Universal Credit

[TheWitchIsBack]

I just wanted people’s input on universal credit. I’ve seen so many horror stories in the media but I am on it and have had nothing but an easy time! I work full time and get around £400 per month in UC. When I applied I was granted an advance. And recieved this within a few days yes paying it back at £90 per month was a struggle.

And this is where my opinion may be unpopular but...... if I wasn’t on UC and did just work full time and took a back loan a payday loan any form of credit I’d be expected to pay it back ! So just because I’m on UC why shouldn’t I pay it back. Secondly I have heard people criticising it’s paid monthly.
Well so is my wages just because it’s a benefit why should it be paid weekly or 2 weekly. Whatever the reason for claiming whether you are ill , a lone parent Etc etc people need to learn and be equipped with the tools to budget money for the month. We need to stop holding peoples hands!! So on tv where people are going months and months without money and their children are hungry and have no food where was their advance ? Why are they in this position? The media are quick to throw stones at UC but never divulge reasons why these people have not been paid.

Jobs have rules ie....start time , and punctuality so if they miss their appointments sorry that’s as good as not turning into work (obviously if there is a serious reason as to why they can not then that’s different)

The only thing I do disagree with is that people have to be able to access the internet I understand this is extremely difficult for a lot of people , and I also think the job center should be called benefits center because they don’t help u find a job it’s all benefits benefits!!!!
There should a separate division you are referred to for training / job support.

What’s people’s thoughts

I say this in the most respectful way possible but your opinion is formulated from a point of privilege.

You’re in a position where you’re using this to “top up” your income rather than being heavily reliant on it and have been lucky in that you found the process straight forward.

There are a lot of social-economic factors in benefit claiming and I often find the people who need it/rely on it the most are the people least equipped to go through the application process. Some can’t read, struggle with reading, have difficulty on the phone, don’t have access to a phone and don’t have the luxury of trailing their kids to a phone box for an hour. The DWP are nothing short of a horror show and actually targeted for getting folk working. The delays in receiving UC can be utterly crippling to families and if it’s a main source of income paying back the advance they’ve been given could be the difference between a hot meal or not. I’ve seen far too many families having to make a choice between electricity and food and a lot of people turn their heads and try to believe Channel 5 that it’s all drunks and drug addicts because no one wants to believe the harsh reality of poverty in 2020.

 

[BettyCrocker]

I think it works for people who only need it to
Top up a low wage. I don’t think it works for those who are reliant on it completely or for those who are in serious social need (homeless/addicts/those with mental health issues) - I watched an episode of benefits Britain not too long ago and it was focused on UC in Hartlepool. Some of the people featured were just taking the piss but some were seriously poor souls who needed real help - not just financially but real social
Help. One guy was sanctioned and got no money, because he didn’t reply to a letter. But that’s because he had hardly any eye sight and didn’t have a phone in his (hell hole) flat so couldn’t phone them etc - it was hard to watch, he was having a breakdown in a phone box outside the job centre because no one in the job centre would see him as he didn’t have an appointment and they told him to phone the main UC phone number to book an appointment- but he had no money to use the phone box!

 

[Deepsigh2018]

What is a disgrace is employers not paying employees enough in wages for people to survive on.

Its also a shame that there are people who like to try and abuse the system which makes it harder for genuine people in need

 

[Cantstandspanj]

I say this in the most respectful way possible but your opinion is formulated from a point of privilege.

You’re in a position where you’re using this to “top up” your income rather than being heavily reliant on it and have been lucky in that you found the process straight forward.

There are a lot of social-economic factors in benefit claiming and I often find the people who need it/rely on it the most are the people least equipped to go through the application process. Some can’t read, struggle with reading, have difficulty on the phone, don’t have access to a phone and don’t have the luxury of trailing their kids to a phone box for an hour. The DWP are nothing short of a horror show and actually targeted for getting folk working. The delays in receiving UC can be utterly crippling to families and if it’s a main source of income paying back the advance they’ve been given could be the difference between a hot meal or not. I’ve seen far too many families having to make a choice between electricity and food and a lot of people turn their heads and try to believe Channel 5 that it’s all drunks and drug addicts because no one wants to believe the harsh reality of poverty in 2020.

This is 100% accurate!

 

[Marmaladethecat]

I've recently had to claim UC as my marriage has broken down. I've never claimed anything before so this has been my only experience of the benefits system. There's a lot of hoops to jump through and I was ashamed with the seemingly endless proof of no earnings, childcare etc. I work but I'm self employed so my wage is very up and down. I too find it distressing that in 2020 the expectation to rely on your spouse is still there. My husband emptied the joint account so I really was stuck. Having to pay for childcare then waiting 4 weeks for 85% of it back has been really difficult. At the moment I honestly don't know if I'm going to be able to pay my bills and feed my 2 children

 

[Thetruth123]

I just wanted people’s input on universal credit. I’ve seen so many horror stories in the media but I am on it and have had nothing but an easy time! I work full time and get around £400 per month in UC. When I applied I was granted an advance. And recieved this within a few days yes paying it back at £90 per month was a struggle.

