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!

Oh, and don't start me on the disabled people who have told me that they'd be happy to work full time only they can't because their benefits will be cut.

Those people are choosing to take benefits from tax payers instead of working. Don't tell me they don't exist, I personally know two, one with Downs working in retail and one with learning disabilities in a cafe.

You make a good point. If your productivity is below what minimum wage is, it makes no sense for an employer to hire you for minimum wage.

Of course 🤣

Well, isn't it delightful that her friend gets to see her favourite bands perform?

Courtesy of UC.

I echo your thoughts.

This was the intention of the OP, too.

Holidays are a luxury.

So you think that because OPhas become a single mother working full time in an averagely paid job with 2 children, they should only be able to just survive, and never have a break?
Have you heard yourself?

Wants are very different to needs. I don't ask the taxpayer to fund wants.

You don't have to like it but she is not doing anything wrong.
Disabled people are allowed to do things they enjoy.

Edit to add - this is a hypothetical response, many people on benefits don't have this.

I think that they should have a decent furnished roof over their heads with enough bedrooms, nourishing food of sufficient quantity, decent clothes, the ability to pay their gas, water and electric bills, for the kids to go on school trips that everyone else is going on, Christmas and birthday presents, and for some family outings in school holidays. And probably some other essentials I've missed.

Do I think they should be able to go away on holidays paid for by benefits? No. Why? Because there are thousands of families with both parents in work and paying taxes to fund other people's benefits who will not be able to take a holiday away from their home this year. Nobody dies or suffers because they can't sleep in a different bed for a week.

And because if you can afford the luxuries like buying holidays away when on benefits, what exactly is the point of working?

If she funds the holiday through UC then no. She can have a break at home . Pay her money out of your own pocket if you feel so sad for lack of holiday

There are no rules about what UC should be spent on.
Stop trying to make out it is.

Well, there should be.

I certainly hope a policy is enforced to prevent it, too.

There is not though. So again, stop holding people to your imaginary standards.

I am not sure what policy there would be to stop someone cutting back on spending and using what they saved to treat themselves...

But you go on and think that disabled people that are unable to work should never be allowed to spend on anything apart from housing and bills. What a depressing existence.

There are no legal rules but morally come on.

Your morals. And the law does not operate based on an individual's twisted morals, thank goodness.

Vouchers? They could get paid food & utilities vouchers? I don’t think this is the answer but if that’s the only way of ensuring the money is spend on what it’s meant to be spent on then that’s where we end up.

It's very simple.

A cash value pre-payment system.

Your benefits are allocated to buying groceries, paying utilities, transportation, healthcare and clothing.

The necessities.

Would you condone the same for child benefit and pensions?

It will never happen.

And it is frightening that you think disabled people should live their life in such a limited way.

I echo this.

Vouchers or a prepayment card that can only be used in designated stores.

Holiday websites, alongside concert websites will be automatically nullified.

This country is too soft.

Child benefit? Yes of course. Pensions - the entitlement to pensions has been earned so part vouchers, part cash. If you want a say in how you spend money, make sure it’s your money, not anyone else’s that you’re spending.

It’s not limited. If you want to spend cash freely, earn it.

Um, many pensioners are disabled people that have not worked. Not everyone has "paid in".

How can someone too disabled to work earn money?

Take a look a yourself

Most people could work. You have said you’re disabled in the past, and yet here you are making coherent arguments in a debate. There must be crime work you could do.