To think saving on Universal Credit is extremely difficult?

[FirmGreyMember]

It feels like Universal Credit doesn’t really leave much room for saving once basic living costs are covered. I know in theory people say to put even small amounts aside but in practice it seems very difficult when most of the money goes on essentials.

AIBU to think there’s very little opportunity to build savings on UC?

Income should be taxed for all. You say 'profoundly disabled' - I think 'profoundly disabled' people deserve all the help they can get. Unfortunately such people are being negatively impacted by people claiming benefits for being 'disabled' where 'disabled' might mean eg. anxiety or say they cant work as they cant leave the house. Sorry - that is not the same. People are afraid to say it but it's true.

Nailed it.

"Income should be taxed for all."

So yes you want to reduce the support for profoundly disabled people.

Yes, it can be.
What would be your solution for this?

As I said I have ptsd, depression and anxiety. If you think anxiety is nothing - you've never suffered from it. But what I will say and I have said it on other threads. I was turned down three times by the dwp for lcwra with these conditions. I got it for the fracture

I do get some adp for mental health but not at the highest rate and that was also a time limited award.

You are basically saying that people with some mental health issues should not get disability benefits and they should only go to the profoundly disabled?

The same people you want to tax if they earn over 13k in benefits?

How are profoundly disabled people being negatively impacted by people who get benefits for mental health conditions - they aren't. If someone qualifies for Pip or lcwra or adp - they'll get it. Even if they need to appeal and go to tribunal.

Me getting adp and lcwra does not stop someone with complex disabilities from qualifying for the same benefits

Ah right. So people who have mental health issues aren't really disabled.

What about people who could afford it then got widowed, or made redundant or disabled, or injured, or had an unwell child they had to care for. But for the grace of god.

Well that poster is in charge of the country's economy so no doubt have given the matter some considerable thought. Who are we to argue?

Certainly not in the same way a person with e.g. MND or MS or other neurological disorders or severe arthritis or limbs missing or stroke affected is. The truth hurts but that is the truth, And these people deserve all of the help.

Don't you worry, we have ex. bank clerk Reeves in charge of the economy. We're ok.

I had a relative with schizophrenia. He committed suicide. I have a friend with bipolar who is only alive because she was sectioned twice.

OK. You've made your position very clear. You don't think someone like me is disabled and I don't deserve any disability benefits.

I would like to point out to you - that it's not just about money. It's about if you are on lcwra you don't have to work for a set time period.

I have ptsd because I was stalked and and threatened over quite a significant period of time. It took me three years to get any disability benefits and I'll be off them shortly. With respect. It's not up to you to tell people who have mental health issues that they aren't really unwell

Mental health can kill people as my family know.

Do you realise quite how misogynistic that statement is?

What about the nearly 40% of u.c claimants who do work and it's a low income top up?

Just because soneone works foh - presumably you visit shops, fuel stations, cafes, pubs - does that mean that they deserve to struggle because they're on minimum wage? The cleaners that keep schools clean and tidy, hospital wards - do they deserve to struggle? Care assistants looking after our older generation - do they deserve to struggle? Delivery drivers bringing your parcels or the goods to the shops that you use - do they deserve to struggle? Receptionists for the gyms and spas and hotels - do they deserve to struggle?

Narrow minded thinking if you presume everyone on u.c don't work.

Read this, special way to save

https://www.gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income

I can’t save any longer (I used to be able to before the COLC) and I earn over £50,000. I am a widowed single parent of two-so I wouldn’t expect anyone on benefits to be able to save.

Its factual. the fact you make it about sex says more about you than me.

Tbh I wouldn't worry about what that poster says. If you're covered by the Equality Act, I think that's all that counts. Not what someone pretending to be a big shot (yet with astonishingly little understanding of how basic life works, let alone the more complex issues) has decided is "Fact! End of!".

You don't actually have to justify yourself to anyone.

Oh wow! Another thing you don't understand! Actually two things. Never mind. Have a lie down.

You must be receiving too much if you’re talking about “savings”. You can’t have “savings” with other peoples’ money

I'm guessing that you're not really aware of anything and have just joined the bandwagon.

You clearly don't realise that working people on u.c still pay tax and n.i?

They're also putting into the 'public purse'.

I'm not saying significant mental health issues don't require some support. Mental health service are required now more than ever. I am saying they're not the same as profound physical and mental disabilities that can come with certain illnesses. To say otherwise is disingenous.

You don't get misogyny without a sex, You're not that bright are you? But I came to that conclusion yesterday. Toodles ; )

Depends on the mental illness, and the degree. I have (formally diagnosed) ADHD, which has negatively impacted my life in a number of ways including keeping jobs, but I don't get any benefits for it. I DO get PIP for my severe spinal stenosis and facet joint arthritis with a few other back issues thrown in.

Some people have anxiety so bad they physically can't go out of the house. Others decide they "have anxiety" if they feel anxious about things that almost everyone feels anxious about e.g. exam nerves, interview nerves, doing a piece of work for the first time which they aren't experienced in doing.

Same with ADHD - there are certain aspects of my behaviour I genuinely can't do anything about and don't even realise I'm doing, and if it was much worse then I would be unemployable. However some people look up stuff on line and decide that if they are sometimes forgetful, or lose their keys now & again, or get distracted when they are doing something boring, then they have ADHD (self diagnosed).

I know many Autistic people who are gainfully employed. But I've also met ones who the symptoms specific to them mean they can't function on their own and need care let alone hold down a job.

Think of it as the difference between a broken fibula (smaller bone in the lower leg) and a femur (thigh bone) shattered in 8 places by a crushing injury. One will be in a cast for about 4-6 weeks & no long term damage, the other will be physically disabled for life and possibly lose that limb or the use of it, and have attendant related problems due to being unevenly balanced e.g. back problems. Both have a broken leg, but it's a matter of degree.

Only IF you have earned less than approx £600 in the last 6 months.

So working people on u.c are NOT able to get these as they earn more than that.

You can't just phone and get shit loads of money given to you!