A SINGLE mother has candidly opened up on the reality of being a Universal Credits claimant.
Kelly, a brunette beauty from the UK who works whilst claiming benefits, revealed that she “hates” receiving Universal Credit.
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She explained that not only does she get judged all the time for it, but she is still struggling financially too.
And that’s not all, as the content creator also acknowledged that she often gets sanctioned “for no reason.”
Posting on social media, Kelly, who is eager to “find a way to grow and move forward,” voiced her frustrations with the benefits system, leaving many open-mouthed.
She said: “Universal Credit is not as simple as it sounds – now, if you’re just like me, [a] single mum claiming Universal Credit and working, all it does is give you stress, anxiety and depression.
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“There’s always payment issues, you get sanctioned for no reason, you don’t get a lot anyway for the trouble it causes you.”
The mother also recognised: “There is stigma attached to it – people judge you and think the worst of you.”
Kelly even accused the system of “wasting so much time” and claimed “it is not fit for purpose.”
Not only does she “hate” that she is “stuck in a cycle,” but Kelly, who is desperate to “become financially independent,” voiced that she is “still struggling.”
She continued: “The system is there to help and support you in a time of need, I get it, I have needed it, but the whole stigma and the way it makes me feel, I don’t like it, I’m still struggling, I am still financially worse off.”
Fed up of feeling “trapped,” Kelly also claimed that the Universal Credit system involves “invasive reviews and checks.”
As a result, Kelly is now eager to “do better” and is on a mission “to make some more money” and “become financially free,” which she hopes to do through TikTok’s Creator Fund.
“I’m just so sick of being trapped in this cycle of feeling this way – one day I’m gonna come off of it and they will not ruin my life anymore,” she concluded.
Am I entitled to Universal Credit?
According to the GOV website, if you’re on a low income or need help with your living costs, then you could be entitled to Universal Credit.
To claim, you must live in the UK, be aged 18 or over (with some exceptions if you’re 15 to 17), be under State Pension age, and have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments.
Other circumstances are if you are out of work, or unable to work, for example because of a health condition.
Social media users react
Kelly’s TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @miss_kelly_c, has clearly left many totally stunned, as it has quickly racked up 164,800 views, 3,072 likes and 585 comments.
Many other Universal Credit claimants could relate to Kelly and quickly flocked to the comments, eager to voice similar frustrations.
I’m still struggling, I am still financially worse off
Kelly
One person said: “I claimed UC whilst working, I found it a bit of a trap – if I worked more hours my UC was reduced more than what extra money I earned so it wasn’t worth it.”
Another added: “I’ve been on UC for two months. I hate it so much and so much stress.”
Will I be better off on Universal Credit?
Around 1.4million will be better off on Universal Credit, the government calculates.
A further 300,000 will see no change in payments, while around 900,000 will be worse off under Universal Credit.
Of these, around 600,000 are expected to get top-up payments if they move under managed migration, so they don’t lose out on cash immediately.
The majority of those – around 400,000 – are claiming Employment Support Allowance (ESA).
Around 100,000 are on tax credits while fewer than 50,000 each on other legacy benefits are expected to be affected.
Examples of those who may be entitled to less on Universal Credit according to the government include:
- Households getting ESA who and the Severe Disability Premium and Enhanced Disability Premium
- Households with the lower disabled child addition on legacy benefits
- Self-employed households who are subject to the Minimum Income Floor after the 12 month grace period has ended
- In-work households that worked a specific number of hours (eg lone
- parent working 16 hours claiming Working Tax Credits
- Households receiving tax credits with savings of more than £6,000 (and up to £16,000)
- But they could miss out on any future increase to benefits and see payments frozen.
Those who move voluntarily and are worse off won’t get these top-up payments and could lose cash.
Those who miss the deadline and later make a claim may also not get this transitional protection either.
The clock starts ticking on the three-month countdown from the date of the first letter, and reminders are sent via post and text message.
There is a one-month grace period after this, during which any claim to Universal Credit is backdated and transitional protection can still be awarded.
The most recent data from the DWP shows 61,130 individuals have made a claim for UC, and 39,920 awarded transitional protection.
Another 40,540 are still in the process of moving to the new benefit.
A third commented: “I wish I could have a job that makes me financially independent, I know exactly what you are talking about.”
Meanwhile, someone else wrote: “I am on Universal Credit. I do work but I’ve got to get more hours.
“They won’t leave me alone until I get more hours. I have got two children as well.”
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