WWYD regarding credit cards and universal credits?

[llmb]

So I have a large debt on 2 credit cards (I’m not crazy spending, this has resulted in having not a penny left after bills over 8 years of being a single parent and relying on credit card for bigger expenditures etc) one of my dc is disabled and I had to stop Work but I have now gone back to work part time. My problem is universal credit (and I will be reliant on this unfortunately) hasn’t rolled out in my area yet, I believe it is June 2018. So I have £300 a month saved each month, I want to be paying that onto the credit card but I’m petrified of when UC comes as so many people have been left months without money and I’m in private renting with rent £1000 a month. If I don’t get what is now housing benefit I can’t pay my rent. SO. Do I pay this £300 to credit card as the interest is obviously racking up... or keep it aside as I’m doing online each month so I have at least something to live off whilst UC sorts itself out? I’m thinking keep hold of it for now?

Think you can have £5k in savings before it affects your application. Maybe do half and half. Some towards your debt and some saved.

I would pay as much to your credit card debts as you can. If you do have any problems with UC you will have your cards as a back up. There is no point having money in the bank and racking up interest on cards.

I should add though, with at least £300 per month available to save/pay off debt, are you even entitled to housing benefit/equivalent?