AIBU to be surprised someone on £34,000 receives Universal Credit?

[Balicious]

I was listening to BBC Radio 5 Live at work yesterday morning. They were discussing the Conservatives’ proposal to stop people spending benefits on alcohol, cigarettes, etc.—but that isn’t what my question is about.
One caller said she earns £34,000 a year as a trainee social worker and receives an additional £500 a month in Universal Credit. She didn’t mention having children, paying rent or having a disability—she simply said she struggles to live on £34,000 and needs Universal Credit to top up her wages.
What is going on? That’s more than I earn! Could I apply for a top-up too? Has anyone else heard of someone working full-time and earning well above minimum wage having their salary topped up by Universal Credit? I just couldn't get over what I was hearing!

"I work part time"

"if I was a single parent I couldn't afford to house my 2 children in a standard 3 bed house."

Why do you think that working part-time would/should be sufficient to support two children and rent a 3 bedroom house?

The obvious answer would be to work full-time, just like the rest of us.

She must have children, I am single and my income is £750 a month and I don’t get universal credit!

Why make a thread when you couldn’t be bothered to listen properly in the first place? Just admit you’re wrong

any extra hours has an effective deduction of about 67.6% once income tax, NI and the UC taper are combined, without childcare or commuting costs so i can understand why.

Yes so can I, but it’s still not sustainable, there must be a better system out there, to help people reach their potential whilst still being able to live.

So there’s other detail behind quite simply….

I am a single parent of one dependent child on £34k a year

because if that was the case, you would be entitled to UC @catspam79

Benefits are out of control. It is ridiculous that someone earning £34,000 which is a good wage by any standards, receives a top-up. Regardless of "circumstances".

Bloody hell, an extra £6k a year. That is a lot of dosh.

A good wage? That wouldn’t even cover the cost of a 1 bedroom flat where I live.

And?

So if you’re a single mother with two children on this salary… then you’d genuinely benefit from UC wouldn’t you? I thought that was fairly obvious

Grenfell? Accountability for the private sector?

Privatisation ..water?You seriously believe this private sector is credible, efficient or cost effective?

US healthcare charges over the NHS? This is such an ill informed post

Just look at the breast care scandal in the UK this week and see where the profit motive takes you …or kids dying in the US because an inhaler jumps from $69 to $699 in a month…yes 1 inhaler. Or a $200 dollar fee to be handed your baby you just gave birth too

So CB on top and maintenance!! You’d be in the equivalent of the higher tax band!

Move like the rest of us have to.

Away from work, friends, family? I’d have to move over 100 miles to get anywhere remotely cheaper. Don’t be so ignorant

Yep, we had to. There is zero need for anybody on £34k to be getting benefits.

You clearly do not understand.

You were a single parent of 2 dependents in a 1 bed flat? And moved 100 miles away to a different cheaper place even though it meant new job, schools etc?

Nobody on £34k, CB and maintenance needs or should have universal benefit.

Moving also costs money. Not to mention finding a new job (which may pay less and still be on UC anyway).

Or moving a child away from their father if the father is involved.

My DH and I are on benefits as he is disabled and I am his carer. We live in the midlands and rent. We struggle, I really feel for those who are on less. Our rent for a small 2 bedroom, over 120yo Victorian terrace is £205 over what housing allowance is. We are all feeling the energy crisis with our EPC at a very low D almost a E, which also feeds into everyone’s food bills. Whatever the situation EVERYONE is feeling the pinch at the moment.

What a surprise. You changed your user name just to post on this thread. I wonder what your posting history would tell us about you and your continuances 🤔

As I said anybody on £34k with CB and maintenance does not need UC. If you want more sort it yourself. It’s not the responsibility of the state. Surely the government is looking to stop this .

What was it?

Why do you think 34k is a high salary? It isn’t