A viral TikTok creator known as Millie has sparked debate after revealing she receives £4,000 a month from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through Universal Credit, yet still finds herself counting pennies within days.
In a video that has gained significant attention, Millie addressed her financial situation, stating: "UC gave me £4,000 a few days ago and I am back to counting pennies yet again." She expressed frustration with the system, questioning how policymakers expect people to survive on such amounts. "I don't know how these people high up can just expect people to live off the bare minimum because £4,000 a month just is not enough," she added.
However, Millie later clarified that her comment about counting pennies was not entirely serious. She explained: "But now that I have got you watching a little bit of my video, thank you, because that would mean that I've now got paid for you viewing. And no, I'm not being serious. I'm not actually counting pennies." She acknowledged that her posts are designed to provoke reactions, saying: "Because I know it winds people up, and I found the comments absolutely hilarious on videos like this."
Universal Credit Basics
Universal Credit is a benefit designed to support individuals on low incomes or those who are not in work. Eligibility also extends to people of working age who are unable to work due to illness or disability. The amount received depends on various factors, including age and relationship status.
For the 2026/27 period, the standard allowance for a single person under 25 is £338.58 per month, while those aged 25 and over receive £424.90. Couples both under 25 get £528.34, and couples where one or both are 25 or older receive £666.97.
Millie's Additional Plans
In her video, Millie also mentioned her ongoing efforts to fund a carpet for her home. "Now my carpet fund is slacking massively. For some reason TikTok wouldn't let me upload at all today, so I'm really hoping that this video will actually go up, but I guarantee that I'm going to get nowhere where I need to be for the carpet fund, and I'm gonna have to find the money elsewhere." She also referenced an Amazon wishlist she maintains, stating: "I'm just trying to get something together, I don't want to just be putting things on there for the sake of it. I want to actually genuinely need it."
Millie's comments have reignited discussions about the adequacy of Universal Credit payments and the role of social media in shaping perceptions of benefit claimants.