And this is where my opinion may be unpopular but...... if I wasn’t on UC and did just work full time and took a back loan a payday loan any form of credit I’d be expected to pay it back ! So just because I’m on UC why shouldn’t I pay it back. Secondly I have heard people criticising it’s paid monthly.
Well so is my wages just because it’s a benefit why should it be paid weekly or 2 weekly. Whatever the reason for claiming whether you are ill , a lone parent Etc etc people need to learn and be equipped with the tools to budget money for the month. We need to stop holding peoples hands!! So on tv where people are going months and months without money and their children are hungry and have no food where was their advance ? Why are they in this position? The media are quick to throw stones at UC but never divulge reasons why these people have not been paid.

Jobs have rules ie....start time , and punctuality so if they miss their appointments sorry that’s as good as not turning into work (obviously if there is a serious reason as to why they can not then that’s different)

The only thing I do disagree with is that people have to be able to access the internet I understand this is extremely difficult for a lot of people , and I also think the job center should be called benefits center because they don’t help u find a job it’s all benefits benefits!!!!
There should a separate division you are referred to for training / job support.

What’s people’s thoughts

 

[Emzykins]

These people obviously haven’t got a clue. You’re doing great and setting a good example for your daughter.

Thank you so much. When I moved into my new house, a young mum moved in opposite me with 3 children. She asked me "why do you need to work? You have a kid?" - I fully understand some people can afford to not work, or can't afford to work due to childcare. But her outright implying that I shouldn't need to work because I have a child is awful. That's exactly why I work, to give us bigger & better things. I've just taken out a part-mortgage on my new home thanks to me going back to work when my daughter was still so young, and I'll forever be so proud of myself, universal credit claimant or not!

 

[Glitz]

The odd person getting £1000 a month is literally nothing compared with how politicians and the 1% bleed the economy dry. Completely wrong place for the focus to be. Anyone that thinks a grand a month is going to provide a lavish lifestyle needs their head checked.

It baffles me that UC is used to top up low wages. Companies pay out billions to shareholders but can't pay a living wage. It's a farce.

Meanwhile statutory maternity pay is £150 a week despite being a benefit only applicable to those paying into the system. It's all topsy-turvy.

 

[Emzykins]

I claim UC, mainly for childcare for my daughter (she is 2 next week). I work full time spread over 4 days (36 hours), I'm also a single parent and my daughters other parent isn't involved. I see sooo many comments about how this £20 was only temporary, but I didn't even know it was a thing as I started claiming after it was rolled out. I hate telling people I claim it, despite it being towards childcare that enables me to work. For me, even with my wage, child benefit and my UC top up, I still really struggle most months. The comments you see on Facebook about people being scroungers and how people need to get jobs annoy me so much. I have worked my entire adult life, I ended up in this position through no fault of my own (I had a mortgage with my ex, we lived comfortably etc). Now I am doing it all totally alone, I'm working my bloody backside off to provide a life for the two of us, and yet some people would still brand me as a scrounger all because I claim UC. Awful.

 

[Bitofthebubbly]

It was only ever temporary and that was made clear from the off. It's already had one extension and the end of that was clearly told in plenty of time. People have been calling it a cut when it's just a return to how things were. I have more sympathy for those on benefits like JSA who have missed out on around 1500 quid from it not being extended to them.

The cost of living has increased in recent months. Food and energy bills are 2 things that I have noticed an increase in myself, fuel for the car too. Whether it’s a ‘cut’ or not is just semantics. The government hasn’t taken these increases in living expenses into consideration. A lot of people are going to struggle without that ‘extra’ £20 a week over the winter months through no fault of their own.

You can also have sympathy for both groups. The government treats both uc claimants and jobseekers appallingly in my opinion.

 

[CrazyCatLady101]

I may be unpopular but here goes, Why do others think its right that if my partner lost his job I would be responsible for him and his bills?

I earn 21k a year, like most others I have debt of my own to pay but lets not forget about the private rent we have to pay as we cannot get a council house so that's £500 a month, the council tax at £120, gas & electric at £100, then a mobile contract at £50 that I am tied into, the internet that I am also tied into that he would need in order to find another job (£50), my car loan £150, road tax £15, Insurance £25. So far that's £1010.00 before I even consider petrol to and from work 5 days a week, food and debts I am paying off. Others think its acceptable to cover his bills too such as payments for his child £250, his car loan £170, his road tax, insurance ect ect.

Just because we choose to live together does not make me responsible for him financially!

 

[Lovelylavenderface]

When I was last unemployed we went through the entire assessment - husband and I as I couldn't claim it just for myself, only to then be told I wouldn't get anything as my husband is paid too much and would be able to support me. Waste of my bloody time!!

