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Original poster

UCredit

29 replies

teacherteacherss · 17/07/2023 10:19

So in the real world. Not everyone has fabulous jobs and some ppl including me rely a lot on benefit help and im prob gonna get as roasting on here cos heaven forbid anyone on Mumsnet gets benefits

Me and hubby both work part time so between us we are under £30k as mine is nmw and his is only part time. UC top up the shortfall so covers our rent (yes that's right we don't own. The shock horror).

After bills rent etc taking into account we left with around 500 a month disposable income which covers food but we buy cheap food from cheap places such as Aldi Asda etc. it also covers clothes but we don't need clothes all the time and we get a lot on vinted.. it also covers days out etc

So we aren't poor but by no means rich either so i do wonder if anyone else on Mumsnet is like us as it never seems like it

Let the bitchy comments begin

OP posts:
Original poster
teacherteacherss · 17/07/2023 10:20

We both work part time so that we rely only on each other tor childcare so that's why

OP posts:
Bromptotoo · 17/07/2023 10:50

Paying rent is the usual reason why people are, absent chronic sickness or disability, getting UC.

Original poster
teacherteacherss · 17/07/2023 10:56

That message made no sense?

OP posts:
Original poster
teacherteacherss · 17/07/2023 13:13

Anyone else?

OP posts:
AlwaysFrazzled88 · 17/07/2023 14:28

Bromptotoo · 17/07/2023 10:50

Paying rent is the usual reason why people are, absent chronic sickness or disability, getting UC.

More likely due to not being paid high enough wages. I could work four days a week in my hospitality job and get similar to my DH working in a school. I don't as we don't have childcare hence getting UC.

Ironically OP earns a lot more than us but because we own a house we get less so she is better off than us and I am not seeing the point of what seems a goady thread.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 17/07/2023 14:32

Apart from goading, what else do you hope to to achieve with this thread?

Babyroobs · 17/07/2023 14:45

AlwaysFrazzled88 · 17/07/2023 14:28

More likely due to not being paid high enough wages. I could work four days a week in my hospitality job and get similar to my DH working in a school. I don't as we don't have childcare hence getting UC.

Ironically OP earns a lot more than us but because we own a house we get less so she is better off than us and I am not seeing the point of what seems a goady thread.

Show quote history

How is she better off than you by renting ? You will one day own your own home and presumably building up equity and benefiting from house prices rising.

TeaKitten · 17/07/2023 14:46

I don’t understand the point of this thread, it reads like you are literally hoping for an argument. Is there some sort of advice you need?

TeaKitten · 17/07/2023 14:47

Babyroobs · 17/07/2023 14:45

How is she better off than you by renting ? You will one day own your own home and presumably building up equity and benefiting from house prices rising.

Show quote history

I assume she means better off financially month to month as a renter will get more UC

Bromptotoo · 17/07/2023 14:48

teacherteacherss · 17/07/2023 10:56

That message made no sense?

Do you mean mine about rent?

I was making the point that in any award where housing costs are paid it they are, by some margin, the largest element in the monthly calculation.

AlwaysFrazzled88 · 17/07/2023 14:49

Babyroobs · 17/07/2023 14:45

How is she better off than you by renting ? You will one day own your own home and presumably building up equity and benefiting from house prices rising.

Show quote history

I meant the amount they get in UC. You can earn quite a bit and still qualify for UC. We earn roughly £20k and if we earn too much more than that we don't get much or anything

Obviously I acknowledge the privilege of owning a house!

Babyroobs · 17/07/2023 14:50

AlwaysFrazzled88 · 17/07/2023 14:49

I meant the amount they get in UC. You can earn quite a bit and still qualify for UC. We earn roughly £20k and if we earn too much more than that we don't get much or anything

Obviously I acknowledge the privilege of owning a house!

Show quote history

And you get a much higher work allowance if you have a mortgage rather than renting.

