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Original poster

Help with universal credit

105 replies

MissMummy20212 · 07/03/2025 18:08

Little bit of a back story all of my bills come to £1,590 a month this includes everything but food shopping and anything else I will need during the month. So universal credit give me £1444 a month as you've probably already been able to work out my bills equal More then how much I receive. My partner who has his own house and does not live with me kindly gives me £600 a month for weekly food shopping and to stop myself using my unarrange overdraft. I'm worried as I've seen seen that uc are asking for bank statements, will I get in trouble for having my partner send me money? I can prove that my partner has his own house, pays his own bills extra

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 14/09/2025 17:37

HaddyAbrams · 14/09/2025 16:36

Yes. When the oldest child is off the claim that is correct
But the oldest child won't be off the claim yet. Unless my maths is really off.

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It’s my maths ffs

she said 2011. I read as 2001 🙄 thinking eldest was over 20

hence why I said then 2&3 would be on claim

ignore me

i work nights

HaddyAbrams · 14/09/2025 17:42

Blondeshavemorefun · 14/09/2025 17:37

It’s my maths ffs

she said 2011. I read as 2001 🙄 thinking eldest was over 20

hence why I said then 2&3 would be on claim

ignore me

i work nights

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All is forgiven! I used to work nights so I know exactly how it feels. GinCakeFlowers

Usernameunavailableagain12 · 14/09/2025 17:43

SilverDoe · 07/03/2025 19:47

That sounds difficult OP. It's not ideal to be financially reliant on your partner, just because if you split up or if his circumstances changed and he could no longer give you £600 per month then you'd be screwed.

How does your rent compare to market rate and to your council's local housing allowance? Is there any way you could look into renting a cheaper property (obviously if your rent is a good rate for your area or within the LHA then there's no point to this).

I'd drop the £180 a month nursery fee while you're not working, but equally if you're hoping to find work soon then there's little point as it might be worth having the space.

I'm really surprised your UC is so low tbh, I work full time and take home £2k a month after taxes etc and get not much less than you from UC. Is there any way you could have a look at Entitled To and ensure you are claiming everything you are owed?

Remember you can earn around £400 per month on UC before your benefit amount is reduced at all, and you will always be better off working.

How do you get so much on UC if you earn 2k a month?

Usernameunavailableagain12 · 14/09/2025 17:46

Quinlan · 07/03/2025 20:40

If you’re not working then you shouldn’t be paying any council tax (just water and sewage charges).
You shouldn’t be paying childcare either as you don’t need it.

You really need to get a job. Any job.

Is this true?

Blondeshavemorefun · 14/09/2025 17:51

Usernameunavailableagain12 · 14/09/2025 17:46

Is this true?

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Course you have to pay council tax. Yes it may be reduced but def have to pay something a month

PocketSand · 14/09/2025 17:57

As my disabled DC are now over 18 I get CA and basic UC which together total £550 pcm. My basic expenditure is far higher just for necessary bills. The court have just ordered maintenance pending suit but as this is deducted pound for pound I will lose entitlement to UC.

Your partner may not be living with you but his regular payment of £600 pcm is unearned income (not a one off gift) and could be deducted pound for pound backdated to the start of your claim.

You are playing with fire. Have you disclosed this income? Don’t wait for them to catch you. You could end up with pound for pound reduction plus reduction for overpayment.

Usernameunavailableagain12 · 14/09/2025 17:58

Blondeshavemorefun · 14/09/2025 17:51

Course you have to pay council tax. Yes it may be reduced but def have to pay something a month

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I thought it was reduced by 25% and the only ones who don’t have to pay are those in prison

XenoBitch · 14/09/2025 18:10

Usernameunavailableagain12 · 14/09/2025 17:58

I thought it was reduced by 25% and the only ones who don’t have to pay are those in prison

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I am on UC and have to pay 20% of my council tax.
Certain people do not have to pay at all such as full time students and people with Severe Mental Impairment.
It does vary between councils though.

Hiptothisjive · 14/09/2025 18:11

Loveduppenguin · 07/03/2025 19:40

• Rent £1025
• Gas and electric £110
• Internet+tv box £52 - can you look for a cheaper deal?
• House insurance £15- do you mean contents insurance/ if not why are you paying house insurance if you rent
• Life insurance £20
• water bill £25
• Phone £37 - this could be reduced if you get a pay as you go
• Tv licence £14
• Council tax £103
• Netflix/Disney plus £11- get rid if you have tv
• Nursery bill £180 - do you need nursery if you’re not working? Or are you going back to work soon?

