Alby K
What aspects of Universal Credit should be changed so that it supports people on low incomes better?If I could make one change to improve Universal Credit, it would be removing the five-week wait for the first payment.
That delay pushes people into crisis at the exact moment they’re most vulnerable. Many have no choice but to take an advance, which then leads to deductions and deepens financial pressure in the months that follow. This doesn’t support people — it puts them in debt before they’ve even begun.
In addition, the rate of Universal Credit urgently needs to reflect the current cost of living. With prices rising for essentials like food, housing, and energy, the current payments are simply not enough to live on. People are being forced to make impossible choices, and it’s having a serious impact on mental health.
The constant worry about how to pay bills, feed your family, or just stay afloat takes a toll. It increases anxiety, stress, and depression, and makes it harder to focus on things like work, health, or family life.
Universal Credit is supposed to be a safety net — but right now, it’s adding to people’s struggles. Removing the five-week wait and increasing the rate would go a long way toward restoring dignity, stability, and hope.