Has anyone heard of the change to UK benefits/tax credits called Universal Credit?

[Tasha]

£500 is a lot to live on and the people who use the benefits as a way of life wont struggle because they will move home etc, but the ones who are using it as a short term measure will struggle. Let me put it this way, someone is working and they live in a £400 a week house (easy in London), they then lose their job for what ever reason and now have to live on £500 a week benefits for a family of five. £400 of that goes on rent, £26 of that goes on council tax (I am just going on what my council tax works out to be weekly btw), so you have £74 a week to pay water, electric and gas as well as food for five people. My electric costs £25 a week alone and then gas is about £15 atm but it will be more come winter, so that leaves £34 a week without even thinking of paying your water and any other bills you may have. You cant just move house cos there will be a contract. All I am saying is that it isnt as simple as it sounds.

MF is right, when you're on a low income then it can be harder. Plus it is everyone who gets it will be monthly, but there is research that says people with mental health problems (so they could be on dla) have a harder time with money (five times more liely to be severe debt) and therefore weekly would be much easier for them to budget with.

 

[tina_h75]

I don't get anywhere near £ 500 a week and even with full housing benefit I still pay a shortfall of £42 each week towards my rent. My gas is £16 per week, electric is £15 per week and water is £10 per week.

 

[Tasha]

Yeah because local housing allowance goes on the rent in your area, doesnt it? So what you get in say the north of England will reflect prices there and those in London will get more housing benefit cos it reflects the prices in London.

 

[tina_h75]

Yeah because local housing allowance goes on the rent in your area, doesnt it? So what you get in say the north of England will reflect prices there and those in London will get more housing benefit cos it reflects the prices in London.

yes, each area has a local housing allowance but it doesn't reflect the actual rent prices. In my area, the maximum allowance for a 3 bed house is £126 per week but the average weekly rent is about £180.

Rent is too expensive !!

 

[Tasha]

Yeah here it is £340 lha and the cheapest rent is £357 for a three bed. But average is about £400. Which is what they would have to pay out of the universal credit.

 

[Tasha]

Oh and I agree, rent is far too expensive. It is something the government really needs to sort.

 

[lucy_x]

I remember reading about this when it first came about, and honestly thinking it was a good idea. Im not sure where this going to look for jobs 9-5 thing has come about? there IS NOTHING like that on the information thing on the DWP website. Just that people will have to demonstrate that they are willing to look for work, much like getting JSA now, which frankly is fair enough if you don't meet the categories suggested for not having to sign the claimant commitment...

There is a lot of unanswered questions, such as study issues, Self employment on a low wage, childcare and everything else. But frankly, why worry about something we have no control over, This will come in like it or not and there will be answers, hopefully . I really don't see it will affect that many people badly unless they live in a high rent area.

 

[Quackquack99]

I completely understand that there is a deficit and cuts need to be made everywhere but when you read that starbucks have not paid a single penny in tax in three years is quite infuriating. Everyone should and big organisations should not be exempt!

 

[Pink Flowers]

tbh I think some people should be going out and getting jobs if they can.

We got housing benefit after martin was made redundant, we were better off.

We didn't want to live like that so Martin got a better job, we lost all CTC etc. but hey we are better off now and not living off other people.

I know some people can't do this, I have family who struggle because if they work more than 16 hours a week they wont be able to afford their rent. But then I look at my brother and his gf who are abusing the system to get a house it makes me angry.

 

[mummylove]

I get DLA employment support CB CTC. I have tried for jobs but even they dont admit it they dont take me on cus of my disability. All they say is im not qualified enough even if its for a job they train for hmmm. My OH is self employed and gets working tax. He is on a low income. He is a taxi driver but where we live its not a big money maker as we live in a village. We have to pay £60 a week towards are rent and £27 a week towards council tax. It took my OH 2 years to get this job. We would be so much better off if he wasnt working be we dont want that. I would be better off if he didnt live here but i dont want that i want my family together. We are not left with much when we pay all bills etc. When i see comments talking about people on benefits and that they should go to work it does hurt me a bit cus i would love to work but i know i do have problems and dont think i could hold down a job. I am meant to be seeing someone at job center soon so hopefully they might be able to help me to build the right things and confidence up

 

[Lydiarose]

tbh I think some people should be going out and getting jobs if they can.

