Does anyone here claim Universal Credit?

mxoagentjohnson · 13 Sep 2015 at 13:46

Going through the application in a moment as i've just moved in and wont be starting work for a while, even then it wont be a huge amount of hours. Has anyone been on Universal Credit since it rolled out?

I'm living in Darwen now so it's under Blackburn and Darwen, i assume i'll have to go into the condescending JobSeekers once i've done everything?

On average what did you get if any?

Destination · 13 Sep 2015 at 15:54

What are you hoping to claim?

CREATIVE!11 · 13 Sep 2015 at 16:03

You're jobless so JSA, housing benefit and Ctax.

spookywillow · 13 Sep 2015 at 16:04

http://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/

Hyburnate · 13 Sep 2015 at 16:04

CREATIVE!11 said:
You're jobless so JSA, housing benefit and Ctax.

This, you'll have to go to the Job Centre first (or whatever they call themself)

mxoagentjohnson · 13 Sep 2015 at 16:36

diamount said:
Bad news to bring up JSA here you jobless lout, get off your bum.

You try working down south on minimum wage 40 hours a week and afford even a one bedroom.

I got made homeless, i have no choice, i've payed in for 6 years so i have no shame using it for a couple months while i look for new work in a town 7 hours away from where i come from. You *****.

Hyburnate said:
This, you'll have to go to the Job Centre first (or whatever they call themself)

Universal is all of that rolled into one iirc, but you have to apply to it online. Doesnt explain much else afterwards.

CREATIVE!11 · 13 Sep 2015 at 16:45

You do realise he's trolling you right?

d_brennen · 13 Sep 2015 at 16:51

mxoagentjohnson said:
You try working down south on minimum wage 40 hours a week and afford even a one bedroom.

I got made homeless, i have no choice, i've payed in for 6 years so i have no shame using it for a couple months while i look for new work in a town 7 hours away from where i come from. You *****.

Good for you, there are always detractors. Remember, statistically a large proportion on this forum still cling to mummy's apron strings at home and have little knowledge of the real world.

Side note, I claimed JSA and HB for 2 months. Totally not worth the effort and hoop jumping, would never do it again. In London you can earn more than benefit fairly easily if you put your mind to it.

Chin up old chap

diamount · 13 Sep 2015 at 16:52

Yeah.. it was a joke of the many people who have enlisted in the anti-benefits brigade. They will also probably suggest you sell your computer hardware because you can do your jobsearch down the library, even if it's 50 miles away.

mxoagentjohnson · 13 Sep 2015 at 16:55

diamount said:
Yeah.. it was a joke of the many people who have enlisted in the anti-benefits brigade. They will also probably suggest you sell your computer hardware because you can do your jobsearch down the library, even if it's 50 miles away.

Sorry, but it's really hard to take things as a joke when there isnt a cheeky smiley at the end of it or something. Sarcasm doesnt come out well over text.

I already feel **** enough as is initially taking it, but after i got thrown out on my ass because the people i was staying with decided they'd rather have the room for someone else i've been in a frantic hurry to get somewhere with no guarentor and the hope a landlord would trust me, so i get pretty arsey when people feel i'm just gonna cheat the system

d_brennen said:
Good for you, there are always detractors. Remember, statistically a large proportion on this forum still cling to mummy's apron strings at home and have little knowledge of the real world.

Side note, I claimed JSA and HB for 2 months. Totally not worth the effort and hoop jumping, would never do it again. In London you can earn more than benefit fairly easily if you put your mind to it.

Chin up old chap

I appreciate the words. I dont want to be on it forever, just until i get stable income. I have my savings ready to furnish a new flat and pay off 12 months rent in advance if need be so id only have to survive on paying the bills and feeding myself (I barely eat anyway)

I've heard Universal Credit is easier to get onto and a faster way but i'm sitll worried they'll mess me around.

mattyprice4004 · 13 Sep 2015 at 17:01

I used to be of the 'get off your backside' persuasion, but now I see that the system is there to be used, and if you've paid in then really you have every right to claim.
I'm probably just bitter, as this year I got a scary tax bill...

Good luck with it all.

mxoagentjohnson · 13 Sep 2015 at 17:04

mattyprice4004 said:
I used to be of the 'get off your backside' persuasion, but now I see that the system is there to be used, and if you've paid in then really you have every right to claim.
I'm probably just bitter, as this year I got a scary tax bill...

Good luck with it all.

Last work year i was signed off work for 2 months after a fall. Came back to work started working again, wasnt paying much attention to my income as i was just glad to be working again. 5 months in i started looking properly at my paychecks, i had been put back on emergency tax and almost 800 pound in tax gone :eek:

what was even worse is even after the end of the tax year i ONLY just got that money back 4 weeks ago, it was a nice bonus, all of that went into paying off all the deposits and such for this new home.

diamount · 13 Sep 2015 at 17:05

mxoagentjohnson said:
Sorry, but it's really hard to take things as a joke when there isnt a cheeky smiley at the end of it or something. Sarcasm doesnt come out well over text.

