A MOTHER-OF-TWO has been slammed for posting a ‘Universal Credit rant’ online.
Hannah, a 25-year-old who has two boys, a four-year-old and a two-year-old, described Universal Credit as a ‘bunch of a**holes’ after they cancelled her appointment.
But the single mum, who lives in a three bedroom house in the UK and is ‘counting pennies’ to afford her food shopping, was met with a barrage of abuse from nasty trolls, urging her to ‘get a job’ instead.
The young mother, who regularly posts content to TikTok and hasn’t shared details on whether or not she has a full-time job, took to social media and said: “Universal Credit are a bunch of a**holes to put it bluntly.”
Hannah then confessed that whilst she was waiting “patiently” for a phone call appointment with Universal Credit, she soon realised it was unexpectedly rearranged as a result of staff shortages.
However, Hannah was given a new date and time for the appointment, but discovered she would be unable to attend it due to having another appointment with her son.
The content creator claimed that she was told by Universal Credit that as a result of the staff shortages, she would not be able to change her rescheduled phone call.
To this, she filmed herself sitting in her car and admitted: “If I do not attend, it will be marked down as failure to attend and I will be sanctioned.
“So due to staff shortages, they can cancel without notice, but also due to staff shortages, they can’t reschedule my appointment that I now can’t attend.”
Unsure on how to proceed, Hannah claimed that she “can’t cancel” her son’s other appointment, which in her eyes is “more important” than her chat with Universal Credit.
Subsequently, she claimed that Universal Credit had put her “between a rock and a hard place.”
Hannah, who pays £1,650 a month for rent, then raged: “They’re already not paying me enough money to even pay my rent, never mind my bills, my food.”
Not only this, but Hannah fumed that Universal Credit are “not trying” to work with her and have “just said, we cannot reschedule your appointment”.
They’re already not paying me enough money to even pay my rent, never mind my bills, my food
Hannah
She concluded her angry video and swore: “So if Universal Credit are watching, which I know they f*****g won’t be, you’re a**holes, absolute f*****g a**holes.”
Social media users react
The short but fiery TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @hannah_thear, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it was shared just one week ago, but has quickly amassed 271,500 views.
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.
Social media users were stunned by Hannah’s claims and nasty keyboard warriors flocked to the comments, eager to share their advice.
One person sarcastically said: “Must be hard waiting around for free money.”
What can you do? Get a job and not have this issue… simple…
TikTok user
Another added: “If it’s so bad you can always try getting a job!”
A third commented: “Due to staff shortages?. Suggest you get a job there then. Problem solved.”
Meanwhile, someone else recommended: “What can you do? Get a job and not have this issue… simple…”
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.
However, other parents were keen to share their support for Hannah.
One mother wrote: “Hope you get it sorted hun.”
A second chimed in: “I had this! Call them and speak to someone on the phone. They changed mine.”
At the same time, another beamed: “Hope it all works out for you.”
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