We got housing benefit after martin was made redundant, we were better off.

We didn't want to live like that so Martin got a better job, we lost all CTC etc. but hey we are better off now and not living off other people.

I know some people can't do this, I have family who struggle because if they work more than 16 hours a week they wont be able to afford their rent. But then I look at my brother and his gf who are abusing the system to get a house it makes me angry.

what do you mean by that?

 

[RubyLouise]

Am I buggered? My situation is I have 2 kids. My partner was working full time for the last 11years at tesco but just as I had our second child they cut his hours to 27. At the moment we get housing benefit, ctc and wtc. I'm not working. I have bad anxiety and can't go in shops most the time without my oh. I have worked since I left school up to 6 months ago tho. What would happen to us? Do I have to find a job when my youngest is 1 years old? I love working but the thought of doing it fills me with fear. I know I'm pathetic. X

 

[Eternal]

tbh I think some people should be going out and getting jobs if they can.

We got housing benefit after martin was made redundant, we were better off.

We didn't want to live like that so Martin got a better job, we lost all CTC etc. but hey we are better off now and not living off other people.

I know some people can't do this, I have family who struggle because if they work more than 16 hours a week they wont be able to afford their rent. But then I look at my brother and his gf who are abusing the system to get a house it makes me angry.

what do you mean by that?

Where do you think the money comes from? Taxes!

 

[Eternal]

Am I buggered? My situation is I have 2 kids. My partner was working full time for the last 11years at tesco but just as I had our second child they cut his hours to 27. At the moment we get housing benefit, ctc and wtc. I'm not working. I have bad anxiety and can't go in shops most the time without my oh. I have worked since I left school up to 6 months ago tho. What would happen to us? Do I have to find a job when my youngest is 1 years old? I love working but the thought of doing it fills me with fear. I know I'm pathetic. X

I'm guessing your ill be assessed and given help with anxiety, I know what it's like to be like that, and even taking the job thing out of it,you need help, you don't want to live like that, the kids need you and it can't be nice for you not going out. hope you get some help. Sorry about ohs hours.

 

[RubyLouise]

Am I buggered? My situation is I have 2 kids. My partner was working full time for the last 11years at tesco but just as I had our second child they cut his hours to 27. At the moment we get housing benefit, ctc and wtc. I'm not working. I have bad anxiety and can't go in shops most the time without my oh. I have worked since I left school up to 6 months ago tho. What would happen to us? Do I have to find a job when my youngest is 1 years old? I love working but the thought of doing it fills me with fear. I know I'm pathetic. X

I'm guessing your ill be assessed and given help with anxiety, I know what it's like to be like that, and even taking the job thing out of it,you need help, you don't want to live like that, the kids need you and it can't be nice for you not going out. hope you get some help. Sorry about ohs hours.

Thank you for your kind reply. I've had counseling because I've had anxiety for 4years but managed to work with it but I think it's got worse. Ideally I'd love a pub/bar job where I could work the evenings and my partner work the days. My partners looking everyday for a full time job for himself, there's not much about around here which is a shame x

 

[Eternal]

I get DLA employment support CB CTC. I have tried for jobs but even they dont admit it they dont take me on cus of my disability. All they say is im not qualified enough even if its for a job they train for hmmm. My OH is self employed and gets working tax. He is on a low income. He is a taxi driver but where we live its not a big money maker as we live in a village. We have to pay £60 a week towards are rent and £27 a week towards council tax. It took my OH 2 years to get this job. We would be so much better off if he wasnt working be we dont want that. I would be better off if he didnt live here but i dont want that i want my family together. We are not left with much when we pay all bills etc. When i see comments talking about people on benefits and that they should go to work it does hurt me a bit cus i would love to work but i know i do have problems and dont think i could hold down a job. I am meant to be seeing someone at job center soon so hopefully they might be able to help me to build the right things and confidence up

But being disabled doenst count, if you physically or mentally can't do a job then no one is going to judge you, although I know a lot more should be done in this area too, my bil has learning disabilities and he used to work but his better for him to not money wise,which is sad because it did him good.

