to worry that some people on benefits won't manage when payments are made monthly

[SuedeEffectPochette]

Of course, many people on benefits are doubtless great at managing a budget, but at the moment people are paid weekly, so if money runs out, it's only a day or so (still bad enough). But when payments are monthly, some people may have a couple of weeks of no money - what is going to happen to them? Also Housing Benefit won't be paid direct to landlords any more, which will lead to a massive increase in homelessness if that money is not passed on. If you have run out of money for food, you won't be paying any to your landlord will you? I think the government should stick to weekly payments.

[IneedAsockamnesty]

Then porridge no she does not get that amount in her hand.

She will get about £190pw in her hand to pay everything apart from rent and council tax.

[ReturnOfEmeraldGreen]

I work in debt advice and based on my experience I think a lot of people will really struggle with this, it should be an option not compulsory. I think housing associations in England would also like to help their tenants remain in their homes, btw

[scarlettsmummy2]

Porridge- how many children are you supporting on your own on that?

[pumpkinsweetie]

Things are looking bleak

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

porridge

You are looking at it wrong.

The reason that work doesnt pay is not that benefits are too generous. Its that wages are too low and living costs too high.

Benefits are set at the level people need to live on already. Making them lower wont make work pay, it will just create worse poverty.

[rhondajean]

How on earth do you take home £24 k from £40k? Are you paying pension contributions? Because you do realise how privileged that makes you...

I do agree people should be better off working. And once you find adequate qualifications, jobs and Childcare to let everyone do just that, let me know

[Bogeyface]

But, working has GOT to make people better off than being on benefits, hasn't it? And if benefits are too generous, it just isn't worth working.

No, it isnt that benefits are too generous, they cover the absolute basics (trust me on this). What makes it worth working is a decent living wage, so the government should be focussing on increasing NMW to a level where a family with one working adult can survive without claiming anything. But they wont do that because the very people whose votes they want are the people who run the businesses paying a pittance. And they say that you cant buy votes.....

[IneedAsockamnesty]

Working does pay, due to disregards from income and the HB system, unless your in private and your house is loads over the LHA

[porridgewithalmondmilk]

Sock - she really does, I have seen bank statements (not in a nosy way she asked me to help!) I won't pretend to be an expert but I have seen what she gets and it is all from state benefits. Plus the nursery placements and other things she is entitled to of course.

Bogey - I'm in agreement with you about the decent living wage actually and I completely agree that benefits aren't generous to some people - however to others they are and are at least comparable to what someone would get working (which I agree is too low.)

I've never been entitled to claim benefits. However I was homeless for a few months in my early twenties and the lady at the Job Centre actually suggested I get pregnant! No word of a lie!

[Bogeyface]

The nursery placements are available to every child aged 3, its part of the early years education program for the childs benefit not the mothers.

If she was working say 24 hours a week on NMW then she would be entitled to claim HB, Council Tax benefit and would get a fair whack in child and working tax credits plus her CB. She WOULD be better off in a job.

[Bogeyface]

Sorry meant to add.....whether she chooses to live on benefits and only have the bare minimum as opposed to some of lifes luxuries (like not getting ripped off with 1000% APR if she needs a loan for a new washing machine), then thats up to her. But life is definitely easier with a job.

[marriedinwhite]

I haven't read all of this but people with jobs have to manage being paid monthly; why should that expectation be different for people who are given money for not working. If they can't budget they will have to take responsibility for the mess they are in. Most will soon learn after a month of hunger and cold and in the longer term they will have learnt a valuable life lesson. Life is tough. It it hard work if you work; it shouldn't be easier if you don't. That comment is not meant for those who can't work btw; just for those who can work but don't.

[IneedAsockamnesty]

Porridge,there is no legal way that she can be getting more than the gov says she needs to live on each week for her household circumstances.

These are the same for everybody with her family size.

Some benefits also have a impact on other benefits either raising them or as is the case with IS where no carer element is paid reducing them.

If she's in social housing as you said she was up thread then her rent would usually go straight to the LA as would her ctb so these would not be on her account. It would be extremely unusual for HB to go to a tenant who is in social housing (LHA - for private rents is different)

So assuming she is not breaking the law or committing fraud then no you didn't see proof of this in her bank statement.

[IneedAsockamnesty]

Oh good god, married, did you have to jump in with that couldn't you have left it, just once.

Its a lot harder to make smaller amounts stretch over a month,that should be obvious

[twofingerstoGideon]

No, Sock, I don't think she can...
This bit: 'Most will soon learn after a month of hunger and cold...' is particularly charming. Who cares if children are cold or hungry, after all?

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

That comment is not meant for those who can't work btw; just for those who can work but don't.

This is my favourite part.

Lets line them all up and decide who is worthy.

[Bogeyface]

Lets line them up against who could have empathy but wont Wanna and match them shot for shot......

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Yes. Sounds about right.

[marriedinwhite]

Working people don't get paid weekly any more. Why should people who don't work be paid weekly. I thought it was an expectation that all people were treated equally. No? If working people have to budget over a month; shouldn't non working people do so. Wouldn't that make things easier in the longer term - like when they might get a job and be paid monthly.

[marriedinwhite]

Read the last sentence of my post please. That comment is not meant for those who can't work btw; just for those who can work but don't.

Now do excuse me; I have to go to bed - you know need to get up in the morning for work.

[IneedAsockamnesty]

Lots of working people do get paid weekly.

[IneedAsockamnesty]

I would go to sleep as well if I wasn't on call

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

We did read the last sentence.

I even quoted it.

It was just as ridiculous as the rest.