Why arent benefits enough?

ydna

This isn’t to sound ungrateful as I know someone will shoot back with comparing us to other countries, but why aren’t benefits enough to support the cost of living? 

How is anyone able to cope on the amount provided? 

£342 a month to live off.

£130 goes to topping up my rent, £66 to pay back an “advance”.

Leaves me with £146 a month before I start. And apparently in September it’s going to down a further £80? What the actual? So I’m supposed to live off £66 a month for all my bills and so on? AND keep my Internet and phone going so I can sign into my ‘online journal’.

Does anyone here actually manage it? £66 a month? 

MarkM88

Benefits weren’t really designed to live off in the first place and often not meant for long term use. 

If you have a health condition and/or disability, have you considered declaring those to receive a work capability assessment which can lead to additional benefits paid if awarded? 

There is also PIP which again can provide additional money if you feel your daily living and mobility are impacted?

janer1967

It all depends on knowing exactly what you can claim for and your circumstances as mark mentions above their are additional benefits if you have long term medical conditions 

Have you tried using a benefits calculator to make sure you are getting all you are entitled to 

Also the advance payback won't be helping you 

Ross_Alumni

Hello @ydna and welcome to the community. 

Have you considered using a benefits calculator to check what you might be entitled to? Just in case you aren't getting everything that you could.

ydna

I think I’ve derailed my own discussion by saying my situation as this is more about benefits in general.

I get your point about short term rather than long term @MarkN88 but shouldn’t they still cover basic costs of living? £256 is the monthly amount without COVID increase. 

Does anyone here live on just £256 a month? And if so, can you tell me how or show me your budget? As my numbers don’t add up.

As for my situation; I had a stroke in November and have been signed off work. I’m working with physiotherapists and hope to improve but right now I can’t work and have a carer come in twice a day. 

I am claiming everything I’m entitled to, that is just the amount benefits are.

Work capability scored me lcw so no extra money and PIP I got 6 points daily and I think 4 points mobility. 

But back to my original question, why is the LHA so low? 

Why are benefits not enough to cover basic necessities in life.

I’m still expected to pay £12 towards my council tax. 

So again I ask, does anyone here think they’d be able to cover their basic costs of living for £256 a month? Honestly? What about if you’re having to top up £130 for your rent out of that and pay £12 council tax?

ydna

Nobody else find it  hard?? I thought many would be finding the amount difficult but it doesn’t seem that way from reactions here.

From tv shows and media I always thought those on benefits had luxury lives but being on this side it’s very different. 

woodbine

We have lived off benefits for over 20 years, due to ill health, it's not been easy but not impossible either.
The problem is for people who live off basic benefits i.e no PIP etc, for many benefit rates were frozen for a number of years.

Tori_Scope

I think many people do struggle with their finances @ydna, and have to budget carefully. It seems as though our users were just trying to give you some practical advice on ensuring you're accessing everything you're entitled to and so on. I can see you've started a separate thread on budgeting, which is a good idea  

erin2490

@ydna Until recentally and after a year of fighting for benefits I am entitled too. due to mental health issues and universal credit not listening to me.
I was in the same boat, I couldn't even afford food to last me the whole month, ran out of electric.. literally had nothing (which actually made my mental health even worse)
So can totally relate, if your on benefits surely a person should be able to afford food to last the month.... And be able to pay basic bills like water and eletric
 
I have worked my whole life up until I became poorly mentally and could no longer work, for me to go onto benefits... While trying to get the help I needed to get better. Only to find myself even worse.... If I wanted to get better I had to go to appointments and getting to appointment cost money. Money I didn't have to spend, so I just became more isolated and anxious.

    

fluffycat

As other said ‘benefits calculator’

can you get advance reductions reduced ?

charity grants if need anything for the home (based on area / low income or previous occupation possibilities etc.) 

woodbine

One thing that possibly would solve this issue would be the introduction of universal benefits (i.e everybody over 18 gets £x).
It's been trialled in a number of countries, maybe one day here? you never know.

pollyanna1052

Can you access food banks?

[Deleted User]

£130 goes to topping up my rent

That's the problem right there. Your landlord is charging extortionate rents that exceed the Local Housing Allowance, so Housing Benefit doesn't cover the full rent.

Lou67

@ynad Just wanted to say you can apply to your council for help from the Discretionary fund to help with the rent you have to pay.