To feel like it's JUST not FAIR?

[hubbabubbabubba]

Ok, this has probably been done a million times already but; I work full time (am single parent to 2 dc) and have to pay my own mortgage myself (£800). I do receive working tax/family tax credits and a little maintenance from ex, but still have very little/no money left at the end of the month.

My sister is also a single parent, works only 16hrs a week, and refuses to work any more than this as she knows her whole rent of £1000 a month would no longer be footed by the tax payer.
She recently sold her shared ownership home, managed to keep the extra £13k she made out of it and bought a brand new car, a holiday for her kids and boyfriend and brand new furniture for her new rented house. She owes my mum several thousand pounds but did not pay her back.

How is this fair??? Needless to say, we are not v close!

And with £13K in the bank that will affect how much housing benefit she receives, anything between £6k and £16K savings reduces housing benefit entitlement.

Telly is an important consideration!
We have a third hand one - big and clunky.
We are the 'end of the liners' in our family in hand me downs.
Sympathies op.

You are allowed 16k in savings ( I think)

Your mum needs to be clearer about a timescale for repayment

A lone parent at present only needs to work 16 hrs due to be upped to 24 ( I think!)

Her housing is her business. And choice.

You are both 'on benefits' so what is the problem??

I think op says the money is spent, so not in the bank. Not sure

Life's not fair! Here's my gripe, my DH has 2 degrees self funded his second, got a good job and has worked his socks off, as he's now a higher rate tax payer we will lose 3k next year in child benefit but we cannot moan about it because it serves him right for daring too earn too much. Yet the house next door can earn 80k and still receive there's, how is that fair?

I don't know about the housing benefit as I went on entitled to recently having a nose and if I was on my own I would get £350 a month not enough for a 2 bed flat round here and I'm in Scotland, don't know how they expect that to work?!

Yanbu

Yanbu. But there's something you can do.

Vote Conservative. Never vote Labour or LD.

And one day Cameron will grow a spine or be replaced.

I wouldn't say we are both "on benefits."

I'm just thinking that i should sell my house, rent, and claim hb too.

Great advice, vote Conservative.

Then pray to God that you never end up as one of the "undeserving" poor.

How did she buy a boyfriend with the money??!!

Wtc,ctc and child benefit = 'benefits'

Every person with children in the UK is on "benefits" then seeing as we all receive Child Benefit.

Or are you one of those posters who think you aren't on 'benefits' if you still work as well?

We don't all get child benefit..... You do know that don't you?? It's mean tested...

This just feels like I'm being attacked, so think i am going to leave.

I don't think tax credits are benefits. As I understand it, they used to take less tax out for family deductions, now they don't and instead you get it 'refunded' as tax credits. (Please someone correct me if that's wrong.)

I can't imagine she's getting £1000/mo paid in HB, especially with a house sale and savings. I've gotten HB in London and that doesn't sound right at all.

If you sell your house and rent it could be seen as a deprivation of capital and you would get nothing.

She told me her rent is £980 a month and it gets all paid; she does have 3 children under 18.

We all get child benefit at the moment don't we Lilac?
After April that is all we shall receive in benefit. At moment we are way below the threshold for losing CB in 2013 [or whatever] unless the goal posts are moved again. Have lost our 10 quid a week family tax credit though [April].

I'm not going to sell my home (unless i have to), I actually feel proud that i manage to pay for it by myself, not being smug, but just glad that i am able to do it.

So you have been supported by your mum and taxpayer too. Eight years for a degree? Why? My B.Ed was four years and part-time back in the early nineties.

This degree will increase your earning potential. You also have a tangible asset in your house and you are jealous of your sister who has no such opportunities, is that right?

I HAD to sell my house and go on benefits for a while when DD was a baby. If your children are over five years of age then you will expected to work for at least 24 hours per week under new rules whether that is paid employment or workfare so I really wouldn't recommend losing that security.

Of course you should - its an investment rather than the dead money renting is.

But then when your old and may need care then you lose your house anyway don't you?
An asset if you don't need state help...

Creepy, I did my degree with the OU, which takes 6 years; I had to take 2 years off in the middle when i was very unwell and in and out of hospital.

How does my mum pay for me ?(apart from being a previous taxpayer?)