Universal Credit Deduction of £600 Leaves Young Mum in Debt Due to Employer Error
A 21-year-old mother of four has been plunged into financial difficulty after the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) deducted £600 from her Universal Credit payment, a situation she claims was not her fault. Millie, who relies on the benefit to support her family, revealed that the loss has left her unable to pay bills and facing mounting debt.
Financial Strain and Ongoing Impact
Millie explained that the deduction occurred because her employer failed to report her wages in time, leading the DWP to adjust her payment. She stated, "Now that Universal Credit has taken £600 from me, I can’t afford to pay my bills. This means I’m going to be in debt with quite a lot of people, and it doesn’t just affect me this month—it will have an ongoing effect." She added that she has no way to recover the money, saying, "I’ve kind of just got to find it from somewhere, and that just isn’t possible."
How Universal Credit Deductions Work
Universal Credit can reduce payments if a debt is identified, with details visible on the claimant's statement. To check for deductions, users should sign into their online account, go to ‘Payments’, and look for the section labeled ‘What we take off – deductions’. Millie emphasized that the situation was unavoidable, noting, "I’ve lost that money from UC, and it was going to happen regardless. There wasn’t anything I could have done to change it." She described the financial fallout as a domino effect impacting all aspects of her life.
Community Support and Shared Experiences
In response to her story, many have expressed sympathy and shared similar struggles. One comment read, "Hope things get better for you, I really do," while another said, "Same thing happened to me last month; it’s been such a hard month, but keep strong." Others highlighted broader issues, with one noting, "So many are struggling," and another adding, "I know how you feel on this one." A final well-wisher urged, "Hope you get it sorted."
This case underscores the challenges faced by benefit claimants when administrative errors lead to significant financial penalties, sparking calls for greater support and transparency in the system.
