A MOTHER-OF-THREE has revealed that she gets more than £2,400 a month in Universal Credit but is still skint.
Millie, a 21-year-old mum-of-three, who is ‘attempting to budget better & save more’, explained that her nursery fees are over £2,000 a month alone.
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Not only this, but after her bills, she is left with just £193.55 for four weeks with three kids.
But nasty trolls hit Millie with a barrage of cruel abuse, with many stunned at her earnings, branding her a ‘joke’ and telling her to ‘budget better’.
It came after the young woman, who is from the UK, has a job and also makes “a little bit of money” from her TikTok videos via the Creator Fund, took to social media to share her situation.
Millie, who is eligible for Universal Credit, which is given to UK residents with a low income or who need help with their living costs, as well as child benefits, uploaded her short clip with the caption ‘Seeing all these numbers written down is CRAZY. Everything is so expensive and yes I have cut down on everything we don’t need!’
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The content creator, who previously revealed that haters called her a “benefits scrounger”, explained that she got paid £2,458.50 by Universal Credit, which she received on top of her wages and child benefit.
She then said: “So my total bills came to £986.95, this doesn’t include electric, I pay that as I go, and then nursery for the three kids was £2,069.60, which isn’t as bad as it was last month actually, but it’s still quite a bit.
“And when you think, that’s nearly my whole UC just gone, which is why I was skint again this month.”
Revealing all on her outgoings, Millie continued: “So the total for bills and nursery was £3,056.55 – all of my income, including the last month of my maternity pay and child benefit, came to £3,250.10 and the total outgoings with £3,056.55, which left me with £193.55 for four weeks with three kids.
“So here’s a little heads up to everyone that thinks benefit life is the cushty life, it isn’t.”
Millie also claimed that her wages “weren’t as much” as they usually are as it was her last month of maternity pay.
As a result, she stressed that things “all just went a little bit downhill”.
Not only this, but Millie also claimed that “we literally shouldn’t be struggling the way that we are”.
That’s nearly my whole UC just gone, which is why I was skint again this month
Millie
She also recognised: “I feel like there’s quite a lot of other people in the same situation, but they just don’t want to talk about it because people are so judgy when it comes to money and where you spend it.”
Social media users fume
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @millie.2103, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 456,900 views, 4,271 likes and 361 comments in just 24 hours.
But social media users were left gobsmacked by Millie’s monthly income and many who work full-time claimed that they receive far less in wages alone.
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.
One person said: “Far more than what I earn in a month, full time ICU staff nurse looking after critically ill people. Really disheartening.”
Another added: “More than my full time working wage! Joke.”
I’m 20 years working and I get less. How? How is this fair?
TikTok user
A third commented: “Still more than what we are left with, I work part time, partner works full, we pay nursery fees and get no help.”
Not only this, but someone else chimed in and wrote: “More than me and I work full time. budget your money better.”
Meanwhile, someone else remarked: “I’m 20 years working and I get less. How? How is this fair?”
To this, Millie clapped back: “No idea, have it out with the government.”
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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.
