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I was shamed because I get £3K Universal Credit on top of my salary – they said I should ‘feel bad’ but I barely get by
The Mumsnet post has sparked a fierce debate - so what do YOU think?
A WOMAN has revealed she was mum-shamed for receiving £3k in Universal Credit benefits on top of her salary.
According to the parent, the incident occurred when she had popped down to the local Children’s Centre and attended a Citizen’s Advice group that runs once a week.
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Here, on Mumsnet, some parents may help fellow parents if they’ve been in a similar situation and can offer the correct advice.
''On the table I was sitting on, one parent was trying to get her head around UC [Universal Credit] as she didn’t quite understand LHA [Local Housing Allowance] rates, how DLA [Disability Living Allowance] impacts UC and what elements she would be entitled to.''
Determined to offer a helping hand, the Mumsnet user then started speaking about her experience with the benefits, offering to log into her UC account ''if it was easier for her to look at the breakdown visually''.
''I also got her postcode to explain how the LHA rates work and etc.''
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At this point, however, another person in the room noticed what was going on, as the mum was suddenly met with a harsh remark.
''Another parent suddenly spoke up and said, ‘don’t you feel bad for claiming that much money?’,'' the parent wrote in the post.
Although the tone ''wasn’t argumentative or anything'', the duo had ''an interesting conversation'', which later made her reflect and think - ''are people like me supposed to feel bad when receiving a certain amount?''
The anonymous social media user also broke down the payments landing in her bank account:
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- £292 single person allowance
- £1,450 private rent
- £539 for two children
- £293 for two disabled children
- £589 childcare costs
- £189 carer.
With £216 deducted from her ''entitlement'' due to my wages (£771), this leaves the mum with £3,133 in UC.
I’m a stay at home mum and make up to £2.3k a week with my side hustle
''I receive two amounts of MRC [Medical Research Council] through DLA which is £580 all together,'' she added.
Whilst she admitted that it did seem ''like a whole lot of money'', the costs that come with raising one of her disabled children ''is through the roof due to their issues''.
According to the parent - whose second child is also disabled - the woman had also advised her to move to ''move to a more affordable area'' if she was struggling with the rent.
''I raised the point of Landlords purchasing properties as part of the Right to Buy scheme, charging extortionate rent which taxpayers then pay through UC.
''Surely, it’s more a problem that there isn’t affordable rental properties in many areas.''
The post soon sparked a fierce debate, as fellow Mumsnet users flocked to comments to share their thoughts.
Universal Credit
HERE'S everything to know about Universal Credit:
- What is Universal Credit? Everything you need to know including how to apply
- Universal Credit calculator: How much can I claim and how do I apply?
- Universal Credit login: How do I sign in to my online account?
- How much can I earn before Universal Credit is reduced and do I get a work allowance?
- What is a Universal Credit advance payment? How to apply and pay it back
- Are Universal Credit payments going up and how much more will I get?
- How to claim Universal Credit if you’re self-employed
- How many hours can I work on Universal Credit and will my payment be reduced?
- What is a Universal Credit budgeting advance and how much could I get?
- What is the Universal Credit housing element and how much of your rent does it pay?
One person was on the parent's side, writing: ''Don’t feel bad, I get a similar amount and I don’t feel bad.
''It’s the rent usually that makes the amount seem so high and that goes straight to the landlord!''
Another chimed in: ''I get similar to you. I don’t rent so I don’t get that part but get 2200 a month UC.
''I am a single parent with 2 disabled children (both on highest rate disability benefits) and I do work but can’t work more than part time, term time due to the children.''
''I mean you are only claiming what you are entitled to, so you shouldn't feel bad, but wow that's a lot of money! Life is expensive,'' is how a third felt about the situation.
Another user was gobsmacked by how much the parent was getting from Universal Credit.
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''I work full time and don’t even bring that home from my wage and I have two kids to support!
''The amount you get is crazy!''
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