JOBSWORTH
I’m on Universal Credit & it’s tough surviving – I even lost £600 due to my hubby deciding to get a job, it’s impossible
She's trying to prevent her credit card bills from spiralling out of control
WITH the cost of living crisis squeezing everyone’s finances, one mum is questioning how long it will take to see improvement in her own situation.
Melissa Kerrighen, 29, who has a five-year-old daughter, works and is on Universal Credit but is struggling to make ends meet.
3
Universal Credit is a welfare scheme that replaces six other benefits with a single monthly payment for those who are out of work or on a low income.
Melissa, who works as a sewing machinist making saddles, is now resorting to different money-saving methods in an effort to stay afloat.
Taking to her TikTok page , Melissa shared a video with her 14.7k followers, detailing her current struggles.
She is currently budgeting £50 for the month and explained that before she started keeping track of her spending, she would end up with no money left in her account by the month’s end.
READ MORE ON UNIVERSAL CREDIT
“I was paying the minimum amount on my credit card, which was slowly going down because half of the payment I made would be eaten up by interest,” she explains.
Melissa would only manage to save around £40 a month.
She continues: “With life at the minute, and with bills constantly going up, it’s always one thing after the other, isn’t it?
“Trying to manage your finances on a low income is hard.
Most read in Fabulous
“It’s not just hard on a financial level, it’s hard mentally.
“And all those odd spends throughout the month that you just don’t seem to notice.”
I'm a mum-of-2 on UC & fed up with people calling me a scrounger - yes I've got a £1.5k pram, I can have nice things too
This is why Melissa has started tracking her spending, recognising that “no one else was going to change” her financial situation.
In March, Melissa lost £600 a month from Universal Credit after her partner, a workshop manager, started a full-time job.
She says: “That isn’t easy to absorb. But even though I’m on a part-time wage, I still have the same amount of bills to pay. It doesn’t change, does it?”
Melissa goes on to ask: “If you’re on Universal Credit, are you managing to make ends meet right now?”
She revealed that on day 13 of her budgeting, she had £21.99 left in the pot for the rest of the month.
3
3
Her video gained 4,820 views, with many people commenting to share their thoughts and experiences, some in similar situations.
One wrote: “My partner works and we claim UC (Universal Credit). [We’re] struggling atm, it’s because food and bills are so expensive.”
A second added: “I’m disabled and on UC, have to say I’m struggling.
“I’m really trying to manage my finances but every time I think I know what’s happening, something major happens.”
Whilst a third said: “I’m really struggling and food is so expensive these days.”
And a fourth shared: “My partner works and I claim UC.
Read More on The Sun
“It’s really hard, especially this year as the kids are going on a school trip and we booked a summer holiday.
"I wish we hadn’t as I can’t physically save any more.”
Everything you need 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?
Topics