I haven't received my notice yet but I will at some point, and its making me anxious.
I've been in receipt of TCs for 10 years. Apart from 11 months of maternity leave, I've worked full time on a low income to rebuild and support my family following the breakdown of my relationship, pretty much following the birth of my child. I was left in a huge amount of debt by the ex and feel proud that despite the hardship and mess we were left in, I've managed to keep things ticking over somehow, and kept our home.
Not having the best income coming in, it's made me be very responsible with money. I mean I have to be. Single parent with no help from the other parent, with a mortgage, I literally have no social life or luxuries but I do have abit of savings in the event of home repairs/renovations and emergencies as that is the responsible thing to do. My savings are much less than 16k but are there ready to be able to make renovations to my house to benefit my disabled child. 2024 was they year they work was going to begin. Now I feel this could be seen as deprivation of income but it's stuff that needs to be done, it's just taken time to save.
I've never posted my thoughts but have read several threads on here and SM, and I cant help but feel that UC is really unfair. I also feel alot of people are very quick to bash anyone who are in receipt of benefits which also makes me nervous to post this.
Not everyone on benefits is unemployed and a 'scrounger' as so many people like to call us. Alot of people actually work but are in low paid jobs. Some people cant work due to illness and disability. Yes some people do play the system but it's unfair to put everyone claiming benefits in the same basket. I work with SEND children. Absolutely love my job and it's hard work, but education jobs at my level are generally extremely poorly paid, which I find crazy as they are so important, just like all other low paid jobs! I feel very trapped that I cannot better myself, upskill or retrain as I qualify for no help due to being a homeowner so I very much feel stuck.
From what I've read about UC they have alot more control over you. How are you meant to better yourself? As a homeowner how am I meant to do emergency house repairs? I mean a boiler, plumbing, gas, electrics, roofing, windows are all very expensive things to repair/upgrade. How the hell am I meant to maintain our home without being able to save for events like above as well as have an emergency fund of 3 or so moneys pay should I become unemployed/unable to work etc?
I'm guessing I'll get mixed opinions to my post but £6k in savings is absolutely nothing. Especially when you are a homeowner. I've seen people getting thousands in UC every month (no judgement), even with my income included, the total household income every month is less than 2k, so running a home, a child and dog and paying off debts it really doesn't go that far.
Not sure why I'm posting this now I've wrote it. Abit worried some people won't see the genuine worries behind it. It just feels like because I need to claim financial help I am not allowed to do any better