AlwaysFrazzled88 · 17/07/2023 14:50

TeaKitten · 17/07/2023 14:47

I assume she means better off financially month to month as a renter will get more UC

Show quote history

Yes. OP gets more help despite their wages being a lot more.

Anyway I think OP is being goady.

AlwaysFrazzled88 · 17/07/2023 14:52

Babyroobs · 17/07/2023 14:50

And you get a much higher work allowance if you have a mortgage rather than renting.

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Yes but some of the high amounts you see being awarded are for example for renters despite the fact we are worse off by far. Anyway let's not give the OP what she wants. 🤣

Original poster
teacherteacherss · 17/07/2023 15:01

I'm not being goady at all

OP posts:
Danikm151 · 17/07/2023 15:04

@teacherteacherss if you wanted to get a lot of negative responses you should have posted in AIBU.
I’ve found the moneymatters forum to be really helpful when it comes to UC.

There’s nothing to be ashamed of by claiming UC as long as you meet the criteria. That’s why it’s called Universal.

I work full time over minimum wage and still get UC. I’m bloody grateful for it.

itsallnewnow · 17/07/2023 15:05

I think the previous poster meant that high rent cost is usually the reason people get UC other than having an illness etc.

I'm not sure what you're getting at? Are you just bragging that you can still afford food, clothes and days out? Lots of people can't even with a benefits top up so yea j guess that's good, well done Smile

TimeToMoveIt · 17/07/2023 15:09

Well if your children are young and it's stopping the need for childcare I don't see what the issue is? Better for both parents to go part time than it being the mum having to take the hit

SouthCountryGirl · 17/07/2023 15:30

AlwaysFrazzled88 · 17/07/2023 14:49

I meant the amount they get in UC. You can earn quite a bit and still qualify for UC. We earn roughly £20k and if we earn too much more than that we don't get much or anything

Obviously I acknowledge the privilege of owning a house!

Show quote history

But the rent element isn't their money to spend whereas the other elements (apart from childcare if they receive it) are theirs

AlwaysFrazzled88 · 17/07/2023 15:37

SouthCountryGirl · 17/07/2023 15:30

But the rent element isn't their money to spend whereas the other elements (apart from childcare if they receive it) are theirs

Show quote history

I am talking about that a couple can earn a lot more and get help with rent but we earn a lot less and get less help because we own. So obviously they will have more spare cash especially if no childcare costs.

AlwaysFrazzled88 · 17/07/2023 15:38

itsallnewnow · 17/07/2023 15:05

I think the previous poster meant that high rent cost is usually the reason people get UC other than having an illness etc.

I'm not sure what you're getting at? Are you just bragging that you can still afford food, clothes and days out? Lots of people can't even with a benefits top up so yea j guess that's good, well done Smile

Comes across like that doesn't it.

itsallnewnow · 17/07/2023 15:50

@AlwaysFrazzled88 well yes Confused but surely that can't be the intention. I've been on benefits before and now I'm not 🤷🏻‍♀️ lots of people get working tax credit or universal top up I've not seen people being rude about it on here except when they're being rude and entitled, that's not benefits bashing though it's usually cause the poster is coming across badly in general

TeaKitten · 17/07/2023 16:03

teacherteacherss · 17/07/2023 15:01

I'm not being goady at all

Have you actually read back your OP? It is goady. So what did you want advice on?

AlwaysFrazzled88 · 17/07/2023 16:29

itsallnewnow · 17/07/2023 15:50

@AlwaysFrazzled88 well yes Confused but surely that can't be the intention. I've been on benefits before and now I'm not 🤷🏻‍♀️ lots of people get working tax credit or universal top up I've not seen people being rude about it on here except when they're being rude and entitled, that's not benefits bashing though it's usually cause the poster is coming across badly in general

As much as I might like to think the best of OP's intentions I am not sure on it really. How many people on UC have lots of disposable income? Not many as I guess you are aware too.

DumpedByText · 17/07/2023 16:36

Why can't one of you work full time. I'm a lone parent and work full time, relying on UC to top you up when you both work PT isn't acceptable IMO.