A parent has expressed distress over her son’s financial struggles, as he receives less than £500 a month from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The son, aged 19, claims £346 in Carers Allowance and £110 in Universal Credit, but these amounts are insufficient to cover basic living costs. After paying bills, he often has only £30 left for food, relying on cheap staples like ramen and pasta.
Full-time caring prevents employment
The parent explained that her son cannot seek work because caring for her is a round-the-clock responsibility. In a Reddit post titled ‘How are people supposed to live on £500 a month?’, she wrote: “My son is my carer. He gets £346 carers allowance and £110 UC, so not even £500. He has bills to pay and often only has £30 a month for food. He lives on ramen or pasta and mayo or a different sauce. Seriously, how do they expect people to live on so little? Is there anything else he can claim? He can’t get a job as looking after me is a 24/7 job itself. He’s only 19. I honestly don’t know what to do at this point to help him.”
Reddit users suggest benefit checks and support
Other Reddit users responded with advice. One recommended using free benefits checkers like Entitled To to ensure they are claiming all eligible support. Another suggested requesting a care needs assessment to see if council carers could provide respite, allowing the son to work part-time. A third user advised reducing bills to essentials and applying for discounts on council tax, water rates, and energy bills through schemes like Octo Assist from Octopus Energy. Social tariffs for broadband and phone were also mentioned, along with the possibility of using food banks. Another commenter warned about the difficulty of escaping the benefits cycle once stuck.
Seeking further assistance
The parent is urged to contact Citizens Advice Bureau for additional guidance. Some users emphasized that even a few hours of external care per week could enable the son to take on a part-time job, improving his financial situation and future prospects.
