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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my friend is wrong and I am NOT on benefits?

50 replies

NickNacks · 30/08/2011 18:17

OK so short story is I am a childminder and one or more of my parents receive Tax credits help towards their childcare costs. Therefore i am given the money from tax credits as payment for my services. My husband and i do not receive tax credits or anything else besides child benefit. I guess this could be classed as a benefit but is not the point my friend is making.

Am i right in thinking i am not 'on benefits' even though i do receive this money eventually?

Will give more info if needed but trying to keep it short and sweet. I'd really like to know what you think as i ended up getting quite cross with her yesterday!

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 30/08/2011 18:19

Does it matter?

WhatFreshHellIsThis · 30/08/2011 18:19

IF that's all she's basing it on, then no, of course you're not on benefits. You work. It doesn't matter how the parents pay you.

Now if you're going to debate whether Tax Credits are benefits, now that could be a bunfight. Grin

joric · 30/08/2011 18:20

Not benefits but wages surely?
Private nurseries receive payment from the government too for child places.

Iggly · 30/08/2011 18:21

Er your friend is talking madness.

Is she suggesting that you're sponging off the state??

belgo · 30/08/2011 18:21

What a strange logic your friend has. Of course you are not on benefits.

Original poster
NickNacks · 30/08/2011 18:21

Not debating about Tax credits being a benefit so no bunfight needed! Grin

I realise I work the same as the parents who pay me do- but they are the ones entitled to the help not me.

OP posts:
Mitmoo · 30/08/2011 18:21

You are working for your money, it's just that the government are paying you on behalf of the parents who quality for WTC.

Don't discuss your finances with this "friend" again, she sounds a little dim.

BooBooGlass · 30/08/2011 18:22

How does that work? When I recieved tax credits for childcare it came to ME to pay towards my bill. Why do you get the payments direct from tax credits? Has the system changed?

Mightimama · 30/08/2011 18:22
  1. Tax credits are not benefits they are entitlements
  2. Your friend is talking out of her backside
Flisspaps · 30/08/2011 18:22

You are right. You are not 'on benefit' if this family are using their Tax Credits to pay your fees. She's talking out of her arse.

If she were right, then ASDA are also 'on benefit' as my Tax Credits go towards part of our shopping bill.

Tonksforthememories · 30/08/2011 18:23

YANBU, you're not. The other parents are. You are being paid for your services, where the parents get that money from is neither here nor there.

If you don't make the claim, they're not your benefits.

FabbyChic · 30/08/2011 18:24

It is your wages, you are certainly not on benefits you don't claim.

adamschic · 30/08/2011 18:24

No you are not on benefits. Why is she arguing with you about this?

Original poster
NickNacks · 30/08/2011 18:25

No I don't get the payments direct to me. I happened to mention to 'friend' that i had agreed to change a payment date with parent (as i was explaining i had not a lot of money to go out yesterday) as parents wanted to pay on the day they received TC's.

OP posts:
BooBooGlass · 30/08/2011 18:25

Then your friend is clearly a bit dim.

frazzle26 · 30/08/2011 18:26

Your friend sounds like a right dim wit. You are working for your money, it doesn't matter where that money originated from.

andthisisme · 30/08/2011 18:26

Well, you work for the money, being a child minder is a job. So no, the cash you get is not a benefit, it is a wage.

Your friend has a very strange logic. If this was applied in general then surely everyone who somehow received some of the money from child benefit/tax credits etc, eg shops, cafes, hairdressers could also be considered "on benefits".

Should I inform people when I pay them that part of my income is from tax credits so they are aware of this Confused

Make your friend read this thread.

SuePurblybilt · 30/08/2011 18:26

That's bonkers. If that's the case then Clarks, the Sue Ryder shop and Lidl are also on benefits as I get CTC and that's where I spent my pounds today.
The sponging bastards.

Is your friend a little hard of thinking praps?

ASByatt · 30/08/2011 18:28

I agree that your 'friend' is talking out of her nether regions.

You do not receive the TCs, these parents do.
If you did not mind their child/ren, you would not receive the money.
Therefore it is not a 'benefit' or whatever of yours.

Nether regions, I tell you......

Original poster
NickNacks · 30/08/2011 18:29

Thank you all! I did say to her that i never even ask parents if they claim TC's to help witht the costs. None of my business. The only reason i know is if they bring up the subject.

Duly noted that friend is dim Grin Thank you!

OP posts:
DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 30/08/2011 18:29

YANBU ofcourse this doesn't mean you are "on benefits". Hmm Your friend is either a wind up merchant or a douchebag. Or an idiot. Take your pick.

adamschic · 30/08/2011 18:30

Either dim or she is having a dig, for reasons unbeknown.

redexpat · 30/08/2011 18:34

Perhaps you could explain to your weird stupid friend that it's like the government contracts out childcare to you and pays you for supplying this service.

joric · 30/08/2011 18:39

Was she trying to have a dig OP?

GaramMasalaGirl · 30/08/2011 18:42

Weird thinking from your friend OP...so by her logic...

If.....say a builder was paid for a legitimate job by....let's say a drug dealer/criminal type....then by your friend's logic the builder would also be a criminal? Confused

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