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?

She had savings. You even quoted her post where she said so.

In 20 years one should have considerable savings, enough to purchase a modest flat outright at least.

Where did you get your Tudor house with exposed beams from then?

£2 per week and all the papers you can read (well what else are you going to be doing?).

Not if you're subject to post separation abuse as it sounds was the case for this poster - her husband dragged out the process deliberately to drain her of her financial assets.

According to what outdated social script?

Not everyone's in a position to do that. I underwent a protracted and expensive divorce too and didn't have enough in savings just to trot off and buy another property. As I said I've been lucky enough to be able to rebuild my life but not everyone can.

Jane Austen by the sound of it!

Working hard.

I know. I can't believe anyone with kids can honestly stand there and moan about paying for other people.

😂😂😂

Working hard at what? Carer? Midwife? Teacher? Administrator? Warehouse manager? Shop worker? Postal worker? Beautician?

Bit hard when you earn just about enough to pay your bills and maybe go on holiday once a year.

Let me think - typical "modest" flat in the SE will cost you about £150k if you aren't too fussy about area, so over 20 years that means she would have to be able to save £7.5k every single year after tax. And presumably her former husband too, so he can buy his "modest flat". On top of tax, NI and all the living costs.

Dunno how a couple on e.g. £60k pa gross combined is supposed to save £15k a year "spare" money.

Same with those talking about insurance - I know people who have had to opt out of their employer's pension as it's unaffordable for them, insurance wouldn't be a high priority over things such as feeding them all, clothing especially children who need new clothes regularly, getting too and from work....

Dont forget the free prescriptions, free eye tests, free school meals for KS1 if they are in state school......

That's also not the case

I get none of them

The lack of being able to read on this thread is unbelievable how many times has it been explained being on uc doesn't mean you suddenly get anything for free. Has it been explained 20/30 times

Ha, I hate being told I am getting savings in UC because it is £1 for 2 weeks in the winter for people on UC to enter Chester Zoo.

Honestly, it is not a real saving for me when I live nowhere near there, and do not have kids.

I saw some bullshit post on FB about how much people on UC "save" on things. Legal aid was one of them... like we are all constantly getting legal advice.

Its the fact people won't even listen after it being repeatedly explained maybe I should send them my dentist and optician bills since I apparently get them for free and they reckon their paying for me.

They don't listen because it does not fit their narrative.

True

I have proof that my ex tried to kill me, police records, the lot. But I dont qualify for legal aid for divorce because I own my house, I did apply. The fact that selling it would leave me as a bigger drain on the tax payer as after paying for the divorce and living on whats left by renting, I would need the housing element of UC is not taken into account. My home is a small terrace in a small East Midland town, I am talking less than £200k by quite a lot! I cant get another mortgage as I am a carer for my parents, which saves the state thousands per month.

As I posted above, facts are so horribly inconvenient to people like this.

How dare facts shatter their prejudices?!

For people like your child, and "luckily" me atm the new rules state that a higher rate will be paid. So currently the same rate as LCWRA if you fulfill ALL of the following criteria-

Your disability means you cannot work
Will last your whole life
Will not get better
Is officially diagnosed by a medical professional

I am currently applying for UC but did so before the 6th April and was already on Contributions ESA. And have been since 2014. So I believe for the moment my payment should stay the same. But I do meet the new criteria too.

One other new addition I hadn't realised is only 1 person in a couple is allowed to have the higher rate of LWCRA even if both meet the criteria. ( this doesn't apply to me but may be useful to others)

There is also guidance that an extra £158.78 p/m may be given if you were on limited capability for work before 3 April 2017. But I don't know why this might be.

You dont, but if you have kids then they will because they are under 16.

I am pointing out that people who say "I am paying for your kids/you to get XYZ" that tax also pays for their kids to get what is given to all kids for free in the UK, such as prescriptions etc.

I am on the "dont slag off the poor" side, just for clarification!

ETA having re-read it, I can see that my post was ambiguous, and I apologise for that.