A 21-YEAR-OLD has shared an insight into the reality of life on benefits.
Not only does Abigail, a single mother from the UK, spend her Universal Credit money on manicures, but she also wastes entire days in bed too.
Posting on social media, the content creator shared a series of snaps from a typical week in her life, leaving many gobsmacked.
Alongside a selfie and a kiss emoji, the red-haired youngster wrote: “Spend a week with me as an unemployed 21-year-old.”
To kick off her week, the young mother shared a snap of her in bed as she watched TV.
Abigail held up a peace sign as she lounged in bed alongside her vape and confirmed that for the entire day on Monday, she “stayed in bed.”
Then, on Tuesday, Abigail splashed cash and “got a new tattoo.”
The mother already has inkings but added a new one to her collection, to commemorate her nan and grandad.
After this, on Wednesday, Abigail spent time doing some self-care activities.
Alongside a snap of her covered in hair dye, she explained: “Wednesday: dyed my hair and [did] a Colour by Number.”
After finishing off her colouring, Abigail’s beauty routine continued, as on Thursday, the mother got her nails done.
The youngster shared a snap of her autumnal acrylic manicure, which saw some of her nails covered in luxurious gold leaf.
But following this, on Friday, Abigail didn’t bother leaving the house.
Instead, she confirmed: “Stayed at home and [did] a Colour by Number.”
Getting candid on her unemployment, Abigail acknowledged: “I’m a single mum doing it on my own – I simply just can’t work atm.”
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 react
But Abigail’s TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @unkown.abigail15, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 220,500 views in just two days.
Not only this, but the short video has also amassed 1,717 likes and 590 comments.
Social media users were stunned by Abigail’s week – in particular, by her ability to spend money on getting her nails done.
The UK benefits system summed up
TikTok user
One person said: “I work full time and can’t afford any of that.”
To this, Abigail responded and wrote: “Ok and everyone’s situation is different.”
Another added: “All paid for by Universal Credit.”
Will I be better off on Universal Credit?
Around 1.4million will be better off on Universal Credit, the government calculates.
A further 300,000 will see no change in payments, while around 900,000 will be worse off under Universal Credit.
Of these, around 600,000 are expected to get top-up payments if they move under managed migration, so they don’t lose out on cash immediately.
The majority of those – around 400,000 – are claiming Employment Support Allowance (ESA).
Around 100,000 are on tax credits while fewer than 50,000 each on other legacy benefits are expected to be affected.
Examples of those who may be entitled to less on Universal Credit according to the government include:
- Households getting ESA who and the Severe Disability Premium and Enhanced Disability Premium
- Households with the lower disabled child addition on legacy benefits
- Self-employed households who are subject to the Minimum Income Floor after the 12 month grace period has ended
- In-work households that worked a specific number of hours (eg lone
- parent working 16 hours claiming Working Tax Credits
- Households receiving tax credits with savings of more than £6,000 (and up to £16,000)
- But they could miss out on any future increase to benefits and see payments frozen.
Those who move voluntarily and are worse off won’t get these top-up payments and could lose cash.
Those who miss the deadline and later make a claim may also not get this transitional protection either.
The clock starts ticking on the three-month countdown from the date of the first letter, and reminders are sent via post and text message.
There is a one-month grace period after this, during which any claim to Universal Credit is backdated and transitional protection can still be awarded.
The most recent data from the DWP shows 61,130 individuals have made a claim for UC, and 39,920 awarded transitional protection.
Another 40,540 are still in the process of moving to the new benefit.
A third commented: “Baffles me how unemployed people can afford to get their nails done.”
Someone else chimed in: “At 21 you should be in full time employment. There’s literally no reason for you not to be.”
Meanwhile, one user wrote: “The UK benefits system summed up.”
I’m a single mum doing it on my own – I simply just can’t work atm
Abigail
However, at the same time, others urged Abigail to “ignore the haters.”
One user beamed: “Ignore most people in these comments lovely.
“I know how hard life can be as a young mum and you are doing your best for your little boy and yourself.”
Whilst a second gushed: “Ignore the haters. They’re just jealous, that’s all it is.”
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