Some good tips - giffgaff is like £8 per month.

HaddyAbrams · 14/09/2025 18:12

XenoBitch · 14/09/2025 18:10

I am on UC and have to pay 20% of my council tax.
Certain people do not have to pay at all such as full time students and people with Severe Mental Impairment.
It does vary between councils though.

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I get about £7 pcm reduction. I used to get the 25% single adult reduction as well, but dc grew up.

Blushingm · 14/09/2025 19:51

Why do you have nursery fees if you don’t work?

mintydoggyv · 14/09/2025 19:53

XenoBitch · 14/09/2025 18:10

I am on UC and have to pay 20% of my council tax.
Certain people do not have to pay at all such as full time students and people with Severe Mental Impairment.
It does vary between councils though.

Show quote history

A good sign is to run the your income etc on one of the calculators
To see if what you pay is right run it through calculation sken

Kirbert2 · 14/09/2025 19:53

Blushingm · 14/09/2025 19:51

Why do you have nursery fees if you don’t work?

To hold the child's place probably.

Davethebuilder · 11/10/2025 14:33

Hi , I am getting divorced and disabled . I applied for uc and at the appointment I got offered an advance which was 601 pound. Is this what I will receive when I get my award ? . I know I may also be entitled to 400 something for the limited work element. Anyone know if 601 will be my monthly award. Than you.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 11/10/2025 15:46

Davethebuilder · 11/10/2025 14:33

Hi , I am getting divorced and disabled . I applied for uc and at the appointment I got offered an advance which was 601 pound. Is this what I will receive when I get my award ? . I know I may also be entitled to 400 something for the limited work element. Anyone know if 601 will be my monthly award. Than you.

I think it means that’s would you would get before any deductions (if there are any deductions)

Clonakilla · 12/10/2025 07:27

Teacupover5 · 14/09/2025 17:03

Someone on minimum wage gets £1817 after tax and they have all the expenses of doing paid work -travel ,clothes etc …I don’t think people realise that you can get almost the same for doing NOTHING !

This woman’s child is living in poverty and is at risk of always doing so. They cannot afford their bills and food from the money coming in. She is dependent on the state, and is now also dependent on gifts from a partner that will mean if she needs to leave him because he is violent or horrible to her kid, she has to weigh up providing her kid with food.

There is absolutely nothing to envy here.

MyAmusedPearlSquid · 14/10/2025 11:54

Instead of nursery heat you're home your not working so actively don't require the place if you can not afford it

KillingEvesbestmate · 17/10/2025 10:02

I think you're just lucky someone's giving you £600 a month 😁

backawayfatty1 · 17/10/2025 13:17

@Davethebuilderit might not be, it might be more, it depends on what elements were confirmed at the time. You can use the calculator on universal credit essentials for an accurate calculation

Rebecca123439 · 18/10/2025 14:30

What was the outcome here please

Lifestooshort71 · 18/10/2025 15:30

Rebecca123439 · 18/10/2025 14:30

What was the outcome here please

Yes, and what happened to the nursery place?

Rebecca123439 · 18/10/2025 15:32

Are you in a similar situation?

BadgernTheGarden · 18/10/2025 15:40

XenoBitch · 19/08/2025 21:43

That is not the point. She claims UC and that is her money.
It would stop if she lived with her partner. Being financially dependant on a partner is not good.

I am in the same boat in a way, except my partner does not send me money. If we lived together then my UC would be reduced to £0. Neither of us want that.

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Good old tax payers don't mind supporting you at all. At least you are honest about it!

motherofdragons11 · 18/10/2025 15:50

Clonakilla · 12/10/2025 07:27

This woman’s child is living in poverty and is at risk of always doing so. They cannot afford their bills and food from the money coming in. She is dependent on the state, and is now also dependent on gifts from a partner that will mean if she needs to leave him because he is violent or horrible to her kid, she has to weigh up providing her kid with food.

There is absolutely nothing to envy here.

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In that case it would be better to work

stomachamelon · 18/10/2025 16:01

@Davethebuilderits a process to be declared ‘unable to work because of disability’. The advance is more than likely the basic you are entitled to before assessment. You then have to supply sick notes and go through a disability assessment. Have you applied for PIP?
None of these things are instantaneous.

Also there is a far bit of misinformation on here. Most people regardless of their situation pay towards their council tax dependent on where they live.

@PocketSandmaintenance for your children is not deducted and misadvising OP is not a good idea.

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