What is your household income, how much is benefits, and how are you coping?

This seems a lot of income. I’m a high earner but after tax I don’t get much more than this and I am single parent two children. One with send and I work full time and am knackered.so this seems quite a big top up to me.

It’s per household

It’s because I recently came out of an abusive marriage. I was married for nearly 20 years so didn’t work full time as I didn’t need to. I put mine and my child’s wellbeing before money. I have an interview tomorrow actually for a much better paid full time job so I am not just sitting about gloating about having benefits topping me up. Please don’t judge everyone so harshly when everyone has their own circumstances.

Seems like you have a very high mortgage and nursery fees. Hopefully things will improve as you reduce your mortgage and don’t have to pay nursery.

It is not only how much is the income but also the expenses. I have a friend that has a very nice lifestyle with a TA salary; married, not mortgage, not children, not car, and very organised with her money.

But it is a luxury to have just one person working. And if this were the case then there wouldn’t be any childcare bill.. an 80k, one stay at home parent household shouldn’t get child benefit..

Yes for Scottish Child Payment but you were talking about the Scottish equivalent of PIP which is ADP and is the same amount.

Edited to add actually it was ESA which was mentioned in the previous post not PIP but that still has nothing to do with Scottish Child Payment.

Single parent of 2 children, one is disabled child in receipt of DLA. I work part time, which is all I can manage whilst also meeting my sons needs.
My montly income, made up of salary, UC, child maintenance and child benefit is just over £4k. My outgoings are approx £1100, that includes my relatively low mortgage and all bills. I spend a fair amount on food shopping, my children have a lot of sensory issues around food. I manage to run a car, albeit nothing flashy and it's 10 years old, we have a lot of short breaks each year and normally have 1 holiday abroad. I don't go out frequently, maybe once every few months.

I don't feel well off, but we don't struggle either.

But there’s £400 each month extra benefit because you have children and are on benefits.

Also £500 CMS is low. I wouldn’t want to be the ex. I get £1000 CMS for two kids and I am still struggling despite working and the universal credit.

So many people jump on the fact OP must be living in a luxury mansion. Property prices in the south east are insane, I get £1000 per month from universal credit as the housing element as a single parent. Rent is actually £1400 and that is below average for around here. People are comparing apples and bananas.

Anyone can feel squeezed if they don’t manage their money well 🤷‍♀️

You can be on a six figure salary but choose to max out and have a HUGE mortgage plus two very expensive vehicles on finance.

Then it’s hardly surprising when you have the same disposable income as lower earners.

Income 24K. Mortgage £600. DH gives me £500 per month (varies as he’s self employed). Then it’s just the usual bills plus DTs phones. Car was bought outright (£400) tax £30 a year and insurance £35 a month. Holidays are a rarity but we go and stay with family. I do occasionally go on a solo trip when DH takes DC to his country. We generally buy second hand clothes (always have done). I am a good, frugal cook, spend around £400 a month for 4 of us. I can afford the odd meal out with friends but can’t afford for the 4 of us to dine out. Kids have a bursary from college so their travel is covered. They both work so fund their own social activities.
I do have a second job which is very ad hoc plus have dabbled in reselling on Vinted.
I would like more disposable income but I live within my means and enjoy bargain hunting.

ADP isn't much higher than PIP. It's the exact same.

And ESA is the same im Scotland as it is in England too as far as I'm aware.

LCWRA on Universal Credit is also the same.

She’s Scottish. Same sort of thing but with a Scottish name, and much, much higher. Cause the SNP hope they can buy the votes of disabled people.

I know it isn’t a race to the bottom but I genuinely lolled at the “car is seven years old”.

My 58 plate car will be seventeen years old in December. You’d have a heart attack taking mine in for its MOT.

Correct. Because all of those things are work which I've been declared unfit for according to medical professionals, the DWP and Social Security Scotland. Who are all fully aware that I have four children and are far more qualified to make that decision than you are. Thankfully.

Also is this income before or after tax ? Because the marginal tax rates are very high in parts. Also the tax rates penalise one high earner over two medium earners. No child benefit etc.

I’m a high earner.
However I am a single parent, no maintenance, no child benefit, pay all my own expenses.
The tax system penalises single earners compared to couples! Also we are always tired as we have to do everything!

I also don't get ESA 🤣

Not benefits bashing. I hope I don't ever have to rely on them but...

I'd love to know how people think it's OK that benefits take them over the average working wage? Benefits are meant to help you get by. They aren't meant to give you the same quality of life as someone who works full time, otherwise why WOULD people work?

I know low wages is another discussion.

I’ve never ever had a 7 year old car in my life - more like 15-20 years old.

im sorry but I just can’t take this seriously.

Get £500 car, and downsize - £3k for mortgage abc bills is insane.

theres four of us stuffed into a 3 bedroom house.

Your outgoings must be astronomical!!
we’re taking home under half of what you’re earning and we go away 4 times a year and also husband goes away twice with friends!
we also manage to save, got a car and 2 other vehicles on the road!

Weirdly I was totally against it until I encountered those two. Now I get it!