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?

Do you realise that plenty of people work and claim UC as a top up due to the ridiculously tiny wages employers pay them? And that disabled people and their carers claim UC, not just job seekers? Why shouldn't those people have the ability to put aside something towards a small emergency fund?

I am on UC and am saving up to replace my 20 year old bed and mattress. Is that allowed? I guess a cheap yoga mat on the floor is enough.

Do people on benefits not deserve a fridge 🤣🤣

Because some people have no choice but to be on benefits. I already know one of my children will never be in a position to work and possibly a second one will not or only limited hours.
They didn't choose to have SEN, along with other health issues, should they be forced to never be allowed to save because people like you think it's not fair. It's not fair that some have healthy NT children and two of mine are ND but I don't complain about the unfairness of that.

You don't need to store gruel in the fridge 😅

🤣🤣🤣

You’ve misread that posters comment.

I think the problem is uc has changed and people haven't realised they have put everyone in the same group now so uc isn't just a stop gap now its a forever benefit for a lot of people. Its interesting that nobody ever complained when it was called working tax credit now its called uc its a problem

You’re not really helping the cause there lol

Why would you expect to save from money given to you from the public purse?

It should be just enough to live on.

Their landlord.

You can earn over 60k and be entitled to uc if you hit the criteria. Namely multiple children and renting. Add in some childcare or a child with a disability and you can more than easily be working full time above minimum wage and get uc.

How about getting a proper job?

I don’t care whether she fees glee or not! Benefits should not enable a person to acquire savings ‘for emergencies’ when people who are not in receipt
of them stand no chance of being able to do the same.

Why this is the reality of the majority of people on uc their disabled, carers, minimum wage workers. Uc isn't just for out of work people as a stop gap the majority of people on it won't be coming off it. So this whole well you don't deserve a fridge until you get a job or until you get a better job doesn't work

But why can't you wages are more then benefits. Its not people on benefits fault your crap with money

It is just as well that we don't all think the same way then.

I’m not saying people should be building large savings from benefits. I’m talking about having enough breathing room to put aside even very small amounts for emergencies - a broken kettle, replacing essentials, an unexpected bill - so every minor setback doesn’t become a financial crisis. That’s a very different point.

And the people not in receipt of benefits who cannot possibly save should so what?! None of you seem to be able to answer that!

You can get a budgeting advance on UC for essentials.

Yep! UC has replaced the legacy benefits. WTC was for people in work, ESA was for people too sick to work, and JSA was for people looking for work. Now they are all called the same thing... UC.

Why don't you write down your income and outgoings and i will tell you where you can cut back to help you save.

I’m not crap with money love! Nor do I have any broken appliances! But your post goes to show just how out of touch you are! It really does! Hilarious really!

What a strange thing to say on a thread discussing the realities of saving on Universal Credit.

I’m mortgage free, I have one child that I can afford to do anything I like with really because I didn’t have too many kids that I couldn’t afford, I have a lovely life and a good job! I don’t need your ‘advice’! Thanks though, I’ll bear it mind for when I want to fleece the taxpayer so I can buy a microwave!