I don't think people generally judge anyway, it's just when some of us are getting squeezed tighter and tighter and then hear how much more others gets not working it hurts and you feel foolish for working your butt off to not be able to give your kids what others can.

 

[Eternal]

Am I buggered? My situation is I have 2 kids. My partner was working full time for the last 11years at tesco but just as I had our second child they cut his hours to 27. At the moment we get housing benefit, ctc and wtc. I'm not working. I have bad anxiety and can't go in shops most the time without my oh. I have worked since I left school up to 6 months ago tho. What would happen to us? Do I have to find a job when my youngest is 1 years old? I love working but the thought of doing it fills me with fear. I know I'm pathetic. X

I'm guessing your ill be assessed and given help with anxiety, I know what it's like to be like that, and even taking the job thing out of it,you need help, you don't want to live like that, the kids need you and it can't be nice for you not going out. hope you get some help. Sorry about ohs hours.

Thank you for your kind reply. I've had counseling because I've had anxiety for 4years but managed to work with it but I think it's got worse. Ideally I'd love a pub/bar job where I could work the evenings and my partner work the days. My partners looking everyday for a full time job for himself, there's not much about around here which is a shame x

Sucks, I had major depression and anxiety, so I have been there, and right now we have some major stressors in our lives and I can feel it creeping up on me. It suck, don't be afraid of medication, as it can help.

Jobs are hard, I have qualifications, we don't get anything in benefits and we are seriously struggling, and I can't find anything, it needs to be nights for me as I have three kids under three. But not much around.

 

[RubyLouise]

Am I buggered? My situation is I have 2 kids. My partner was working full time for the last 11years at tesco but just as I had our second child they cut his hours to 27. At the moment we get housing benefit, ctc and wtc. I'm not working. I have bad anxiety and can't go in shops most the time without my oh. I have worked since I left school up to 6 months ago tho. What would happen to us? Do I have to find a job when my youngest is 1 years old? I love working but the thought of doing it fills me with fear. I know I'm pathetic. X

I'm guessing your ill be assessed and given help with anxiety, I know what it's like to be like that, and even taking the job thing out of it,you need help, you don't want to live like that, the kids need you and it can't be nice for you not going out. hope you get some help. Sorry about ohs hours.

Thank you for your kind reply. I've had counseling because I've had anxiety for 4years but managed to work with it but I think it's got worse. Ideally I'd love a pub/bar job where I could work the evenings and my partner work the days. My partners looking everyday for a full time job for himself, there's not much about around here which is a shame x

Sucks, I had major depression and anxiety, so I have been there, and right now we have some major stressors in our lives and I can feel it creeping up on me. It suck, don't be afraid of medication, as it can help.

Jobs are hard, I have qualifications, we don't get anything in benefits and we are seriously struggling, and I can't find anything, it needs to be nights for me as I have three kids under three. But not much around.

I hope you find something soon and that your anxiety stays away xx

 

[taylor197878]

am a bit confused by all this am on med dla care and low mob rate there is no way a could hold down at job my mental state is to up and down,

what happens to the like off me my dla is not up for renewal for 5 years,

plus i get low rate care for my son his is also 5 years,

 

[Pink Flowers]

tbh I think some people should be going out and getting jobs if they can.

We got housing benefit after martin was made redundant, we were better off.

We didn't want to live like that so Martin got a better job, we lost all CTC etc. but hey we are better off now and not living off other people.

I know some people can't do this, I have family who struggle because if they work more than 16 hours a week they wont be able to afford their rent. But then I look at my brother and his gf who are abusing the system to get a house it makes me angry.

what do you mean by that?

Where do you think the money comes from? Taxes!

I meant excatly that ^^

I felt bad not paying taxes because I was out of work and Martin had been made redundant, I don't like the idea of other people paying for things I need or want. Hence why we have no credit cards or debt, because we have always been in the mind set if you can't afford it you can't have it.