A YOUNG mum has revealed that she gets almost £3,000 a month in Universal Credit, but is left with just £25 after her bills and nursery costs.
Millie, a 21-year-old mum-of-three who is ‘attempting to budget better and save more’, explained that her nursery fees cost her almost £2,000 a month alone.
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Not only this, but her rent and bills amount to nearly £1,000.
As a result of her monthly outgoings, the young woman, who is now pregnant with baby number four, due in September 2025, is often left “skint” just days after receiving her benefits.
The young woman, who is from the UK, has a job and also makes "a little bit of money" from her TikTok videos via the Creator Fund, took to social media to share her situation, leaving many totally stunned.
Millie, who is eligible for Universal Credit, which is given to UK residents with a low income or those who need help with their living costs, as well as child benefits, claimed that people think she is “rolling in the money”, but was eager to share the reality of her life.
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In a short clip which saw her doing laundry, Millie revealed: “Universal Credit gave me £2,917 this month and I just wanted to do a little breakdown of where this all went and how much I had left over after paying everything.”
Millie explained that as well as spending £910 on rent, gas, council tax and “all that lovely stuff”, she also has huge nursery costs.
The content creator, who previously revealed that haters called her a “benefits scrounger”, added: “The kids’ nursery came to £1,979, which left me with about £25.
“So, yeah, that did cover all the bills and a roof over our head, but if I didn't work and if child benefit wasn't a thing, then there's no way that you'd be able to feed three kids - four people, including me - on £25 for a whole month - literally just impossible.”
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Millie also continued: “So many people see the overall figure of how much people get from benefits, but the reality of it is it doesn't go far at all - you literally just have to have the bare minimum, which I know that is what it's for, whatever, but there's still no extra.
“I know there's so many people that will say, you get to just stay at home and do nothing, blah, blah, blah - really?”
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The TikTok clip, which was posted just 21 hours ago under the username @millie.2103, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 186,500 views, 1,629 likes and 23 comments.
Social media users were left gobsmacked by Millie’s claims and many eagerly raced to the comments to share their thoughts on her situation.
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.
One person said: “I'd cry paying that in childcare fees. At least you can hold your head high and say you're working, most wouldn't.”
Another added: “I'm lucky to get £300 a month. I'm homeless and have a baby and I've been in the Army. Nice one Britain.”
In response, Millie snapped back and wrote: “I’ll say the same to you as what’s said to me - ‘should’ve thought about that before you had a baby’.”
There's no way that you'd be able to feed three kids - four people, including me - on £25 for a whole month - literally just impossible
Millie, 21
A third commented: “You can't win, you get told not to send kids to nursery and work less but if you did you'd get moaned at.”
Whilst someone else asked: “If your wages aren’t more than £2k why send the kids to nursery?”
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To this, Millie replied: “Because it’s good for them and technically I hardly pay the fees because UC give me 85% back towards the following month. I just top it up if needed.”
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How much is child benefit worth?
THERE are two child benefit rates, one for the eldest child and another for younger children.
- You get £21.15 per week for your eldest or only child (£1099.80 a year)
- You get £14 for each of your other children (£728 per year, per child)
- You get the money for each child under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training)
- If families split up, how much you'll get for each child depends on how you claim.
- If you have 2 children and one stays with you and the other stays with your ex-partner, you’ll both get £21.15 a week for each child.
- If one parent claims for all the children, you get £21.15 for the eldest and £14 for each younger child.
- Only one household can claim for each child
