Terms of Service

Last updated: 29th September 2026

Hello again! This page explains the rules of using ABCofUC. It’s a bit more formal than the rest of the site (it has to be), but I’ve tried to keep it in plain English. By using the forum, you’re agreeing to these terms, so please give them a read.

1. Who we are

ABC of UC is a community forum about UK benefits, run by me, auntiebiotics, as an independent run project]. We are not connected to the DWP, HMRC, or any government body. See our Disclaimer page for more on what the forum is and isn’t.

2. Who can join

  • You must be at least 16 years old to create an account.
  • The details you give when registering should be true and up to date.
  • You’re responsible for keeping your password safe and for anything done through your account. If you think someone else has got into it, please let me know straight away.
  • One account per person, please.

3. Being a good community member

This is a supportive space, and many people here are dealing with a lot. So please:

  • Be kind and respectful. Disagreements are fine, but personal attacks are not.
  • Don’t harass, bully, or threaten anyone.
  • Don’t post hate speech or discriminatory content, including anything targeting disability, race, religion, gender, sexuality, or age.
  • Don’t spam or advertise products, services, or paid advice without my permission.
  • Don’t pretend to be someone else, including moderators or professional advisers.
  • Don’t post anything illegal.
  • PLEASE READ THE COMMUNITY GUIDELINES HERE: Community Guidelines

4. Benefit fraud and unlawful activity

Please don’t post content that encourages, explains, or helps with making false claims or any other unlawful activity. Posts like this will be removed, and serious cases may be reported to the relevant authorities where the law requires it.

5. Protecting privacy

Forum posts can often be seen by other members, and sometimes by the public. Please don’t share your own or anyone else’s:

  • Full name or home address
  • National Insurance number
  • Bank details
  • Case or reference numbers
  • Unredacted copies of letters or forms

Please also don’t share other members’ private stories outside the forum. What’s shared here should stay here. For more on how I handle your data, see our Privacy.

6. Your content

  • You own what you write. By posting, you give [Forum Name] a non-exclusive, free licence to display it on the forum, so that the site can work as intended.
  • You’re responsible for what you post. Please only share things you have the right to share, and don’t copy other people’s work without permission.
  • Posts are opinions and experiences, not advice. Please read our Disclaimer page before relying on anything you see here.

7. Moderation

I’m currently running this forum on my own, so moderation may not always be instant. I reserve the right to:

  • Edit or remove any content that breaks these terms or that I feel is harmful or inappropriate
  • Give warnings, suspend accounts, or ban members who repeatedly or seriously break the rules
  • Close or remove accounts that are inactive for a long period

I’ll always try to be fair and, where possible, explain my decisions. If you think I’ve got something wrong, please contact me and I’ll take another look.

8. Reporting a problem

If you see a post that breaks the rules, makes you uncomfortable, or contains something you think shouldn’t be there, please use the report button or contact page. I’ll look into it as soon as I can.

9. Links to other websites

The forum may link to other sites, such as GOV.UK, Citizens Advice, or Turn2us. I don’t control these sites and can’t be responsible for their content. A link isn’t an endorsement.

10. No guarantees

I do my best to keep the forum running smoothly, but I can’t promise it will always be available, error-free, or free from interruptions. I may need to pause, change, or close parts of the site from time to time.

11. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent the law allows, [Forum Name] and I accept no responsibility for any loss or damage resulting from your use of the forum or from relying on anything posted here, including any effect on a benefit claim. Nothing in these terms limits any rights or liability that can’t legally be limited.

12. Closing your account

You can ask me to close your account at any time by getting in touch. I may also suspend or close accounts that break these terms. Content you’ve already posted may remain on the forum unless you ask for it to be removed, and I’ll deal with those requests in line with the [Privacy Policy].

13. Changes to these terms

I may update these terms from time to time. The date at the top shows when they were last changed. If there are any big changes, I’ll let members know. Carrying on using the forum after an update means you accept the new terms.

14. Governing law

These terms are governed by the law of [England and Wales / Scotland / Northern Ireland], and any disputes will be dealt with by the courts of that jurisdiction.

15. Get in touch

Questions about these terms? Just ask. You can reach me at contact

Thanks for being part of the community and helping to keep it a friendly, supportive place.

auntiebiotics
Founder and forum owner