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Original poster

Universal credit... Struggling!

63 replies

bumblebee39 · 19/10/2018 20:15

I am finding it really hard to get used to UC. My income has dropped a lot recently and so I feel like normal for a couple of weeks, and then am poor the rest of the month. Paying off the advance is a struggle too. It was easier getting tax credits etc. Weekly and then I covered everything else monthly but had my food shop money each week.

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Original poster
bumblebee39 · 19/10/2018 20:26

Are you on UC and struggling? How can I manage better. Tia X

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ivykaty44 · 19/10/2018 20:33

Can you not pay your bills and then either think of 4/5 store cupboard meals and purchase enough for 4 weeks, then split anything that’s left into 4

At least then you know you have food in the cupboards for the last weeks

Original poster
bumblebee39 · 19/10/2018 21:41

I think it's just where I've been in arrears on things for a while now an paying the advance, plus I have to pay my rent in advance not arrears. I am trying to get on top of it, but speaking to financial advice next week as I have debts to pay off, too. I am hoping to be back in work, at uni PT and do a PT course soon, which should bring in a better income on top but it's just so tight in the mean time. I had to go to the food bank today which was so embarrassing. I know it's what it's there for and that I'm doing my best but it's still upsetting. I hate not earning money. I am waiting to hear back about my overdraft which hopefully I will get and might make some financial space until I get back into work or study and get onto a better income. I was on income support when DC1 was little and never remember it being this hard. Food seems to have gone up a lot and I used to be on contract now on pay as you go mobile which is more expensive although my data allowance is much better. I am trying my best to make ends meet but it's hard. I don't know if it's just where I'm not used to being on such a low income anymore and need to get better at budgeting. Ah well, lesson learned this month next month I will be buying supermarket vouchers!

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TulipsInBloom1 · 19/10/2018 21:44

Are all of your bills on direct debit? If so can you set them all to come out on the same day, straight after UC payment?

Then whatever is left, withdraw and split into weekly envelopes. Never take from the next envelope. Any money left in each goes into the last one, so as to see you into the next month.

TulipsInBloom1 · 19/10/2018 21:45

Are you able to get a referral to a foodbank?

Do you have a decent sized freezer? If so, ask on the food/housekeeping boards here for any recipes or tips to bulk out meals or low cost make ahead and freeze meals.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 19/10/2018 21:47

It is harder than before. Benefits have reduced in value in real terms. Food and fuel have increased in cost.
You have my sympathies.
Have you looked at renegotiating your debt repayments? CAB or Stephanie may be able to help.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 19/10/2018 21:47

StepChange! Not bloody Stephanie. Who the fuck is Stephanie?!

Original poster
bumblebee39 · 19/10/2018 21:55

Thing is I'm always borrowing off the month before since being on UC I just can't seem to catch up and every month there's another unexpected expense. This month both my kids needed winter coats and went up a dress size. They both eat more than the average adult and I just can't keep up. I have been to the food bank today and am going to get some financial advice next week. I am also seeing what help I can get for clothes etc. I am hoping that one thing I was expecting to pay for next month will now be taken care of for one more month by a third party, but in the mean time I'm still in limbo until I know. I have stupid bills like £60 electric I didn't pay when I moved 2 years ago that has just found me and know I need to keep up minimum repayments as well as making a contribution to that or it will just hammer my credit rating further. I also owe money to family I haven't even begun paying back. It just feels monumental like I'm in a financial hold I'm never going to get out of.

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Original poster
bumblebee39 · 19/10/2018 22:04

I meant the month after not the month before lol X

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ivykaty44 · 20/10/2018 07:06

Do you claim council tax benefit from your local council? If you do you can ask for a dhp form for some help

ivykaty44 · 20/10/2018 07:10

Tbh I wouldn’t go down the route of setting up direct debit for anyone receiving UC
As the amounts can vary from month to month it can actually cause more problems if the money isn’t there as the bank will charge

Original poster
bumblebee39 · 20/10/2018 12:15

My UC keeps changing too. It's basically just replaced tax credits I think but I swear I get less on UC than I did with CTC
Taking into account the advance and that I'm on a reduced rate due to student money I should be entitled to but haven't actually received I think I've actually been given an impossible budget, and last month I had a lot of expenses I couldn't have planned for as well as some I could have (kids grow, duh!) anyway, I have received one food parcel which was generous and should help me get through the next couple of weeks a bit more comfortably. I have negotiated with my housing provider whether I can pay my rent when I next get UC so hopefully they will be flexible. I am also waiting to hear about an agreed overdraft which might give me some flexibility until the situation improves. I will set up some direct debits for the minimal amounts I need to pay off some things (£5 here and there) but pay off my bigger amounts a) as and when I can afford it and b) in bigger sums by BACS or postal payment when I can. I don't want to set up big payments because every month my UC seems to change, and never for the better.

