Friend earns as much as me on benefits

Are you sure you aren't entitled?

Is this a benefit bashing post or an SNP bashing post?

Precisely.

That she’s managed to save up £8k with benefits as her only income stream is impressive, good on her. I don’t really see how it affects you? Are you not claiming benefits too? I’m sure you’d be entitled.
Work gives you much more than money. You have the potential to progress and earn more. I know it’s hard working and being a single parent, I’ve done it for 10 years, but I can’t get upset about how other people survive

Quite. But if she actually did the correct research, she'd find out that this rage bait thread wouldn't fly. Couldn't have that now, could we?

If you are a single working parent who rents and takes home less than 2k a month then it’s incredibly likely you are eligible for UC.

Everything else aside she is not getting pregnant at 48. What a waste of 8k. Although you get less welfare if you have savings over 6k and none at all if over 16k so you're story doesn't quite add up. Welfare for two kids and an adult is no where near 2k even with high rent which it probably isn't that high if she's in Scotland let's be honest.

You can google uc amounts op. It isn’t £2000.

You can earn 79-90k and get no help

Why are you talking nonsense? You don't need help if you earn that much.

If you had a disabled child you'd realise how much more they cost to raise than NT children. And disabled children can't just be left with any old childminder or after school club whilst their parent works.

The last government introduced the benefit cap which means anyone not disabled is expected to look for work and their benefit payments are capped. And there's also a 2 child cap.

Do you only pay attention to the news when it suits you?

I'm just laughing at all of those people talking about the added benefits of working, outside of the financial rewards. I can only presume that they aren't working the shit, tedious jobs with exploitative employers, awful managers and unlikeable co-workers that a lot of those at the bottom of the employment market have to put up with.

🙄

Oh great another benefit bashing thread!

Oh dear, you really jumped the shark with going for IVF at the age of 48 OP!

The chances of her IVF being successful is very low.

More benefit bashing?

The only way she'd be getting this is if she has disabled children or she of her partner is disabled.

If you think that life on benefits is so easy, why don't you try it?

This is a very common occurrence and totally intentional by the govt

You can earn 79-90k and get no help

But you can have 3 kids with varying circumstances/ disabilities / childcare fees / rent /council tax discount / UC / child benefit /housing benefit

It can all add up to what a higher rate tax payer takes home after tax then they have to pay for all those things themselves

Have you checked you're entitled to anything? It sounds like you may be.

If you’re a single parent who rents then on your wage (which is quite low for a full-time job) you’re probably also entitled to Universal Credit. Are you claiming? If so, how much? Let’s make the comparison fair.

I can’t understand what the point of your thread is. You claim to be ‘conflicted’ because it’s so ‘unjust’. Where’s the conflict and what’s so unfair? Unfair would suggest the life your friend is leaving is not accessible to you but it absolutely is. Go for it if it seems so great. I suspect, however, that you know it isn’t that marvellous. That a life whereby a parent is wholly reliant on benefits is quite an isolated and unfulfilling one. And that the benefits (for want of a better word) of working go beyond your take-home pay. If I’m wrong though, please do just quit your job and be like your pal.

Don’t claim to be better though. The very fact that you’ve come onto Mumsnet spouting this dog-whistle shite is pretty repugnant IMO. I hope the inevitable benefit bashing makes you feel better and eases your inner turmoil, OP 👏

Also, no ivf place will take on a 48yr old for that little money. It’s not worth their stats. Either she or you are fibbing a little.

Does she get pension contributions? Work experience and an ability to earn more and get promoted? Tax free childcare, free hours ? I don’t think it’s comparing like for like. I know which option I’d prefer in the long run.

Your friend receives a sum the government has decided is the minimum necessary for her and her dependents to have a minimum standard of living. You need to ask yourself why, then, if the same government insists that work should pay, they are not willing to give you a salary that permits you to enjoy a higher standard of living than your friend.

Unless her kids are still small, it's surprising she's not being made to work or do 'work related activity'.

I don't understand your point. My wages need to include my housing costs too 😕 and I take home this than that.

Agree. This is always used to justify seemingly high benefit payments, as if self-sufficient people aren’t subject to the same housing market.