To be annoyed at friend's comment re benefits

[GreatBallsofFluff]

Just to be clear, said friend has no children and he does not collect benefits himself.

I was talking to him yesterday about how my salary at work has been brought up, and my line manager thinks I should get a raise at the next review. Hooray thinks I. Friend said that whilst he agrees for what I do I should be paid more, but did I really want a pay rise as it will affect my benefits. I said yea, but it's all relative and whilst I know I'll still receive some, I'd like to be less dependent on them and prefer to have money earned rather than given to me.

His response was "yea but it's just a load of hassle notifying them all of the change and everything".

I thought his attitude stunk and wondered if there were people actually receiving benefits who think like this? "No thanks, I don't want to be paid more from the company's money as I'll just get given it from the state instead".

Yes there are some people like that. A man at our work will only work 16 hours as fulltime would only be the same money he is currently getting with top Ups. As the amount of hours he needs to work now has to be 24 he is struggling as work don't need anymore staff and won't increase his hours. But I think he is the exception, not the rule.

we actually have quite a few people at work who won't work a minute over 16 hours

don't think it's that uncommon really

well it is a load of hassle IME. sometimes they stop your clam and you get nothing for weeks which leaves you struggling.

i agree with you that if you can earn more through your job then you should because it is awful having to be completely dependant on the benefits (i know) but i can understand your friend's hesitance to rock the boat.

when i was working, i receieved housing benefit and they had me in every bloody month producing bank statements and pay slips and tax credit awards. they would suspend my claim and re asses it and i never knew wht i was getting from one week to the next. it was a nightmare trying to juggle my money. i'm on IS at the moment and not working and i cant say i miss all the to-ing and fro-ing that went with working and proving my income. i am looking for work now and dreading having to juggle it all again while they get their fingers out of their holes and decide what i'm entitled to.

It is true, I can't stand having to ring up the Tax Credits, or the council but whether I sound a bit martyr-ish, it is far more satisfying earning my own money and knowing where I stand with it, then relying on benefits and not knowing what's happening one month to the next (as you say IAmBooybilee)

i totally agree with you it is far more satisfying earning your own. i just wish they would find a way to let you earn it without making you feel like you were of course on the fiddle and having to prove that you 'only' earnt X amount. it's not satisfying to have to do that month in month out, fit it in between work and collecting your dcs from childcare, go back because they forgot to photocopy a form.

I would imagine there are many like this. The number of people who wont work overtime (or work at all), dislike a wage rise or wont work extra hours knowing their benefits will drop will be very very high. You'd think they would be happier knowing they were self supporting themselves more but its a sad reflection on society that they are not.

I'm temping at the moment and can't actually be arsed to go through all the hassle of rapid reclaim every time (I do odd days here and there) so have given up and just don't claim during my non working spells.

4 days of temping every two weeks still brings in more than jsa alone

I was refused a pay rise at work as 'that's what tax credits are for' 'if we pay you more you will get less tax credits' I never got the pay rise, so it can work both ways. I think its better to earn the money rather then depend on unreliable benefits.

mrsboom your tax credits are nothing to do with your employers! how did they even know you received tax credits? you dont have to tell them that! it's non of their business and they certainly cant use tax credits when deciding whether to pay you what you work for!

That is a disgusting attitude of your employers MrsBoombastic!!!

I know, it was about 8 years ago.I had not told them I got tax credits,but I was a single mum of two, so they presumed. they were a terrible employer and paid me less than the male employees for the same job. if I had the strength and energy to take them to court etc I would have done but as a struggling single mum of two,with health problems and housing problems I had too much on my plate to add to it, so I just left. I wish I had taken more action now.

I don't believe that the problem is that working people don't want to be self supporting, I think the problem is the knife edge that people are on.

For example, suppose you took on some overtime that took you above the line and so you were over the limit. That would probably be fine until the overtime ends and you're below the limit again. How do you cope until your credits are re-instated?

I know a few people who will only work 16 hours a week because they'll do the minimum they need to, to claim top ups and won't do a stroke more.

16 hours is equivalent to about 2 days a week - less than half time! What a joke! Even the new revised 24 hours is no where near a full time job. That a couple can between them work the equivalent of a 3 day a week job, and get top ups, rather than work full time, is ridiculous, and leads to the sort of situations the OP describes, where both employer and employee can play the system

The 16 hr thing + top ups infuriates me completley.

Why should people in demanding important jobs (where 16 hrs could be a days work) subsidise those who choose not to do a minute more.

what do you suggest tinkerbell?

Its broken Britain

Agree, Apocalypse

You have to earn a lot of money to be genuinely self-supporting in the UK.

Most of us rely on the welfare state to one degree or another.

Getting a payrise that leaves you no better off due to the loss of benefits is nothing to be particularly excited about.

I can see your friend's point.

All that has happened is that your employer is receiving less subsidy than formerly.

To be honest I can see his point. I also think it was an insignificant throw away comment when he was clearly trying to make conversation with you. I don't think you should read too much into it!