I already feel **** enough as is initially taking it, but after i got thrown out on my ass because the people i was staying with decided they'd rather have the room for someone else i've been in a frantic hurry to get somewhere with no guarentor and the hope a landlord would trust me, so i get pretty arsey when people feel i'm just gonna cheat the system

I appreciate the words. I dont want to be on it forever, just until i get stable income. I have my savings ready to furnish a new flat and pay off 12 months rent in advance if need be so id only have to survive on paying the bills and feeding myself (I barely eat anyway)

I've heard Universal Credit is easier to get onto and a faster way but i'm sitll worried they'll mess me around.

Yeah, now that you mention it a smiley would a lot of context to a post in hindsight - I'm really sorry if you were offended, I was jobless for the better part of 2 years after being abused by the Work Program providers and employers who think it's acceptable not to pay you despite an honest days work.

Anyway, sounds like the UC is a lot simpler if everything is rolled into one. But knowing the government they would probably muck something up.

Eurofighter · 13 Sep 2015 at 17:08

I don't think all areas do universal credit yet, phone the job centre.

Best of luck finding a new job.

mxoagentjohnson · 13 Sep 2015 at 17:09

diamount said:
Yeah, now that you mention it a smiley would a lot of context to a post in hindsight - I'm really sorry if you were offended, I was jobless for the better part of 2 years after being abused by the Work Program providers and employers who think it's acceptable not to pay you despite an honest days work.

Anyway, sounds like the UC is a lot simpler if everything is rolled into one. But knowing the government they would probably muck something up.

This is my concern, theres always something they can say/do to screw you over.

It's ok, i overreacted too and i apologize. Easy to get up in arms and angry when you're in a mood

i do apologize.

From what i understand, it just rolls all of them into one thing and instead of weird split payments you get a payment every month, i have done some online entitlement systems, but as you know. This is only estimate and the computer is significantly friendlier than the plonkers you get at the jobcentre who seem to enjoy ruining your day/week every time.

This is what my entitlement is in theory, bare in mind i dont get full claim on Housing Benefits due to the fact im under 35, so i automatically get lumped into the Shared Housing rate as opposed to the full one, regardless of the fact i wont be sharing my home with anyone.

Destination · 13 Sep 2015 at 17:17

I suppose it depends on the area you live in, but on rent and council tax, for £3 a week, seems you could rent a three bedroom house around here to live in alone.
Does the system take into account previous work history, or previous national insurance contributions? (as an out of interest question, I know the German system does, does ours?)

mxoagentjohnson · 13 Sep 2015 at 17:18

Hikari Kisugi said:
I suppose it depends on the area you live in, but on rent and council tax, for £3 a week, seems you could rent a three bedroom house around here to live in alone.
Does the system take into account previous work history, or previous national insurance contributions? (as an out of interest question, I know the German system does, does ours?)

It asks a lot of questions, takes in what you earn currently from anything (So i dont get any income anymore) looks at how much savings you have (cutoff point is like, 6k+ then they pay you less, but after moving, furnishing and all sorts i'll be below 6k) and theres very specific things about it. Like age, health etc.

The place i'm renting now is 280 a month, living room, bedroom, kitchen/dining room and small bathroom! much cheaper than the 650 a month STUDIOS in my hometown

Colbaker · 13 Sep 2015 at 18:59

mxoagentjohnson said:
Sorry, but it's really hard to take things as a joke when there isnt a cheeky smiley at the end of it or something. Sarcasm doesnt come out well over text.

I already feel **** enough as is initially taking it, but after i got thrown out on my ass because the people i was staying with decided they'd rather have the room for someone else i've been in a frantic hurry to get somewhere with no guarentor and the hope a landlord would trust me, so i get pretty arsey when people feel i'm just gonna cheat the system

I appreciate the words. I dont want to be on it forever, just until i get stable income. I have my savings ready to furnish a new flat and pay off 12 months rent in advance if need be so id only have to survive on paying the bills and feeding myself (I barely eat anyway)

I've heard Universal Credit is easier to get onto and a faster way but i'm sitll worried they'll mess me around.

I think you need to tell them the amount of savings you have which unfortunately will negatively reflect the amount of benefits you get, depending on how much savings you have that is which I assume is large if you can pay 12 months rent and furnish a new flat.

mxoagentjohnson · 13 Sep 2015 at 19:44

Colbaker said:
I think you need to tell them the amount of savings you have which unfortunately will negatively reflect the amount of benefits you get, depending on how much savings you have that is which I assume is large if you can pay 12 months rent and furnish a new flat.

12 months rent would be 3000 something, but ill probably only do 6 months in advance as he said yes to that.

Well i have 7k savings, when i say furnish i just mean a new bed and sofas and a table. So i doubt i'll hit 1k with that.

And even after the expenses of moving, i will be around 4k. maybe less. maybe more.

CREATIVE!11 · 13 Sep 2015 at 19:56

mxoagentjohnson said:
12 months rent would be 3000 something, but ill probably only do 6 months in advance as he said yes to that.

Well i have 7k savings, when i say furnish i just mean a new bed and sofas and a table. So i doubt i'll hit 1k with that.

And even after the expenses of moving, i will be around 4k. maybe less. maybe more.

It's up to 12k savings for rent benefit. So you'll be well below.

JSA I've no idea but assume it'd be something similar?