To think this is a big problem with the universal credit system

[gingercatsparky]

After a talk with my friend I feel the universal credit system discourages people from working harder. My friend has recently split from her DH, she works 15 hours a week and has a dd in school. She was discussing what to do financially and said that her friend told her that if she works only one more hour a week she gets universal credit. So it's not worth her upping her hours even more although she would be perfectly capable of working full time. Surely, that is the wrong way round? More money for working part-time. She continues working few hours and doing coffees etc on her days off where others are forced to work full time?

She was discussing what to do financially and said that her friend told her that if she works only one more hour a week she gets universal credit

This is your problem, you see OP, you’re believing nonsense without even finding out if it’s true.

It's hard to mind your own business when someone is using the system unfairly, a system you are paying for.

I question if someone who has been financially irresponsible and found themselves in this situation, although in fairness this is mostly her DH doing behind her back, but I think she happily turned a blind eye or never questioned their circumstances financially, should then be bailed out by the state so they can continue working minimum hours when there is absolutely no reason not to increase their hours. When she used to tell me about how they couldn't afford xyz and were very overdrawn and had x on cc I always found it strange as I know her DH earns the same as mine. But she never wondered where his wage was going.

I have gently asked her if she can increase her hours or downsize and UC and her DP were her only solution. She is a dear friend but she has gone down in my estimation.

I think the problem here is the cost of childcare.

@gingercatsparky

It's hard to mind your own business when someone is using the system unfairly, a system you are paying for.

I question if someone who has been financially irresponsible and found themselves in this situation, although in fairness this is mostly her DH doing behind her back, but I think she happily turned a blind eye or never questioned their circumstances financially, should then be bailed out by the state so they can continue working minimum hours when there is absolutely no reason not to increase their hours. When she used to tell me about how they couldn't afford xyz and were very overdrawn and had x on cc I always found it strange as I know her DH earns the same as mine. But she never wondered where his wage was going.

I have gently asked her if she can increase her hours or downsize and UC and her DP were her only solution. She is a dear friend but she has gone down in my estimation.

If my friend "gently suggested" I increase my hours or downsize I'd wonder how thick they thought I was to have not considered it myself. I don't think the role of a friend is to police their use of the benefits system.

This thread has made me grateful to my friends for all the unquestioning support they've given me whilst I've accessed universal credits to get me through the toughest time in my life.

@LemonSwan

I think the problem here is the cost of childcare.

No it's not. She doesn't use any childcare and won't need to. I expect that is the problem for many others including myself before my dcs started school.

I have supported her and will continue to do so. It doesn't mean that I have to unquestionably support something which I can categorically know she does not need. Fair enough if she was in dire need but she wants to get UC so she can continue to work minimal hours a week. It doesn't mean I am not a good friend because I disagree with someone using the benefit system for this purpose. Her DH has mostly got her in this situation which is rubbish and I am glad she will get support from him and her DP so she won't find herself in the shit as others would. BUT it's not right that the system can be used in this way.

She's very blinkered about money and is used to just getting it from those around her and working minimal hours to make her own money or being a SAHM. So I am not sure she would consider downsizing or working more hours tbh. I think straight away it would be ask DP or UC. As much as you think that question is silly.

It actually isn’t hard to mind your own business. If you can manage to ignore billionaires not paying their fair share, MPs getting ridiculous expenses covered and all the other bullshit that gets done with “your” tax money- then you can mind your own business about someone claiming UC- which requires you to jump through a bunch of hoops.

Funny how everyone is so concerned with “their” tax money when it comes to benefits, when the recent thread with the OP who was pretty sure her in-laws were committing tax fraud was full of “mind your own business!”.

It's not about 'minding your own business' it's about highlighting the unfairness and ridiculousness of it all !!

Everybody should be up in arms about billionaires/tax exile companies not paying their way - including those who are on UC and other benefits. It is all of our business that our taxes are spent where needed (UC and other benefits).

I absolutely agree that we shouldn't be supporting (by purchasing goods and services) from companies that don't pay their taxes. Now, how many of us actually walk that walk rather than paying lip service to the notion?

That’s kind of exactly my point. Lots of things re: taxes are unfair and ridiculous but it’s only UC that people wont stop banging on about.

I mean, this is a situation OP has heard about second hand, and obviously doesn’t know the full picture of.

If wages were higher then you wouldn’t have the sense of entitlement to butt your nose in to people’s business.

Wages need to be higher then people can support themselves without needing handouts from the state.

As it is, UC is hardly a life of Riley but given that wages have effectively stood still for so long, it’s no wonder people go for the seemingly easier option.

Wouldn’t you???

Judging by some of the ridiculous responses here, I think there are a lot of posters on UC or tax credits on this thread OP.

I agree with you. Unfortunately the system is unfair. It doesn't help who it needs to help. I think her attitude of entitlement is the most annoying thing here.

