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How do people survive on UC?

kimwp
kimwp Posts: 3,228 Forumite
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edited 22 January 2021 at 6:16PM in Benefits & tax credits
Not a rhetoric question, genuinely how does a single person live on £400 ish a month? I think I could squeeze bills, food and annual expenses down to £400 a month, but that leaves nothing for rent/mortgage!

Is there something I'm missing?
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Comments

  • NedS
    NedS Posts: 4,838 Forumite
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    UC (nor legacy benefits) was never designed or intended for people to live on. They are designed to be a temporary measure of support for people between jobs.
    Our green credentials: 12kW Samsung ASHP for heating, 7.2kWp Solar (South facing), Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5kWh), Net exporter
  • kimwp
    kimwp Posts: 3,228 Forumite
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    NedS said:
    UC (nor legacy benefits) was never designed or intended for people to live on. They are designed to be a temporary measure of support for people between jobs.
    Perhaps live on was not the right phrase - it should at least prevent the recipient from getting into debt by providing the basics of food and shelter though surely?
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  • theoretica
    theoretica Posts: 12,691 Forumite
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    Are you not taking into account the rent/housing help on top of the basic £400ish a month?
    But a banker, engaged at enormous expense,
    Had the whole of their cash in his care.
    Lewis Carroll
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,910 Forumite
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    kimwp said:
    Not a rhetoric question, genuinely how does a single person live on £400 ish a month? I think I could squeeze bills, food and annual expenses down to £400 a month, but that leaves nothing for rent/mortgage!

    Is there something I'm missing?

    If you own your home there's no help for your mortgage until 9 concecutive months of zero earnings and even then it's just a loan for the mortgage interest.
    If you rent your home then UC will include help with your rent, how much you're entitled to will depend on your circumstances.
  • Rubyroobs
    Rubyroobs Posts: 1,121 Forumite
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    kimwp said:
    Not a rhetoric question, genuinely how does a single person live on £400 ish a month? I think I could squeeze bills, food and annual expenses down to £400 a month, but that leaves nothing for rent/mortgage!

    Is there something I'm missing?
    It would only be that little for someone with no rent to pay as if they had rent to pay they would get a Uc rent element on top of their standard element. If someone has been assessed as too ill to work then they may also get an extra LCWRA element. If you are a carer you get a carers element.
  • sheramber
    sheramber Posts: 23,216 Forumite
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        how does a single person live on £400 ish a month?
    With difficulty.
    Uses food banks and gets into debt
  • kimwp
    kimwp Posts: 3,228 Forumite
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    Thanks all. I hadn't realised there was help with rent through UC, I'm baffled that a homeowner has to be on UC continuously for so long before they can get help.
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  • tacpot12
    tacpot12 Posts: 9,410 Forumite
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    edited 23 January 2021 at 7:29AM
    Because the help available to home owners on UC is a loan, unless you have a short term issue, it's no help at all. If you have a long term issue, you need to sell your house.

    The comments I post are my personal opinion. While I try to check everything is correct before posting, I can and do make mistakes, so always try to check official information sources before relying on my posts.
  • andygb
    andygb Posts: 14,655 Forumite
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    tacpot12 said:
    Because the help available to home owners on UC is a loan, unless you have a short term issue, it's no help at all. If you have a long term issue, you need to sell your house.

    Which is then a direct route to becoming homeless.

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