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LeftRightCentre · 20/10/2018 12:20

It's basically just replaced tax credits I think but I swear I get less on UC than I did with CTC

You do! It's not designed to save money or do anything but punish people for being poor, that's it. It's completely ideologically driven to be punitive.

Villanellesproudmum · 20/10/2018 12:25

Are you able to apply for any student loans?

Original poster
bumblebee39 · 20/10/2018 12:26

It would have been the same, but due to the advance I'm worse off. It's a joke. Honestly I switched because I was in a UC area and then moved so now am not, but where I'm already on it they won't change me back over (presumably because I have to pay the advance off).

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Original poster
bumblebee39 · 20/10/2018 12:27

I have applied for student finance but it's still pending 🙄 has been for 3 months now due to changing address and some other teething problems.

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Original poster
bumblebee39 · 20/10/2018 12:28

It's only part time and still showing as a full time application, even though I have changed it to PT repeatedly I am going to ring them on Monday because it's getting silly now.

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Original poster
bumblebee39 · 20/10/2018 12:29

I have phoned them repeatedly but it's still an ongoing pain in my bum lol

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Sarahani · 20/10/2018 12:30

Do you have clothes banks where you are? There are a few around that do great free kids clothes.

Charity shops are also worth a look for kids coats. I buy and give loads to our local one.

Original poster
bumblebee39 · 20/10/2018 12:36

I got older DC a coat cheaply in ASDA already and a gilet thing for £2 in a charity shop which she can wear with her hoodies which still fit. I will need to get her some bits. I did get given some things for DC2 by the food bank already and they said they'll keep an eye out for anything suitable but no baby bank in my area unfortunately. X

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Pythonesque · 20/10/2018 12:45

Food prices do seem to rise disproportionately. Definitely look at boards here for ideas about what to look for to get more interesting meals without spending very much. If it is practical note when your local supermarkets do their reductions - but only buy things that you know you will be able to use.

Clothes - I've had a lot of my best finds for children's clothes in charity shops. Especially if you can sensibly access some in a more well-off area. And I've not been in your position, just like to find nice stuff at a price that doesn't seem extortionate!

I really hope that the financial advice you're getting next week will be able to help you set out everything and plan as best you can until the student loan comes through etc. Very best wishes, it sounds really difficult.

MNHQ
YetAnotherBeckyBOOMumsnet · 20/10/2018 13:29

Hello OP - we're really sorry to hear you're having a tough time of things.

We've had a number of reports from people concerned about this thread so, as we usually do in these circs, we're putting our heads round the door with some important reminders.

Right now we can't see any evidence to indicate that the OP isn't above board – if we did, we'd remove the thread straight away. But the truth is that, sadly, we at MNHQ can't know with 100% certainty that any poster is genuine, no matter who they are or how long they have been here. As frustrating as it is, we're not able to vouch for anyone here. So we always ask everyone to remember that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are – and remind folk not to give more to another poster, either financially (in cash or gifts) or emotionally (in time or care and support) than they'd be prepared to lose if things went wrong.

Sorry to hijack your thread briefly there, OP – we really hope you get it all sorted soon.

Original poster
bumblebee39 · 20/10/2018 13:34

I don't understand why would it be not genuine? I think people are double reading between this and the Xmas thread but I'm talking about two different situations. My current financial situation (desperate) and future one (hopefully improved).

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PrincessDando · 20/10/2018 13:37

bumblebee I'm sure you are genuine, but it is within the realms of possibility that some posters who start these types of thread may not be, can you really not see that?

Original poster
bumblebee39 · 20/10/2018 13:45

Of course I can see that just obviously someone has raised that it didn't come out of nowhere. It's frustrating I know this site gets misused at times but I also find it an invaluable source of advice X

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