I was a teen mum & got benefits to have 2 more while staying at home – trolls say I’m ‘sponging’ & ‘abusing the system’
A MUM has been slammed after admitting to using Universal Credit to stay home with her kids instead of finding work.
Charlotte Ruler, from the UK, first became a mum at just 19 years old and decided she wouldn't enter the world of work.
Instead, the now mum-of-three relied on Universal Credit to keep her afloat.
Taking to social media, the now 26-year-old, showed an image of herself and her first daughter when she first became a teen mum.
She said: "19-year-old me was told I should have 'better standards' than claiming Universal Credit to stay home with my baby."
Despite the backlash she received, Charlotte was steadfast in becoming a stay-at-home mum
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Now with three children, she revealed she still thinks she made the right decision.
Charlotte added: "26-year-old me is SO glad I didn't listen!
"26-year-old me is purely grateful that I've been given the opportunity to spend this time with my children.
"I have the rest of my life to work full time, I only have these few years to spend raising my young children in their early years."
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However, it seemed not everyone agreed with the young mum's outlook on how to use the benefit system.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed working and paying for you! I brought your children up, not you, as I paid for everything!" wrote one furious viewer
Charlotte replied: "This is so funny. You think because you pay tax that means you’re single-handedly paying for/bringing up my children?
"My partner works full time and pays tax but that doesn’t count right?"
She also added: "People have to pay tax. Whether I work or not doesn’t change that! I’m eligible for it, so I’ll use it for now to enjoy raising my children."
The video shared by the mum went viral on her TikTok account @with over 92k views and 2,100 likes.
People were eager to share their thoughts.
Everything you need to know about Universal Credit
- What is Universal Credit? Everything you need to know including how to apply
- Universal Credit calculator: How much can I claim and how do I apply?
- Universal Credit login: How do I sign in to my online account?
- How much can I earn before Universal Credit is reduced and do I get a work allowance?
- What is a Universal Credit advance payment? How to apply and pay it back
- Are Universal Credit payments going up and how much more will I get?
- How to claim Universal Credit if you’re self-employed
- How many hours can I work on Universal Credit and will my payment be reduced?
- What is a Universal Credit budgeting advance and how much could I get?
- What is the Universal Credit housing element and how much of your rent does it pay?
One person wrote: "Yeah for one child… but to have 3 and continue relying on benefits is the epitome of abusing the system."
Another commented: “Benefits are not supposed to be a lifestyle choice, it’s supposed to help those who need it. You chose to have 2 more kids whilst sponging, it’s not a flex."
"Life’s great when someone else pays for it, eh?" penned a third.
Meanwhile, many took Charlotte's side on prioritising raising her children.
A fourth said: "What are these comments. God forbid a mother values being a mother and spending time with her children instead of labouring! Work will always be there! People are brainwashed."
"Being a mother is a job. It’s just unpaid so not respected, also people work who are on UC,” claimed a fifth.
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Someone else added: “I have not a single issue with this. Parenting is important work and should be paid."
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