To think my universal credit feels generous.

[MoonBaby1]

I got to my early 40s without ever needing to claim but circumstances find me single and paying the lions share of child related outgoings.

I work full time on£31,000 and have found out this year thanks to applying that I get on average about £800 from UC. It has been an absolute life changer and will hopefully be able to afford a modest uk holiday actually during the summer holidays and pay the school back some debt im in for after school care.

So many benefits bashing threads so I just wanted to present another side that as a cash strapped mum of two who works full time, UC is making a positive difference to our life. I didn't even think id qualify!

So you also think the disabled and carers should never have a holiday

Where does it say that?
I am on UC, and there is nothing about what I am allowed to spend it on. I could blow the lot on Pokemon cards if I wanted.

I know that but they are both still responsible for their children. Just because they have split up doesn't mean their individual lifestyles should be funded, which is what a pp said.

Exactly. They can fund the kids holiday themselves without taking 10k in benefits.

Absolutely! I think maintenance should be paid as part, or all of the assessed benefits, then claimed back from the non resident parent. That way parents like the OP would have a guaranteed income, and the government could claw it back from (usually) the father. That would be much more efficient and a saving for the taxpayer.

The current method appears to penalise parents on similar or lower incomes who stay together to raise their children.

It is though, because they are not even a couple anymore.

Hmm, I don't know about this thread. Seems to be rubbing people's noses in it. Your case is different because I've seen you having to fight your corner on many of these threads.

Well ..

If one can afford a holiday in a 'cost of living crisis, they clearly are not 'struggling'.

This thread is bizarre. Disabled people are never allowed to leave the house. If you split up from your ex you still need to pay for their holiday. People earning double/triple the amount as op apparently can't afford to stay in a caravan or a tent for a few days.

Pensioners don't get a lot more than that

Tell me about it. Then they are begrudged that! @GoneWithTHeWindJammers

I think people have very different priorities what they spend their money on some would rather take their kids away for a few days in a tent or caravan others would rather spend their money on mounjaro

If everyone took that attitude we would have no carers, teaching assistants, nursery staff, shop workers, cleaning etc
we need people to do lower paid jobs and because those jobs do not pay enough to live on we have a system in place that supports those people with a top up. None of them are going on long haul holidays or owning a brand new car . They are at best getting enough to pay the bills, save a small amount and have the occasional treat.

People now assessed as unable to work get even less.

It does baffle me how someone working full time can get a top of £800, as the Gov sees that as not enough to live, yet says £600 is enough to live on for a person unable to work. It makes no sense.

But that is the system, and probably what is meant by making work pay.

She never replied when asked what she was earning in her early 20s. Funny that.

are you a single income household? If yes you may be entitled to uc top ups

How can you possibly say that without knowing her circumstances ?

I can't blame someone who needs UC to pay for childcare (so she can go to work) or to pay rent, bills and food. But should the taxpayer pay for someone else's holiday? When we go away, we pay for it ourselves.

It certainly highlights the priorities of specific individuals.

Thankfully, I live a comfortable life; however, if I were poor, I would be stretching every penny to ensure I have food in the cupboards and can pay my bills.

A holiday is lovely, but it's not a necessity.

The benefits system will be forever flawed.

So does she out of the wages she earns from the job she is able to keep thanks to uc to pay childcare costs that she was in debt from prior to uc which meant before long her child would of been kicked out of asc and she would of had to either quit her job or reduce her hours

True it would be dependant on savings extra

No its not but it sounds like op and her kids have had a shit year so I wouldn't begrudge them spending a few hundred quid to stay in a caravan or a tent for a few days in england. She works full time as a nurse has just gone through a separation and a massive drop in finances the kids are having to learn that they won't see their dad everyday and can no longer have the nice thing they could before. I have no issues my tax going towards families like this

Key point - your tax not everyone else's.

Thousands of people are in this situation.

A caravan holiday is far down the list of necessities.