I'm a long term benefits user: AMA

[mycheeseplantiscalledcharles]

I won't bore you with the long back story but to sum it up I had a professional career then two of my DC were disabled, needing FT care. They are now 19 and I've been on income support and now UC for 18 years. I have always felt comfortable financially and never had any debt. AMA.

Do you feel you have a duty to re-pay society in some way? My uncle spent his life on benefits, but he did raise two wonderful sons in whom he instilled excellent values. Both have beautiful manners and a strong moral compass, and both are loving husbands and fantastic fathers.

I think OP already does that, if I read correctly she does volunteer work.

What millions of people? Do you not actually realise you can't tell if someone has a condition just from looking at them? And as for 'the benefits system is very generous' - what's the weather like up there in la-la land? 🙄

I'm one of the users of MN who strongly believes that the entire welfare system requires drastic change.

I don't believe for a moment that cases such as OP's one are overpaid. I think they need to be supported much more in terms of actual care service so OP can have respite and some time for herself, as well as residential settings for adults like her DTs should be of decent quality. And carers there should be paid sufficiently.

It's those professional benefits takers, and there are millions of them, even OP talks about this briefly, should be dealt with.

But isnt it better they get used to living away from you while you still alive?

Irrelevant to the post but when then you get less benefits when you work: if you work how many hours?

No questions but just wanted to wish you well. Your children are lucky to have you.

Since they have left FT education every £1 I earn knocks £0.55 off my UC. So in effect I'm working for half of NMW per hour. When they were in school I could earn £411 before deductions. I believe the work allowance should remain for carers. Many want to work (even though they aren't required to) for respite and their own MH, but can't afford to once their DH leave school.

Will come back to the thread later 💐

OP must be in her early 40s. She hopefully has another 20 years or so of healthy life. That's 20 years of quality life for her children. Why would she send them to residential for so long?

It's just another point that people with true disabilities and their carers need to be properly supported.

You and your boys are exactly who the benefit system is for. I'm glad you've been able to make it work financially. Physically and mentally you have a tough life few would envy.

not related to the thread, but you can sell and move to a HA leasehold maisonette or flat. They repair the externals ...we are in the SE and thrive on a single wage - there are ways to manage and be comfortable

That'll not happen. It's our home,and we'll retire in it, and we're seven years from paying it off. It's just so f#cking annoying to get constantly toed in the nuts. It seems to be never ending.

At least your not caring for two severley disabled adult children though.

Couldn't agree more.

My wife's disabled.

the other problem is the businesses dont need the workers vs how many people there are, plus these days with globalisation you dont even need a modern workforce, so how do people expect companys to hire people when there are no profits to be made not to also mention even companies that do exist only want to pay nmw when the value of peoples roles means they should be paid alot more .

Not you again. Why do you always hang around these threads with the sole intention of putting the boot in? And would you seriously swap places with OP given what she's shared about her life?

My house is less than 10 year's old and needs £500 of roof work done next month. I have had to replace fans, fix water leaks, replace floors because of it. Its cost a fortune but part and parcel of home ownership unfortunately. The OP has a difficult life and needs benefits so I am glad she gets it. Her dh was awful to her when she needed him most which makes it worse.

we are on our own home, it is just a maisonette within HA landlord.

Oh, it's a competition, is it?

So you will understand how hard it is then
Is your wife claiming PIP.?

Presumably you understand how hard it is for OP then, who is caring for two adults who are disabled?

Does your wife claim PIP?

Yes, the Scottish equivalent.