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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think that too many people rely on the Tax Credits for their income.

593 replies

IdRatherBeInBed · 19/05/2011 11:42

Bit of background first

My sister and her boyfriend has got back together after they split up last year. She was then claiming income support.

He has moved back in with her so her benefits have all stopped. she works 13.5 hours a week, he works over 30 hours. They earn £17k between them. Which lets be honest in this climate is not alot of money.

Shes just called Tax Credits to let them know hes moved back in and wanted to know what she would be entitled to WTC wise. Due to her HB/CTB stopping. Her rent is £500 per month, CT £100 per month. She is entitled to £4.90 per week.

I am sad for her because after all rent, ct, bills have gone out shes isnt left with anything. her food bill for the month has had to be cut to £200 per month. She has a car on finance (through my dad) which is shagging her tbh due to engine size (she got it when still with partner before splitting up and he had to get a 1.8 sport^^) her insurance with just her on it is £115p/m. Hmm - (she isnt 25 yet)

Anyway she called them last week to ask how much she could be entitled to, they told her £80 per week so she was like
"ooh we can afford this, we can afford that" so went out and spent £100 on clothes for her, him and nephew. I told her not to rely on what they have said because it could be wrong but she wouldn't listen and was saying 'it will be right'. Today she rings me bollocking me as to why she is only entitled to £4.90 per week.

FFS why bollock me - i dont work for them.

WIHBU to have said to her 'cancel your £24p/m gym membership, get rid of the car or change it if you can, stop getting things from catalogues that you cant pay for and get your arse of a boyfriend to stop spending money you don't have on shit like £5.50 magazines each week, stop getting shit for the garden you dont need, you don't need so many fucking flowery things to make a garden look nice.

Or what i come across as a complete and utter bitch.

She is one of these who says "oh i have no money" but yet has enough for new clothes or go out for a meal, or takeaway"

OP posts:
xstitch · 20/05/2011 23:04

I was responding to usuals comment about being lucky. I was meaning everyone with a roof over their head is lucky. I am freezing because the flat is cold but I am still lucky because I am not in a cardboard box.

Ninxy · 20/05/2011 23:05

I don't think it's true to say that you get bad neighbours wherever you live though. What if your house comes with 100 acres? Plenty of people have no near neighbours at all. And still feel entitled to criticise people who receive tax credits.

usualsuspect · 20/05/2011 23:06

You need to get out of that mindset xstitch

you are not lucky.. eveyone deserves a fucking roof over their head

teaforone · 20/05/2011 23:08

well if you do not have neighbours then DUR! you can not have bad ones can you but if you do have them then they could always be bad could nt they where ever you live council or non council
i had worse neighbours before i got my council house so ......... :)

teaforone · 20/05/2011 23:10

Everyone does deserve a roof very true but there are alot of people and children with out one which is very sad :(
If your cold but the heat on for abit :)

Sonnet · 20/05/2011 23:14

I just have to repson to this....

motherpanda post of 17.34 today "Those of you who keep going on about childcare arrangements - I would ALWAYS prefer to bring up my children myself than send them off to childcare. I think it's inappropriate for MN to try and force a single mother into work, and send her young children out to childcare. (it makes economic sense, you are suggesting swapping tax credits for childcare benefits...()Once theyre in school, then she can think about working."
I would ALWAYS too prefer to bring up my children myself - so we agree about something Smile
I went back to work (full time) when my DD1 was 6 weeks old - why? to keep the roof over my head of course - in 1996 you got nothing except child benefit. It broke my heart then and it still does now Sad

I repeat - Tax credits have provided many women/families with a choice of whether to work or work few hours, It should be for those who NEED it not choose it - like the poster who cares for her DH and cannot see a way out - I wouold gladly go back to work again with a 6 week old baby to help them just NOT THOSE who it gives a CHOICE to .

xstitch · 20/05/2011 23:15

Er heating uses gas and gas costs money and as niceguy likes to point out I waste money though I am still not 100% sure what on. Cos I'm thick init.

teaforone · 20/05/2011 23:17

you do get money though so surely u can get gas?

Ninxy · 20/05/2011 23:18

xstitch I was in a flat with DD for years. It was built for an elderly lone person. It was shit. So tiny it was all windows so freezing cold in winter and boiling hot in the summer. No garden. Only one door, which terrified me.

A bunkbed / sofa thing in the minuscule living room which I felt really wonderful about when her HT and teacher from the school she was going to start came to visit Hmm

We got out eventually because the overcrowding led to DD suffering a near-fatal injury. Obviously I would not have had that happen but it did.

I've read your posts on other threads and you have had a horrible time of it. A really awful few years. Nobody should be nagging you or making you feel even worse. We are supposed to be a civilised society. YOU should not be the person who feels ashamed!

xstitch · 20/05/2011 23:19

Yes but I need to pay my legal aid bill and XH has confiscated DD's school shoes again so they need replaced.

teaforone · 20/05/2011 23:19

Do not understand your statement you saying i should stay at home on benifits because im single rather than working and claimming childcare???

Ninxy · 20/05/2011 23:19

Thanks for the "DUR" teaforone.

I was transported back to my eighties youth for a second when making fun of the mentally disabled was all the rage!

teaforone · 20/05/2011 23:20

oo u not from uk?

teaforone · 20/05/2011 23:21

ninxy got no idea what your going on about

xstitch · 20/05/2011 23:22

Thank you ninxy. I tried shamefully to get on the council house waiting list. It was so humiliating. They told me to get of my arse and try harder and that I was being selfish and I would not be over crowded unless I had 2 more children. Stupidest piece of advice I have ever heard and they were the professionals. Just find myself thinking why do they have a job and not me. Then feel guilty for thinking that.

Cocoflower · 20/05/2011 23:24

Sonnet whilst Motherpanda is pregnant she techically doesnt actually have children Confused

Sonnet · 20/05/2011 23:25

xstitch - hope things work out for you - you deserves a break
x

teaforone · 20/05/2011 23:25

dnt quite think the council would say that
you get on the council list who ever you are aslong as your from uk
you get on then have to wait like everyone else

Sonnet · 20/05/2011 23:25

Confused I was quoting her.....

Cocoflower · 20/05/2011 23:28

Yes, I mean its slighty odd she can be all preachy and come out with comments like "I would ALWAYS prefer to bring up my children myself than send them off to childcare" when you have no actual children... ! Confused

Sonnet · 20/05/2011 23:29

cocoflower - apologies if I have misquoted her - got involved at beginning and now end of thread so missed a chunk int he middle Grin
I assumed she was choosing to stay at home and would look for work when DC at school
apologies if misquoted

xstitch · 20/05/2011 23:29

They did say it tea. When I feel a bit stronger I will resubmit my form. I was told by a mum at school that they are under pressure to cut the list and have targets so some members of staff are being underhand. I sat there in their office listening to it then sat in the shopping centre sobbing for a while before pulling myself together enough to get dd from school.

Sonnet · 20/05/2011 23:29

cocoflower Grin

Cocoflower · 20/05/2011 23:29

See above ^^

Cocoflower · 20/05/2011 23:30

Opps crossed posts!