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Original poster

Money & UC

57 replies

hipmom1 · 13/10/2020 16:42

Good afternoon,

I’m a single mum.
I have two children. 7 and 2.

I’m currently not working. I lost my part time job during lockdown, and really struggled to find work since. I generally suffer with social anxiety so anything where I have to work in a shop/supermarket (with the public) I struggle with.

I receive a standard allowance from UC of £342 and £517 for my children plus £35 a week child benefits.

I’m really struggling financially. My mortgage is £365 a month, my council tax is £150 a month, Gas and electricity £100 a month, £25 a month for water and £49 for Virgin Media (This is apparently the lowest they can get my WiFi, Phone and TV down too) I also have house/contents insurance, TV licence and phone (£20 a month)

Basically once I’ve paid all my bills I’m left with around £50-60 a week for shopping. I’ve managed to get my shop down to around £45 a week including cleaning and toiletries.

I feel so down. For school this year I relied on a feee charity for second hand school clothes, and have managed to get a couple of outfits from a freely given for my youngest son.

I have their birthday and Xmas coming up and I literally have no money to buy them anything. I’ve explained to my eldest for his birthday we’re just going to watch a movie at home and I’m going to try and budget a take away in so he’s at least done something for his birthday but I can’t afford any presents.

I just feel so low about it all, whenever I do the school run I see all these children with new school bags and bikes and my son is constantly asking can he have a bike or a fancy school bottle (just had a spare one I found in the cupboard)

Tbh I don’t really know what the point of this post is but is anyone could give me any advice or tips I’d really appreciate it. I am actively looking on Indeed and Facebook for jobs that’s are available. I’ve applied for about 10 different jobs over the past week so fingers crossed something comes available soon!

OP posts:
dewisant2020 · 14/10/2020 15:34

Just an idea but your probably be eligible for a warm home discount if your gas and electric provider do it. That's a £140 towards your gas and electric over the colder months. Need to apply online with your energy company

Welikebeingcosy · 14/10/2020 15:40

I'm on UC and get a council tax reduction for being a single person AND for having a child in the house. I dont even know if that's because of UC. It went down from 150 to 30.

If you can't get help with the mortgage then of I were you I would rent out your home and pay rent elsewhere and the income you get would be within the work allowance and then you could apply for the rent element of UC. (Although you would have to check if that's allowed first).

The other thing is water bills are capped for people on UC (sewage and water coming in too) and you can also apply for the warm home discount once a year for your gas and electricity. They don't advertise this but if you contact your suppliers they will send you the application forms. You can get healthy start vouchers too for fruit and veg.

Contact citizens advice to find out anything else you are entitled to.

And well done for managing the way you have done so far especially with the budgeting. You should be proud of yourself and kids dont need all the smart jazzy stuff- even if they believe they do because of their friends. Maybe give him a pound a week pocket money and tell him he can save up for whatever he wants and he will appreciate it. You can always give him a little bit more when your income goes up.

If you're on UC and your 2 year old is getting their 15 hours a week chilcare- use that time to chill out and unwind and solutions may pop into your head for making some extra cash. Just remember even if things feel tough, you are managing and it can only get better. Hugs xxx

Babyroobs · 14/10/2020 16:00

@Welikebeingcosy

I'm on UC and get a council tax reduction for being a single person AND for having a child in the house. I dont even know if that's because of UC. It went down from 150 to 30.

If you can't get help with the mortgage then of I were you I would rent out your home and pay rent elsewhere and the income you get would be within the work allowance and then you could apply for the rent element of UC. (Although you would have to check if that's allowed first).

The other thing is water bills are capped for people on UC (sewage and water coming in too) and you can also apply for the warm home discount once a year for your gas and electricity. They don't advertise this but if you contact your suppliers they will send you the application forms. You can get healthy start vouchers too for fruit and veg.

Contact citizens advice to find out anything else you are entitled to.

And well done for managing the way you have done so far especially with the budgeting. You should be proud of yourself and kids dont need all the smart jazzy stuff- even if they believe they do because of their friends. Maybe give him a pound a week pocket money and tell him he can save up for whatever he wants and he will appreciate it. You can always give him a little bit more when your income goes up.

If you're on UC and your 2 year old is getting their 15 hours a week chilcare- use that time to chill out and unwind and solutions may pop into your head for making some extra cash. Just remember even if things feel tough, you are managing and it can only get better. Hugs xxx

Do you really think the government will pay Uc rent element when someone already has a house to live in ?? Equity is treated as capital and she would be worse off and they won't pay it.
Original poster
hipmom1 · 14/10/2020 16:29

@Welikebeingcosy Unfortunately as good as this idea is I wouldn’t be able to rent my house out and rent another as 1) UC doesn’t allow it, 2) If anything was to go wrong I’m not in the position to do anything (ie bad tenants, rent not paid, tenants refuse to leave)

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 14/10/2020 19:27

@hipmom1

I’ve had a phone call. Job interview over the phone on Friday. Yay! 33 hours a week so more than what I did before which is brilliant. I’ve had another email from a job I’ve applied for as well.
That’s fab. Well done. Fingers crossed
Welikebeingcosy · 14/10/2020 19:52

@Babyroobs hence why I wrote "you would have to check first", as I don't know their rules inside out.

ClarasZoo · 16/10/2020 20:01

I make all my children a little pack of cardboard cards with a little activity or treat on for birthdays and Christmas. So it might be a bar of chocolate when I next go to the supermarket, a Starbucks drink or (and this is the coveted one) a late pass to stay up till 10pm/11pm or whatever- they always want several of those.... this spreads out the joy and cost, throughout the year. It can be anything your kid enjoys- a baking session, a tv film with popcorn... A new book they choose from the bookshop, anything really, and they have the fun of spending the token with you..

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