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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be scared of getting a job in case I'm worse off?

601 replies

BenefitScrounger · 21/09/2012 11:50

NC and prepared for a flaming.

I've been claiming JSA for over two years now and am on the Work Programme. I have no qualifications and all I could get (I think) is a minimum wage job. I have been lying about my attempts to get work because I think I am better off out of work.

At the moment I get full housing benefit plus council tax, free dental care/prescriptions (if I need them) and £71 a week to live on. My bills aren't covered obviously, but they're not huge, and I have lots of free time to indulge hobbies etc.. I don't feel the need to buy stuff very often as I'm not into fashion/beauty and I eat cheaply. I can afford to eat out once a week with a TasteCard. The only thing I miss is holidays abroad but I'm not sure I would be able to afford them if I got a job anyway.

If I got a full time minimum wage job, would I be worse off? Just thinking of travel expenses, student loan repayment and time lost - not sure if I would still get any council tax benefit?

Has anyone had experience of this? By the way, I'm childless and live alone.

OP posts:
GoldShip · 21/09/2012 21:08

You have a dire grasp of how money, tax and the economy work.

amillionyears · 21/09/2012 21:09

I forgot i.lazy
not saying at all that benefit claimants are,just possibly this one.
In fact,if you are for real,op,you are not being fair to genuine benefit claimants.

Original poster
BenefitScrounger · 21/09/2012 21:09

As for 'd' - done that :(

OP posts:
ClownBikeInAVelodrome · 21/09/2012 21:09

Hahahahaha

You're an idiot.

You don't pay for anything love because you don't EARN anything. Other people BUY THINGS FOR YOU by dint of you receiving their tax money.

So yes YOU are taking money from those who need it more. It doesn't actually matter if 'rich people' are also doing this but YOU are doing it, which is my point.

amillionyears · 21/09/2012 21:09

May wish I didnt do my last post now.
Thank you for being honest.

amillionyears · 21/09/2012 21:11

You have done the end of "d" Sad

littlemisssarcastic · 21/09/2012 21:12

sittinginthesun "Who do you think pays for your rubbish collection, your roads?"

OP will more than likely have to pay a percentage of her council tax when the changes to council tax benefit come into play next year. I know it is not much consolation to the posters who are annoyed at OP, but working age people on benefits will begin to contribute where they have not had to since council tax came in.

Did you know this OP? So you will have even less than £71 a week from next year.

LadyBeagleEyes · 21/09/2012 21:13

Are there really people on this thread that believe the OP?

GetOrfAKAMrsUsainBolt · 21/09/2012 21:13

NO

LBE show us a picture of your beagles.

littlemisssarcastic · 21/09/2012 21:15

I certainly believe the OP, because my friend could have written her OP and her posts.
In fact, I am still not sure it is NOT my friend tbh.

littlemisssarcastic · 21/09/2012 21:15

Although my friend has no access to the internet and doesn't make art or play music.

Original poster
BenefitScrounger · 21/09/2012 21:17

If I earned MW I still wouldn't pay tax would I?

OP posts:
NellyJob · 21/09/2012 21:18

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?num=10&hl=en&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbnid=1nuhZDV_G9NYsM:&imgrefurl=www.brockvilleshetlands.co.uk/&docid=opCfCLBp0hBe4M&imgurl=www.brockvilleshetlands.co.uk/pp/u" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.co.uk/imgres?num=10&hl=en&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbnid=1nuhZDV_G9NYsM:&imgrefurl=www.brockvilleshetlands.co.uk/&docid=opCfCLBp0hBe4M&imgurl=www.brockvilleshetlands.co.uk/pp/u

Original poster
BenefitScrounger · 21/09/2012 21:20

Sorry, am being a bit facetious. I am like littlemiss's friend; ie not a lot better off with a job perhaps, and before I wrote this thought I might actually LOSE my home if I got one.

That's really all. I don't have an agenda.

OP posts:
littlemisssarcastic · 21/09/2012 21:21

On MW you would pay just over £24 a week in tax and NI. Besides, the point everyone is trying to make I think is that you wouldn't be costing the taxpayer so much.

Toombs · 21/09/2012 21:21

Stay on benefits and you're there for life, a job even on MW is the start of the way out.

pumpkinsweetie · 21/09/2012 21:22

Why should every tax payer pay for you to delibretly be out of work ?
My dh has just been made redundant, all his reduncancy has gone on debts meaning we had to apply for jobseekers, something we wished we didn't have to do.
My dh unlike you has some pride, and in a few days of being on js has already applied for two jobs as we want to set a better example to our children.
So what you are a few quid worse off!!Angry, get your arse back into the jobmarket as you have absolutely no reason not to especially as you have no kids also.
Life doesn't come for free, when my dh was working his taxes go to people in need, but you are not you are lazy & bone idle.
We even had his days in lieu taxed by a grand-people work there arms off to fund your lifestyle it makes me sickAngry
I hope my dh finds work soon & if not i will and he will become sahd because never in a million years do i want us to end up getting the attitude you have!

Its JOBseekers for a reason-to seek a job

littlemisssarcastic · 21/09/2012 21:22

OP, If you are on the work programme, hasn't any of the job centre advisors actually advised you on whether you would lose your home by getting a job?

littlemisssarcastic · 21/09/2012 21:25

Also, I don't understand why it is ok to be even worse off financially than JSA??

I understand the wrath directed at the OP, but surely it's plain to see that it's not bloody right that anyone who is working should have to survive on less than JSA????
Why are so many people dismissive of how wrong it is to actually work ft and then be worse off than someone on JSA??

marriedinwhite · 21/09/2012 21:27

Just scrolled though this. Can't believe there is not one deleted post.

I'm not a Mnetty sweary but OP (and bows to clown) FFS. Get off backside, get to work and stop living off mine and dh's hard won earnings the state.

The state shouldn't give you more than you could earn. It is wrong, very very wrong. Researches revival of workhouses because you really shouldn't have a home, have warmth, have a full tummy or have choices about hobbies and voluntary work. Get thee to sewing post bags and scrubbing floors.

A tube has just rattled over the little iron bridge - trip trap, trip trap, trip trap.

pumpkinsweetie · 21/09/2012 21:27

I see what you are saying littlemiss but why cant op work two jobs if need be?

SirGOLDBoobs · 21/09/2012 21:28

People like you fuck me right off.

Firstly because it gives those of us that actually don't have an option other than to claim benefits a bad name.

And equally because I would give anything to be well enough to work. Anything. I have been chronically ill for over five years now, and not being able to do anything with my life is so fucking depressing.

Stop being both selfish and foolish, because one day, this "option" of working as you seem to view it as may well be taken away from you.

Angry
GoldShip · 21/09/2012 21:29

Little miss no one has said that its right. It is wrong. Because you get people like this abusing the system

GoldShip · 21/09/2012 21:29

But then again minimum wage is supposed to be enough for people to get by. As are benefits.

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