I’m a single mum claiming a UC top up AMA

[cadburyegg]

There’s a lot of negative press and misinformation about benefit claimants so thought I’d start a thread. I work nearly full time and have 2 children. Ask away.

@gamerchick I haven't, because we just about manage on what we bring in. I don't like the idea of being supported by the government when it's us who should be paying for our daughter (just my personal opinion). I do get CB which is invaluable.

No

That's true
But when people say I can't afford it, it's not actually true is it?
They mean I'm prioritising what's more important to me.
So its nice to remember that it's only £5.99 a month
So no need to demonise people who choose to get this
It's a cheap form of entertainment.

So you can't complain that it isn't fair then. It's there for you if you want it. Just because you don't, doesn't mean you get to tell people who do take it that they're wrong for claiming.

If you would prefer to struggle then that's on you.

There is a vast amount in unclaimed benefits. You just don't hear about it because it's not news worthy

So you going to allow your pride to get in the way of helping you improve your life and lessen the financial pressure. Righto.

Luckily I don't listen and I enjoy Disney and netflix whilst on UC.

What about those who can't work through no fault of their own? No pleasures in life?

I don't get it. 🤷

I work full time and recive UC and can categorically state that the UC I receive is in no way a ‘substitute’ for ‘a second adults income’ aka my ex husband.

Ultimately it is MY duty to provide for my child - not the government's. Yes it may be needed as a short or emergency stop-gap, but shouldn't be permanent.

I know it’s an AMA but jumping in as I think it may surprise some people. I am a police officer working just slightly less than full time as a single parent (not at the top of my pay bracket though), and I get UC and help with child care costs. I work all the hours I possibly can around childcare. Second job etc is not an option. No free school meals. I have a mortgage, so don’t get help towards housing. Children’s father pays a v small amount (self employed of course, CMS not much help). Has the children minimal and is unreliable, making working more v difficult. I do have Netflix, and my youngest child does have swimming lessons (I believe it’s important). I did not plan to be a single parent, I was married before I had children. I wish my job paid enough to not need UC or any help.

I wonder how many people would genuinely be able to go without UC top up if their partner left or died.... I suspect not many.

And that's absolutely your choice.

But again, you can't complain that it's not fair when others do.

It's admirable that pride is strong. But remember the government set the minimum income you need to live on. If you're entitled to UC, then you're not hitting it by working. If you can get by on less then that's fine.

The question is would pp get by without government help as a single parent? No. It's all well and good to say I wouldn't use benefits whilst you don't need them. What happens if a spouse drops dead for example?

People would argue that they should have had life insurance instead of claiming benefits and on it would go. There would be a different kind of kicking.

Can see the threads now.

@IAmThePrettiestManOnMyIsland I was a single parent suddenly made single with two young kids. I accepted benefits for a short while but increased my working hours so they were no longer needed. It shouldn't be permanent.
Also, fathers should be held more accountable, absolutely.The government doesn't impregnate women and neither does the taxpayer.

I suspect you're right 😂

It’s great that you earnt enough to be able to not need any help after increasing your hours. For many even if they upped to 50 hours a week they’d still need UC because it’s not enough.

Quite. Bad things happen in ife. You weigh it up and take out insurance or you should be prepared to take the Ffinancial hit when things don't turn out perfectly.

Women are adults and should act accordingly. Choosing you birth father is a decision that should be made both emotionally and financially. If your partner is not financially accountable the responsibility should fall on the shoulders of the woman. But no, women seem to delight by turning on the little girl act when it suits them and expect everyone else to bail them out. This demeans all women. Until certain women face up to their life decisions all other women suffer.

Precisely this. There are many single people working FT and still needing UC. And what of childcare cost for those who can simply up hours? What of those who can't just up their hours?

Interesting that according to you everything is women’s fault, you’ve really not applied much critical thinking there, just gone straight to ‘women should do better’.

No men should do better. But if women evaluated the situation, these men would not have a chance with a decent woman. Women need standards.

So stop villifying the single parents who work and receive UC in order to be able to provide an okay - not luxurious - life for their children.

I am not surprised by this. I am sure that Prison Service and the NHS also have staff working and in receipt of UC.

Yet mumsnet would have us believe we are all layabouts having child after child and sqaundering their hard earned tax contributions

@Frannieisnthappy Villifying nobody, but don't agree with it being a permanent situation.
This lady is working which is absolutely right and commendable, but her ex-partner should be supporting their child equally and more consequences put in place if he chooses not to do so. It shouldn't be up to the government but up to both parents to provide for the children that they made.