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?

We are talking about things which all children get free there, not UC claimants. Just pointing out that all these ‘I subsidise other people with my tax’ types are perfectly happy to take child benefit and free prescriptions for their own under-16s themselves. If you read the thread a little further up, you’ll see what I mean.

Cross posted with @PyongyangKipperbang there!

One of my neighbours in her early 60s, claiming UC. She doesn't have enough money to eat after the third week. She doesn't go out or smoke or drink. It's not enough to live on, never mind save.

That pot sure empties quickly, when all you have to live on is £80pw.

It sounds like she is on the very basic rate... about £400pm. Is she also having to look for work?

As said, UC pay rent, subsidise CT, free dental and eye care. I'm assuming you're a single young person so you won't get extras of child benefit, FSMs. So basically you will be given an amount on benefits as an adult and either looking for work or unable to work.

If you were working and paid a certain amount then UC will give you the same and more. The incentive is to get people into a job so you will be better off.

Yes she is and she's looking every day. Low skilled/experience and probably ND. It's not easy for her to find anything.

It is not easy for anyone right now. The job market is awful ATM.
I hope she finds something soon.

The amount varies greatly, I looked it up once and if I was to apply for it (single, no dependents) I’d get my rent paid £800 and then about £450 on top of that. 1250 isn’t very much even for a single person living alone with no dependents when most of that is for housing.

If I had a mortgage I believe I would not get the housing element so shockingly I’d only get £450 a month. I think that’s outrageous. Someone could have worked their whole life and then lose their job and they get a measly 450?

I think it should be like some Europeans countries where I believe people get paid something like 80% of their salary if they lose their job.

I read this right after I posted and this is the exact scenario I’m talking about. Where a single adult living alone will get peanuts especially if they own as Opposed to rent.

Does she own her house? Is that why she doesn’t get the housing element?

She gets her rent paid.

Oh okay so it’s the rent paid + £400 she gets?

ETA: I still do agree £400 isn’t enough for a single person even after rent has been paid.