I mean, just who works in those offices at Universal Credit?? Seems their hearts are made of stone. Had a UC miscalculation due to “reported earnings”. This was not me at all- it was an error on their part and my monthly allowance was cut to almost half. No physical

person to speak to and the journal entry took over 3weeks to be addressed. No apology or explanation offered just that they will pay the difference on a certain date.

But this is not the only inconvenience caused, this miscalculation also affected my other benefits as they're determined by my universal credit and now I'm having letters everywhere through the post saying I'm not eligible for Council tax reduction for example and I have an overpayment that needs to be repaid asap. Not only is this grossly unfair but causes great distress and a decline in my physical and mental health. I am hypertensive and my blood pressure shot through the roof - all because of one error that no one is even taking accountability for.

The weather has been so nice this weekend, feels like summer already but of course a warm summer normally means a colder winter. I've not had my heating on since early march but my gas bill last month was still £100 it makes no sense. I'm dreading the year ahead.

Hi everyone we are having a great weather in Glasgow so nice and sunny, hope everyone is enjoying the weather too.

My son's end of Primary school trip cost £295 and on top of that I needed to buy swim gear as it’s a water park and extra trainers. It’s such a pity some of this isn’t subsidised. I just feel swamped with costs and I worry about my son going to secondary school as his grammar school uniform will be very expensive.

Hmmm, a lot on my mind, really struggling with my mental health. Trying everything to come out of this and hopefully at some point it will ease off.

I am sure lots of others struggle too but we are all afraid of being judged.

All most of us need at this time is a listening ear and A BIT of encouragement. Mental health struggles are real.

Even simple illnesses can set your budget back months when on such low incomes. Over Easter weekend I developed a nasty kidney infection and while I'm getting better now, at its peak it was either taxis at bank holiday prices or waiting up to 6-8 hours for an ambulance. Only to get to the hospital and be told off by the nurse for not coming in sooner cos I was apparently lucky I didn't go septic. With my disabilities and chronic pain issues, it's hard to differentiate an infection from a normal flare up, I'm in pain constantly. Wasn't till the fever and confusion set in that I realised the pain wasn't normal pains. And it's not like I could talk to a GP about the pains, they don't care about people like me and don't have the time to waste on someone which chronic pain issues. They'd not have flagged kidney infection either, they'd have just chalked it up to my chronic issues like I did, even if I had known to seek help before the bank holiday weekend.

As I was too unwell to wait for an ambulance, I had to use taxis. And that money had to come from somewhere, meaning that money came out of bill money meaning I'm now charged for a missed bill cos of this.

Before covid I'd have spare pennies for rainy day emergencies like this. But these days there are no spare pennies to save for emergencies anymore. There's barely enough to cover essentials as is. So this month is extra tight, but so is next month due to the missed payment fees. It feels so unfair. By circumstance we have to pay more for basics when we have less to spend.

Easter holidays seem to be lasting forever and I don't get paid until tomorrow 🙃.

It's my youngest son's 4th birthday in May and all he's asked for is to go and see the animals in the zoo. I've just looked at Chester zoo and they want £104 for 2 adults and a child. Knowsley safari park want almost £80, how are parents supposed to afford that along with a birthday present? It makes me feel utterly useless that I can't give him the only thing he's asked for.

There's absolutely no way I can take him on my own due to my struggles with Audhd and anxiety. So need another adult too. Even the local farms are now charging over 40 for a day ticket.

I'm literally looking around my house for anything of value I can sell to give him the birthday he deserves. Unfortunately I have nothing of value 😕

I'm really quite fuming. My local housing allowance is 475. My rent is 650. I had a meeting with Karl Turner, my local Labour MP. He said the lha is for people with council houses. He's wrong. I asked him why I can't get a house for 475 and he told me I could if I had a council house. But look at what I've found on the government website. It's nothing to do with council houses! So why has he lied? And where is this data? Because I don't believe it. No one can get a 2 bed house for 475 in our area, no one!!!! So why are we being scammed?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/understanding-local-housing-allowances-rates-broad-rental-market-areas#full-publication-update-history

I have just read the post from another participant saying how a couple of Easter eggs is now a luxury for many families. It is so true and not just Easter, but all celebrations or occasions are beyond the financial limits for those living on a low income. Since the pandemic which was followed by the cost of living crisis that many people seem to think is over prices of everyday goods and essentials have risen to a point that is now not possible for those living on a low income, this includes basic foods, toiletries and cleaning items before you even think about clothes and utility bills that is is not possible to live without. On top of this we now have a government that has made a decision to cut benefits and support for millions of people including the sick and disabled leaving even more low income families in the face of destitution. I myself have struggled for years as a single parent living in poverty, struggling to meet the daily needs of my family. I am now at a point where I am frightened and cautious about spending a single penny on anything that we could possibly do without due to fear of what is ahead if I lose any of the income I currently receive. Any cut or reduction in my disability payments will have a serious and lasting effect on the ability and the prospect of me being able to survive in a meaningful way. How has it been allowed to happen that in a modern world we are all encouraged to believe that we are equal, have free speech and human rights, but when it comes to those claiming benefits or those who are unable to work due to disability or ill health these rules do not count ?.

Hey everyone

So sad but will be okay

Feeling fed up.

A trait of autism I've been blessed with is hypermobility in my joints and I get injured often. This time I've torn my ligaments around my knee and can't walk. At the start of half term with 3 kids. Joy.

My car failed its mot on Monday and cost me 3 x the amount I'd accounted for so well into an overdraft I cant afford with no way of getting the kids out in the holidays is giving me anxiety. I really could do with not having to be up and down cooking and the ability to order the kids' food would be a god send but it's just not an option.

Exercise is my therapy and medicine but I can't do that and today is the last day of sun we're supposed to be getting 😪. Honestly it doesn't just rain does it?

Hey everyone

I'm very sad today lost a brother 😢