To be scared of getting a job in case I'm worse off?

[BenefitScrounger]

NC and prepared for a flaming.

I've been claiming JSA for over two years now and am on the Work Programme. I have no qualifications and all I could get (I think) is a minimum wage job. I have been lying about my attempts to get work because I think I am better off out of work.

At the moment I get full housing benefit plus council tax, free dental care/prescriptions (if I need them) and £71 a week to live on. My bills aren't covered obviously, but they're not huge, and I have lots of free time to indulge hobbies etc.. I don't feel the need to buy stuff very often as I'm not into fashion/beauty and I eat cheaply. I can afford to eat out once a week with a TasteCard. The only thing I miss is holidays abroad but I'm not sure I would be able to afford them if I got a job anyway.

If I got a full time minimum wage job, would I be worse off? Just thinking of travel expenses, student loan repayment and time lost - not sure if I would still get any council tax benefit?

Has anyone had experience of this? By the way, I'm childless and live alone.

[fortoday]

if you're childless and live alone then why should the tax payer be happy with paying with your life style so you can 'indluge in hobbies' sorry but you are going to get so flamed on here

[squeakytoy]

have you even tried looking for work.. you can do more than one job you know... plenty of other people manage to do it

[fortoday]

think this is a deliberate wind up- wish id not given you the satisfaction of a response!

[ENormaSnob]

Your name change suits you.

[NellyJob]

You can go to the jobcentre and they make an appointment for you to see a back to work advisor who will do a back to work calculation for you - oh no I see you don't have children - in that case you have no excuse....

[fortoday]

i didn't even look at the name ha ha! having a definite dumb day!

[BenefitScrounger]

No, am genuinely curious if I'd be worse off in work than out of it.

[puds11]

[WitchityBroom]

How can you have no qualifications and a student loan?

[NellyJob]

well don't ask mumsnet, ask the jobcentre......

[coffeeslave]

Seconding WitchityBroom - no qualifications but a student loan? How?!

[blueraincoat]

witchity I thought this too, have decided a wind up.

[BenefitScrounger]

I didn't complete my degree.

I am genuine. I wouldn't mind working if it would benefit me or the employers. But I can't see how it would. Someone convince me?

[BenefitScrounger]

Ask the jobcentre? Ha ha. They're mostly ill-informed and/or generally clueless.

[LaurieFairyCake]

There are always going to be people who are able to manage on minimum benefits and are happy with their life the way it is.

Would you be happy with this long term? How will you feel when you are eventually forced to take a job you don't want?

I think it also depends on your age, if you want a home and family in the future then you're going to have to build on your skills so you can provide for them and model participation in society.

The other thing you need to consider is your 'contract' with society - in what way do you contribute to society?

I dont judge you btw, I have a few very hippy friends who take little from society and live communally but give a lot back in community work. I think this is valuable.

[TequilaMockinBird]

YANBU, you just stay at home all day, doing your 'hobbies' and then eating out in restaurants whilst I and many other hard-working taxpayers work all hours god sends to pay for it.

God forbid you'd have to pay your own council tax or pay back your student loan

[coffeeslave]

If you didn't complete your degree then you must still have qualifications, e.g. a BTEC or A-levels.

[issey6cats]

im on my own due to marriage break down have just returned to work and though financially not much better off have the pride of paying my own bills, knowing the money i take out of the bank is mine i earned it , i struggled to live on the £71 a week as i had to find £50 a month from mine towards my rent, if your over 25 you get working tax credit of £52 a week if you work 30 hours a week so get off your arse go get a job if i can do it at 55 so can you

[MorningCoffee]

What about your own self respect, independence, earning money for yourself and paying for your own life? does this not come into it?

How come you are managing to lie about your attempts to look for work? are they not checking?

[MrSunshine]

Depends if you think self respect is worth anything. Doesn't sound like you have much right now.

Get a bloody job, you dole bludger.

[Zalen]

I wouldn't mind working

That's very generous of you, I and all the rest of us who don't consider working for a living optional thank you profoundly

[NellyJob]

Ask the jobcentre? Ha ha. They're mostly ill-informed and/or generally clueless
oh right, unlike you, who is too smart to work right?
well they do do back to work calculations.
I can see from your attitude to suggestions that you have a negative and dismissive mindset and you are probably an alcoholic and/or drug addict.

[BenefitScrounger]

Pride and self-respect aren't really issues; I'm mostly concerned if I would be practically better off in work.

JSA don't check anymore. The Work Programme is supposed to have taken on the role but as I didn't sign the consent form, they have little motivation to find me a job (they won't get their bonus).

[GotMyGoat]

my partner is a SAHD as we can't currently afford childcare - however we are thinking about him going to work for long term benefit.

He managed to get a week and a half of paid work experience at my work, for which he has earnt about £160, we promptly informed the authorities,

Have just got letters through and we have lost £500 worth of benefits because of this work.

I despair. I just hope the work experience makes it easier for him to get a job, otherwise what is the point?

[KateSpade]

My god, are you serious woman?

Actually scratch that, my town is full if benefit scroungers & I've seen it all before, you know what, you life, waste it if you like!