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!

I couldn’t get wound up about this. The op is paying into the tax system so fair enough.

I’d say a single parent on £40k a year is doing very nicely.

During that time people where allowed to sit at home claiming benefits until their child reached 16 that is no longer a thing isn't it better now people working paying tax and NI and getting a small top up to help

Also being a low earner?? 31K isn’t a low earner, it’s not great single with 2 kids but for him on his own is hardly poverty - and you say he doesn’t get UC , why would he if the kids live with you?

Maybe he needs a better job rather than benefits?

hardly. depends on location and associated costs for the area

Still works out at less than 3k a month. I'd struggle to manage on that. Full time work should pay more than 31k a year.

Im in the East. Rent is high (£1050) but generally speaking its not as awful as the south for money. I understand that £40 would be a lot less there.

I’m not sure which part of the north you’re in, but in the NW there’s plenty of jobs. And £30000 is around average for anyone just above entry level.

I am reassured that uc tops up ft working parents /others.
That seems fair to me

That’s only around 2600 take home without taking pension into consideration. Thats not a huge amount to live on after rent/mortgage bills etc.

I agree @NoArmaniNoPunani !
I work antisocial hours to try a d top up wages a bit. My ex or family has the children those nights a d weekends.

800? Over what time frame? Really unhelpful not to state that.

I agree that tax credits were shortsighted and were always going to keep wages artificially low, but now we have in-work benefits, I'm not sure there is a sustainable way out of them without punishing those who rely on them to cover the necessities. Very few people on top-up benefits feel the way OP does. Most are living hand to mouth with their budget balanced on a knife-edge.

Studies have shown that many households on UC have adults skipping meals, not topping up the electric meter, and not filling essential prescriptions to make ends meet.

UBI might work if we can find a way to fund it. If people can afford not to work for a pittance or starve, employers will have to pay enough to attract staff.

So that's what's pushing it up. I have a mortgage and am not entitled to as much as you because of it. I definitely do not feel too well off. I have £6.85 till my next pay day, discounting overdraft. <puts tin hat on ready for the "tax payers are buying you a house" brigade>

The North?

£800 pcm

I love how people will always leap to the conclusion that the holiday is funded by UC.

how about the OPs wages (£31K) enables her to have a holiday with her child, with UC helping her pay the essential bills and not get into debt.

its all about perspective, innit.

well done OP why shouldn't you feel positive that your life has meaning and you're not on the bones of your arse.

So many benefits bashing threads so I just wanted to present another side

That other side being you’re going to use the money for a holiday and some debt…

I do support people working full time and receiving some help (they’re paying into the system so why shouldn’t they get help) but it also just goes to show how unaffordable things are becoming compared to some full time wages

It’s a lot more than some get working full time, even with two of them working.

Good for you, OP, but what I resent is that the UC top up now probably means you take home more than I do as a Band 7 in the NHS after tax.

Funding a holiday is money going back into our economy, generating more jobs. I'd sooner that than fund wars or enable tax dodging billionaires to get richer.

Most are living hand to mouth with their budget balanced on a knife-edge

But why? If a single person with 2 children has £3k per month after deductions then I don't consider that that a knife edge.

@Coconutter24 did ypu miss the part where I said twice that the debt is £150 to my youngest afterschool care that I have alm9st paid off. Not a flipping Next.card!

Does the ex pay nothing at all towards his children? Does he see them? If the absent parent paid more there would be less people claiming.