How do people live off £317.72 Universal Credit?

Vates

As always it is Alice Holt replying with knowledge, insight and grace. I always appreciate your posts because you often have the facts and figures. I always appreciate them as I often learn something. Thank you.

Kentish_Dave

Vates wrote: »

I have no idea. But loving people giving their own personal anecdotes as to why it's wrong to spend that much, like it is irrefutable evidence. Everybody can save money and I'm pretty good at budgeting for needs not wants but everyone's circumstances are different. But genuinely no clue. Sometimes I wish I had stayed in supported housing so I wouldn't have to deal with all this.

You made your choices, you experienced the outcomes, and now here you are.

There’s no point wondering about the policies behind what the state chooses to contribute towards your costs, it is what it is.

You can only control the things in your power to affect. Worry more about those, less about the other things, and you’ll have the best outcomes that you can have.

Vates

You often don't make rational 'decisions' when ill. I still am receiving help and support for my condition. You have zero empathy or concern for anyone else but yourself. The example of the I'm alright, Jack. Pull the ladder up behind me! You have no understanding of the complexities of living with a disability or long term/chronic illness. Why should I listen to anything you have to say?

on ignore list now for lacking empathy.

tomtom256

Alice_Holt wrote: »

The group of people who must really struggle are those who have been assessed as not fit for work and placed in the LCW UC group (the equivalent of the ESA WRAG group,
Under UC the single rate is currently £73 pw rather than pre 2016 ESA WRAG rate of £102. A reduction of nearly 30% (more in real terms).

This bit isn't quite right, as those that started the health journey prior to April 2017, still get the WRAG/LCW premium i.e. the natural migration customers, it's only those that are new to UC and have only recently started their health journey that don't get the premium.

Newman2

tomtom256 wrote: »

Its the same amount you get for JSA etc.

It's not designed to live off but as a stepping stone between unemployment and further employment.

Problem is that that stepping stone may take a while even for those who try their damnedest to get a job. You still have to live in the meantime and it is a daily struggle, whether you have disabilities or not. Don't forget that benefits have not increased at all for a few years now and prices are going up all the time so while it may have been doable a few years ago it is getting harder each year to get by. You can budget all you like but if you end up not getting a DHP and you have an advance from UC to pay rent it is then almost impossible to live off the money. UC has led to a big loss in terms of housing benefit so an advance is almost inevitable. On the old HB system you could claim as soon as you left employment, now you have to wait over a month and a final wage can mean no money at all for a few weeks. The whole system of UC has been a disaster for many.

TELLIT01

tomtom256 wrote: »

This bit isn't quite right, as those that started the health journey prior to April 2017, still get the WRAG/LCW premium i.e. the natural migration customers, it's only those that are new to UC and have only recently started their health journey that don't get the premium.

Just picking up on the terminology. "Health journey"! that's a term which can only have be dreamt up by some faceless civil servant, much like the 'Fit Note'.

DawnCrush

poppy12345 wrote: »

Let me know your secret, my gas alone is more per month!

It's quite simple when you know how

Use less and consult a comparison site to ensure you are on the best deal for you.

e.g. in the North East supply region, someone who is not even trying to reduce their consumption and so is using the national average of 12000kWh per annum of gas would cost less than £33 per month if they simply consulted a comparison site and chose the best deal for them :money:

K80_Black

Last summer I spent 4.86 a week on broadband and mobile, 5.21 on electricity and 77p a week on gas. During winter, it was 3.08 a week on gas, roughly the same for the other two. I live in NI so no water bills. I keep a spreadsheet, it's a very accurate account. £130 a month for bills, plus a tenner for a phone is ridiculous. I also don't have a TV license as I don't have a television or use iPlayer. That brings my monthly bills in at a maximum of £56.98 a month. Totally baffled how some people are spending over twice that in summer. How long do you guys spend in the shower?!

My food/toiletries bill was £45.38 per week on average - including meals for my partner 3 nights a week and all day Saturday. That's for little top ups from the corner shop too, not just my main shop. £30 a week for food for a lone person is perfectly do-able even if you are spending a ridiculous amount on your utilities.

This was with no attempts to curtail my spending - I was simply documenting what I spent.

poppy12345

DawnCrush wrote: »

It's quite simple when you know how

Use less and consult a comparison site to ensure you are on the best deal for you.

e.g. in the North East supply region, someone who is not even trying to reduce their consumption and so is using the national average of 12000kWh per annum of gas would cost less than £33 per month if they simply consulted a comparison site and chose the best deal for them :money:

Thanks but i do know how. I also used a comparison site very recently and changed energy supplier. My bills are still more than the OP stated above.

poppy12345

K80_Black wrote: »

During winter, it was 3.08 a week on gas, roughly the same for the other two.

Then you must be freezing. Sorry but what ever it costs to keep warm, i'll pay it because i can't be cold. My health is 100 times worse when i'm cold.