In 2020 you’re not entitled to money to support yourself oh no your partner is supposed to pay for you, wtf? Benefits shouldn’t work that way! They just want people not to claim any money it’s so obvious.

 

[SkankHunt42]

It's a step in the right direction, but some of it's edges need to be rounded off.

Thanks to the blare and brown governments millions got reliant on working part time on minimum wage jobs and were topped up to a teachers wage with working tax credits and housing benefit. meaning people could choose to not ever want to better themselves or get more hours as they would be no better off. This was allowed even when the children are teenagers and at school.

It needed to change as millions reliant on the state and the state borrowing more isn't sustainable. Not fair that employers and people on NMW are subed by tax payers.

However this might mean a whole generation are lost as they've had it so easy, and it will be slow painful system to reduce the easy benefits. But I agree it is an over correction and the system needs to be softened. But people that can work full time, should work full time.

In 2020 you’re not entitled to money to support yourself oh no your partner is supposed to pay for you, wtf? Benefits shouldn’t work that way! They just want people not to claim any money it’s so obvious.

But why should the tax payers support someone if they legally and financially tied to someone that earns a good wage?

 

[vodkandcokeplz]

When I was last unemployed we went through the entire assessment - husband and I as I couldn't claim it just for myself, only to then be told I wouldn't get anything as my husband is paid too much and would be able to support me. Waste of my bloody time!!

This happened to me when I was laid off in between jobs, because my partner earned too much. That’s his money not mine My boyfriend helped me out but I hated having to ask him for things, it was only for 4 weeks but still.

Imagine when this must happen to a man/woman with an abusive or controlling partner? They will get nothing, it’s not fair at all.

 

[Mercedes12]

Not so much UC but the introduction of PIP I think is awful, based on the below news story:

'My friend was found fit for work then he died - this has to stop'

Pictures of Stephen Smith shocked the nation - now his friend is warning that a change in government is desperately needed

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

So sad and completely preventable

 

[Savannah_xx]

You know what, you get the fools on Facebook and because they've watched a few benefits programmes on channel 5 which rile them up (they know what they're doing) but no one I know on UC is living the Life of Riley.

In fact the opposite, struggling. Whereas they always comment that the people on it have big TVs, the latest phones, designer clothes etc. A lot have to use food banks. That monthly payment is hard for a lot. In the first week or so after bills and everything it's gone. I think a lot prefer the old scheme.

 

[Begborrowsteal]

Its not a cushy life depending on benefits; be it fully reliant or a top up. There is no luxury solely from benefits. Benefit fraud, more like. It absolutely is like a benefit trap. Work needs to pay. After kids, I got a part time job and ended up worse off working. That should never happen. Benefits should be a stop gap for anyone who uses them.

 

[Insomiaflamingo]

I’m sad to see the £20 extra is being stopped. Prices have gone up and people struggle so much already on it. when you think how much the subsidised expensive fancy meals and alcohol costs the tax payer for rich MPs it makes me sick that we can’t spare an extra £20 a week for people on UC (just to say I’m not on it)

Boris Johnson Says Universal Credit Claimants Should Rely On Their Own 'Efforts' Not Welfare

PM risks backlash as he defends £1,000-year cuts due in October

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

Conservative MPs call on Boris Johnson to make temporary £20 Universal Credit uplift permanent ahead of October deadline

The temporary increase in Universal Credit was introduced last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic and extended in March - but it is due to be scrapped in early October.

news.sky.com

Boris doesn't have a clue how the average person has to live and when his own party is telling him to keep it, that should tell him something. If he gets rid of the £20 for people and doesn't extend it to legacy benefits then he will soon find out how unpopular that will make him.

That makes me so angry. Just look at carers on UC, working 24/7 and saving social services hundreds of thousands of pounds in some cases, yet they clearly aren’t making enough effort!

 

[Noname12345]

I agree that if your partner earns enough you should not get benefits. Social is there if you are in real need and if your partner don't want to help out while you are unemployed then you need to question the relationship.

I'm fiercely independent and we both earn really well. If I was made redundant, I wouldn't expect the government to support me but my partner who earns enough to pay 40% income tax. I'd prefer a single mum in need to get the UC instead of me.

 

[Rockin' Robin]

Ok this is a difficult post to write, I don't expect any sympathy because lets face it, when you are on Universal Credit you forgo any finer feelings that you may have had, as an employed person.
I am on Universal Credit at the moment. The amount of hoops I am having to jump through just to receive my payment this month, is deeply distressing. Because I forgot to fill in details of my earnings, my payment has not come through. I mentioned this at the dreadful visit to the Job Centre today. The woman behind the perspex barrier, said that I needed to complete certain things in my "to do list." When I returned home, I logged in and did what was required. I still don't know if I will be paid.
Why do I get the feeling that these Job Centre employees, enjoy watching people squirm and suffer?
Really difficult to cope with right now. I feel like the lowest of the low, any dignity I had is rapidly disappearing. But hey, that is the aim of the game isn't it?