offered a job just before I broke my leg - and that was also part time - but the first job offer I had had in ages

It's hard out there for a lot of people

I have had more discounts from being a student - I've just finished at part time online degree - than I ever have from being on universal credit

I don't get any discounts being on uc. Don't have an nhs dentist, earn to much for opticians, I got free prescriptions anyway as have a medical exemption and our local council have really strict criteria for council tax exemptions so don't get that, I own my own home so nothing for that so unless I'm missing something I don't get anything for getting uc

UC is to supplement a low/no wage at taxpayers cost. If your SIL inherited some money, she’s in a better financial position and no longer needs the support. Seems reasonable.

I hope youre joking? UC should be lost if someone inherits. Its a benefit paid for by the government, why should they pay if someone has money? Comparing benefits and wages is wrong.

The criteria is under £7,400 after tax and not including any benefits you get. Which is a higher household income than a flat £7,400. When my DC were in primary you qualified if you had claimed £1 in various benefits (incl jobseekers, tax credits etc) within the last 6 years.

Not saying anyone is living the life of Riley, but let’s be factual about what is possible and how people manage.

You're either lying or she has some very lucrative cash in hand job. High end escort maybe? UC really isn't that generous.

I don’t agree. My husband and I both work for the public services so are paid for by tax payers. Do we not “need” our wages because our mothers left us a few thousand? People should be able to enjoy a windfall. Limit it, yes. But the limit is currently £6k. Which for family savings is really not a lot.

It also puts the person in the position of having a period of very little money (once they have spent the inheritance) before they can apply again.

Good. Because there are families who are on the poverty line even if they do get benefits.

What makes you think that? Looks to me like she’s a shit stirrer and/or a stooge for one of the right wing political parties…

If someone gets an inheritance they should be able to keep benefits if they buy property - think that's pretty much it. They get 6 months to do so

I know several people who do so. That is a fact, not speculation

If life is as great/easy on benefits as you think, just quit your job and claim them- simple! But of course, you know what you're saying isn't true so you won't do that.

With respect. If you are that bothered. Report them. It is completely unfair to suggest that this is the norm when it is not. It is not easy to game the system. It is not easy to game the system to get disability benefits - speaking as someone who had a five year fight to get them - the fact that you know a few people who are gaming the system in your view doesn't negate the fact that millions of people do not

Some people just come on threads calling people on benefits scroungers and lacking in morals. They get off on judging poor people

I got a council tax discount when I was on UC before I was a student - because I was poor. That was pretty much it. I await to hear all the discounts and opportunities I get because I'm on UC

Like a pp I really wish this woman would write a book. I’d love to know how she makes her money go so far.

Yes it doesn't include the benefits but it means you need to be in a barely working family/single parent or not working at all. It is basically one or two shifts a week.