AIBU to think I would be better off on benefits

[parno]

I know I am going to get flamed and I promise I am not a Daily Mail reader, just really cross and a trifle pissed off......however.......

I have just read letter from DD's school advising that this coming school year they will be setting a budget for school trips - £30 pr yr. Parents whose kids are on free school meals do not have to contribute a bean, plus get packed lunches provided when off on trips. It got me thinking. I work full time and earn just over £20k. Get a little bit of maintenance for 2 DC plus a bit of CTC to put towards childcare. However I went on line and filled in the Direct Gov benefits caluculator (not much on tv until Wallander comes on).

It told me very proudly that I would be entitled to over £415 approx per week or £1800 approx pcmonth. That doesn't take into account Council Tax Benefit, free schol meals, money towards uniforms either. I take home about £1300 pcm but have to pay rent and CT out of that. I would effectively be about

I just don't understand why I have spent the last 13 yrs working F/T in order to amke ends meet, missing out spending time with my DC and generally meeting my arse on the way back round every single day.

Have I got this wrong? Is my maths really roobash? Am I turning into Katie Hopkins? Please shout at me and stop me being so right wing.

Oh, yes, that would be wonderful kitty! Agreed.

Just spotted a mistake. CTB would be £25 pr wk.

Can't be stars?!! Can't be ARSED!!

according to the faqs page on the gov website it is yes

it says:

At what level is the benefit cap going to be set?
The level of the cap will be:
?
£500 per week for couples (with or without children) and lone parents
?
£350 per week for single adults.

I didn't think the cap affects lone parents, I could be wrong though, anyone read up on it?

I didn't say doing it didn't suggest lack of work ethic or morals. But that doesn't make it ok to decide that there's something wrong in a system where you'd be better off on benefits. It should count for something that we can work.

I agree Freddos. But unlike you I don't think punishing all because there are a few who don't behave, the answer.
And, disability benefits are no longer a seperate issue. They're included in the cap. On top of which the aim is to reduce dla claims by 20%. Where are those 20% going to go. Onto jobseekers or whatever the equivalent is. Only there will be times when they're to ill, mentally or physically to turn up to sign on, or just not understand the situation, so they'll be going without and ending up starving and homeless. But this government needs to save money, so picking on the most vulnerable seems to be an obvious solution, because they can't fight back. Unlike Philip Green et al.

thanks water

am a bit stunned, and that's reduction

"But that doesn't make it ok to decide that there's something wrong in a system where you'd be better off on benefits"

I think it really does, I don't see how there can't NOT be something wrong with that

kitty I can answer your question.
Being "on benefits" doesn't mean anything. Is everyone who gets Child Benefit "on benefits"? If you mean people receding an income-replacing benefit like Income Support or JSA then the answer is that you must be in a protected category to get it. There are rules and it's not up to someone to decide if they want to live on benefits or go our to work. Of course there are people who abuse the system, e.g. Someone who has babies just do that she can carry on claiming IS as a single parent and not be available for work. Those are the minority even thought this government wants you to believ otherwise.
You can't foolproof a system whose aim is to protect the most vulnerable. Better a guilty man walking free than an innocent behind bars

But do you not feel good about yourself for working, accuracy? Or would you feel equally fulfilled and happy and deserving if you were claiming money and not working when you knew you could work?

I would feel awful if I did that. I was brought up to feel proud of contributing. Just as I'd feel pretty shit if I'd inherited a million and decided that meant I could laze around doing nothing.

So what if I do, unscrupulous people don't and that's why there's resentment

how I feel inside meself has got nothing to do with it

Dawndonna I agree entirely.
Do you work for a charity?

I worked for 18 years full time. I got made redundant and ended up on JSA for 6 months. It was horrible. The system is so intrusive, the questions, the scrutiny which I totally understands as it is public money. I was so ashamed walking into the job centre to sign on. Thank god, I found a job, not earning great money but the financial freedom is worth it.. Don't understand how people are not put off by that and get their arses in gear and get a job. Obviously,some people have no choice and the system should be there to help temporary...

No I don't, Olimpia. I do have a disabled dh and three children with ASDs though.

I don't resent thieves for the value of what they steal. I don't resent fake benefits claimants for the value of what they get. Same thing.

If people are genuine claimants (which I firmly believe the vast majority are), then they are genuine, and why would I resent them? I get to be proud I'm working. I wouldn't want not to be.

£415 per week? really OP, my sister is on on benefits , 3 kids and she get no where near that. Here we go another benefit bashing thread. Why not look up the other threads on MN in the same vein shit stirring much?

I get nowhere near that figure OP. I 100% promise you. I am a Carer and it is a struggle. I have to save for everything. You are welcome to spend time with us in my home. Please bring your own bedding. The sofa isn't comfy, as it is very old.

20k is loadsa money!!

"I don't resent fake benefits claimants for the value of what they get."

I do, that's the taxes of people like the OP who scrimp and save and don't get to see their kids, in order to do the right thing

Still we're all different, obviously you and I are different so there we are

@dawndonna - my DS is being assessed for ASD, I wasn't aware dla could be paid for this - not saying you aren't entitled to it - but if it helps to pay for things to help my son (or replace the things he has trashed) then please could you pm me info on how and when to apply for this?

shera, a lot of working people get nowhere near that.

solesource, i have to save for everything too, i went without a sofa full stop for a year when i bought my house.

i don't know why some people on benefits think hardship is restricted to them, a lot of us who work bloody hard f/t struggle too - a lot.

Out of the 250 pw, yes people will be paying bills, clothing and other expenses. Living on benefits is not an easy way out and pisses me off when people who have never experienced it first hand spout such crap.

Accuracy
I hope you resent the odd lazyarsed police officer who can't be bothered to investigate a 'domestic', the odd crap teacher, the nasty nurse. They're all out there and all paid for by your taxes.

You might be marginally better off in the short term but for as long as you are on benefits and not working you are becoming deskilled and in two years' time when you might be applying for a promotion, you will be two grades back from where you are right now. You are also setting your children an example and showing them a work ethic.

I had 8 years as a sahm having had a very successful career first. It was exactly as I wanted it although we were not eligible for any benefits. However getting back on the ladder was hard and I only managed it because I was prepared to go back part time at first and start again at the very bottom of the ladder and retrain. From 100k to 8.5k in 8 ye.ars. That's why it is not a good idea to give up work for the sake of it if you don't have to.

Will also add that 9 years on, I have a good job and could, if required be relatively independent. I see people professionally every day and meet people across classes and cultures. I feel far mor privileged than my primary playground contemporaries who at 50ish, not having worked for 20 years in some cases, are probably unemployable and certainly too proud to start at or work at the bottom.