A SINGLE mum has shared a video expressing her thoughts on the Jobcentre system and explaining why she believes it is “so outdated.”
Meg took to TikTok to share “five ridiculous things” that she claims the Jobcentre has asked her to do as a single mum.
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She posted the video on her account ‘itsamamaslifeforme_’ and spoke to her 10.1k followers about her experience claiming Universal Credit.
To apply for Universal Credit, you typically apply online through the GOV.UK website, and if that isn’t possible, people can call their helpline or visit their local Jobcentre.
The system involves creating an completing a to-do list, and providing details, including financial information and housing details.
It also aims to help people find and maintain employment.
READ MORE ON UNIVERSAL CREDIT
Meg, who claims that she is currently unable to work, admitted that while she is “grateful” to be able to claim the money, which is provided to help with living costs, the Jobcentre asks her to do “such silly things.”
First off, Meg claimed that she has been asked if she could work night shifts, as it would mean her “toddler wouldn’t notice” that she was gone “because he’ll be asleep,” but that isn’t possible as she is a single mum.
She then explained that her toddler’s nursery only offers mornings or afternoons, to which she claimed their solution was to do an apprenticeship at a college “an hour away.”
Meg explained that they suggested her toddler join the morning nursery, which means she can “get a bus back with him for an hour to his afternoon nursery, go back to the apprenticeship and then go back to pick him up.”
She adds: “Yeah, because that makes perfect sense.”
Her third point, which she claims Universal Credit “don’t note down” on her file, is that her dad has passed away.
Meg adds: “So every single time I go, I get asked if he can babysit him.”
The single mum also claimed that they stated to her that a new childminder had posted anonymously on Facebook to announce their page.
Meg refuses to send her son to someone “who can’t even post their name on Facebook.”
She finishes the video by explaining that they suggest she spends 30 hours a week job searching, but Meg states that there “aren’t even that many jobs out there.”
I’m applying to jobs and doing courses to make me more employable
Meg
Meg then asks: “How do I do that when he’s only at nursery for 15 hours a week?”
After one day of the video being uploaded to her account, Meg received 95,000 views and 510 comments with mixed opinions.
One person commented: “They asked me when I can leave my daughter home alone too, she is six, the silly questions are unreal!”
Meg replied: “Yet if someone reported you they’d say you’re lying if you said the Jobcentre told you to.”
What to do if you have problems claiming Universal Credit
IF you’re experiencing trouble applying for your Universal Credit, or the payments just don’t cover costs, here are your options:
- Apply for an advance – Claimants are able to get some cash within five days rather than waiting weeks for their first payment. But it’s a loan which means the repayments will be automatically deducted from your future Universal Credit payout.
- Alternative Payment Arrangements – If you’re falling behind on rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an APA which will get your payment sent directly to your landlord. You might also be able to change your payments to get them more frequently, or you can split the payments if you’re part of a couple.
- Budgeting Advance – You may be able to get help from the Government for emergency household costs of up to £348 if you’re single, £464 if you’re part of a couple or £812 if you have children. These are only in cases like your cooker breaking down or for help getting a job. You’ll have to repay the advance through your regular Universal Credit payments. You’ll still have to repay the loan, even if you stop claiming for Universal Credit.
- Cut your Council Tax – You might be able to get a discount on your Council Tax by applying for a Council Tax Reduction. Alternatively, you might be entitled to Discretionary Housing Payments to help cover your rent.
- Foodbanks – If you’re really hard up and struggling to buy food and toiletries, you can find your local foodbank who will provide you with help for free. You can find your nearest one on the Trussell Trust website.
A second sympathised with Meg, explaining that the “pressure they put on” single mums is “wild.”
But a third said: “Or get a working from home job and stop making excuses and stop claiming benefits you don’t need.”
However, Meg said: “I’m applying to jobs and doing courses to make me more employable and would actually love to be able to get off benefits.”
Everything you need to know about Universal Credit