@chilliplant634

Yeah, I’m on UC, so I know how it works. Should I just leave it to people who have no experience of it to make comments?

Mumoblue, exactly. How do we change this though? I've been pondering this for a while. Watching Boris and any other government make a right mess of things. We've elected them and we can't win because there's nobody competent with integrity and ability to actually vote for.

How have we ended up with a system that is so broken where people (mostly women, mostly mums) have to take such a careful look at their finances to work out whether it would make sense to work 15 hours more for the resultant pittance, and not be with their children in the evening to achieve that? It's just absolutely wrong.

PP's post about it being attributed to childcare is spot on. It really is just that. There's no support for women with children who don't have backup of partner/parents/relatives/friends willing and able to step in - and they have to pay huge amounts in order to work.

How did we ever get a system like this? And how do we get rid of it/go back to the drawing board? I don't trust any government to do it and what else do we have? I'm not smug, I'm fortunate and know that my situation could change at any point. I just feel that donations to foodbanks/fareshare and the like, they're fantastic but... women should not have to rely on these because they're bringing up children and are being penalised left, right and centre. They are OWED this money. It makes me so, so angry and sad.

There is nothing wrong in being on UC. But I don't see why everyone is defending her entitled attitude. There are families in this country who rely on food banks to get by. And this entitled CF is happy to sit on her arse while her cushy lifestyle is funded by everyone else except her.

@chilliplant634

But that’s just it. If she’s not entitled to it, she won’t get it. And they WILL pester her to up her hours if she possibly can. I’m on UC. I am a single mum. Now that the uplift is gone I may find myself visiting a food bank next month.
This woman’s claim makes zero impact on mine. There are ALWAYS going to be people who push the limits of the system, and I find that focusing on them is more harmful to us than just not doing that (because it makes people wrongly think that abusing the system is more common than it actually is!).

My advice when hearing about people mucking about with the system is to very vocally remind yourself that such people are in the minority, because banging on about them makes people more hostile towards people like me, who would starve without it.

OP you said she uses after school club, then said she doesn't need childcare. £8 is cheap, but it's still £160 a month.

And it's a really long day for kids who've just had their world turned upside down.

@timesachangin

OP you said she uses after school club, then said she doesn't need childcare. £8 is cheap, but it's still £160 a month.

And it's a really long day for kids who've just had their world turned upside down.

I said I use after school club and so know it's £8 per session. She does not use any paid childcare.

@Iggly

If wages were higher then you wouldn’t have the sense of entitlement to butt your nose in to people’s business.

Wages need to be higher then people can support themselves without needing handouts from the state.

As it is, UC is hardly a life of Riley but given that wages have effectively stood still for so long, it’s no wonder people go for the seemingly easier option.

Wouldn’t you???

Personally no I wouldn't, not only working 15 hours a week whilst claiming UC no. But apparently she wouldn't get it anyway so we will see. I will see what she says about it next time I see her. I don't want to be mean but I do hope they do say no to her. Her DH is going to continue to pay half the bills whilst he can and they are mortgage free so if she ups her hours I expect she would be fine.

[quote Mumoblue]@chilliplant634

But that’s just it. If she’s not entitled to it, she won’t get it. And they WILL pester her to up her hours if she possibly can. I’m on UC. I am a single mum. Now that the uplift is gone I may find myself visiting a food bank next month.
This woman’s claim makes zero impact on mine. There are ALWAYS going to be people who push the limits of the system, and I find that focusing on them is more harmful to us than just not doing that (because it makes people wrongly think that abusing the system is more common than it actually is!).

My advice when hearing about people mucking about with the system is to very vocally remind yourself that such people are in the minority, because banging on about them makes people more hostile towards people like me, who would starve without it.[/quote]
Won't she make herself entitled to it by working 16/35 or however many hours you need to work to be entitled?

@gingercatsparky

If she’s on a low income, she’ll be entitled to it, especially if she has kids. If she’s not working the hours they want her to, they will push for her to do so. I have to attend work interviews myself, despite my job coach agreeing with me that there’s no way I could work right now.

@gingercatsparky ah I stand corrected. How old are her kids? Older I guess.

I mean, mines in year 11 but still needed me at home after school when we were going through a hard time.

Don't know how that works. I used to work 16 hours a week and I am better off financially working 28 hours a week that I do now. I'm a single mum on low wage getting tax credits.

Well it will be interesting how it pans out then. I have no idea how much she earns but probably minimal wage or slightly more.

No- her dc is in junior school. She doesn't need childcare as DH or DP do the school runs on days she works. Although I guess if she does up her hours this might not be the case and she may pay for childcare and factor that in when increasing her hours. I hope she doesn't get it with her circumstance right now though. Either you choose to work 2 days a week and live the lifestyle accordingly or you work more hours if you want the better lifestyle IMO.

Stop being jealous and mind your own business I say.