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.

People are concerned about the vulnerable who (in your words) cant work. This is usually because they have chaotic lives, addictions, or need support in some way.

A couple of posters, myself included, have welcomed monthly payments. Im still concerned about others though. Its called empathy

Perhaps if you were a little more polite I'd offer come professional coaching foc. Tailor the application to job spec, ensure there are no spelling mistakes, evidence how you can meet the spec with good examples, volunteer in the meantime, and pitch applications lower if necessary. The market is turning; be ready to meet it. Volunteer; do odd jobs, run the PTA fair - all things you can put a positive spin on for an application form.

Before interview think of questions which relate to the person spec; write them out and focus - it will help have relevant answers on the tip of your tongue at the interviews.

Bogeyface I hope you and h get something very soon. I feel your pain its hard out there some people sitting in their ivory towers just dont know what it is like

Yes. We need to improve ourselves. We are inadequate. Nothing to do with the state of the job market.

DP got offered a job last week. The next day the offer was withdrawn. Why? The JC found someone who had been on JSA longer and they were cheaper.

Married I do all that you have said in post dont think you can get lower than applying for min wage job oh just let you know I'm dislexic so please before you point out my spelling mistakes don't.

"Perhaps if you were a little more polite I'd offer come professional coaching foc. Tailor the application to job spec, ensure there are no spelling mistakes, evidence how you can meet the spec with good examples, volunteer in the meantime, and pitch applications lower if necessary. The market is turning; be ready to meet it. Volunteer; do odd jobs, run the PTA fair - all things you can put a positive spin on for an application form.

Before interview think of questions which relate to the person spec; write them out and focus - it will help have relevant answers on the tip of your tongue at the interviews. "

no, really how many hours a day do you have to practise for to be this ignorant?

Lots of shit in that post, but that pretty much sums it up right now! :o

The ones I'm most concerned about are people like my clients,

People with long term mental health problems but not considered serious enough to warrant any disability benefits,

People fleeing domestic violence where financial abuse has been an issue

People coming out of the care system

Women leaving the sex industry or those who are here because of sex trafficking

Teenagers who have been young carers.

Anyone that with a disability that is not lucky to get the unconditional group but still requires a carer.

Thats 2 people who have flounced today. Both saying similar things.

I think it might be sinking in. But they will never admit it.

Bogeyface

Anywaaay, back to the OP. I have had a look and cant find anything that says that there will be allowances made for those in vulnerable situations. I kind of get the feeling that once it is pointed out often enough there will be a backtrack on this, like there was about the exams fiasco.

Sock it was the young people that worried me most, probably because of the age of my DC, but it seems to me that they are most likely to be the ones who end up begging or as prostitutes as they will be taken advantage of. Those leaving care I think will be particularly vulnerable to that.

fwiw married, everyone is entitled to an opinion. it just carries alot more weight if they make it an informed one. wading in with ignorant daily mail regurgitations is going to get the response it deserves TBH.

As far as I can tell there are no plans to do payments differently for more vulnerable groups

Over here (Canada) things like social assistance (welfare) and child benefit are paid out monthly. People pay their landlords directly, not the government.
Although I would say 90% of people manage to budget for the whole month, it only takes one or two big mistakes for that other 10% to find themselves in real trouble.
There is very little social housing in Canada, almost all renting is done privately. It means most cities, towns and villages have some form of a ghetto, where people end up in crummy apartment buildings, rooming houses or 'by the week' motels.
There are food banks in most towns, but because they rely on donations, people are often only allowed to visit them once a month.
I really hope that if your government transitions to monthly payouts, that they provide access to financial counseling for those that might need it.

The rest of us that live on a wage can manage it, I don't see why people on benefits can't. It's not rocket science, and people on benefits won't be the only ones living on whatever's left in the cupboard or freezer at the end of the month

You really have no idea have you?

Lots of people on benefits (and quite a few working) use a prepaid meter for electricity. If it runs out the day before you get your money then you can use the 'emergency' or sit in the dark for a day.

Once payments are monthly then you will be sitting in the dark for a week and your freezer (if you have one) will defrost.

Actually the idea of someone on benefits having a freezer is laughable. I only had one because I'd bought it before I had to claim.

There are still people without bank accounts. If I go to the post office on certain days of the week there is a queue of people getting their benefit. They take out the cash, pay for a week's gas, electricity, TV licence and pocket the rest for shopping.

They will do the same with monthly, but they will be carrying a lot more cash which it is very easy to spend.

It is much harder to budget monthly if you are on a low wage or benefits or both.

I wouldn't say it is harder to budget for a month at a time, but it is far more important, as each choice has more impact.
People are adaptable, and can learn new skills if given the opportunity.
Of course some people will struggle with it, but I am sure there are also people struggling with planning a week at a time now.
What is important is that people are being taught how to budget, to plan ahead, to organize their finances.

Benefit rules have been tightened so much that there most people left claiming are vulnerable in one or many ways: they have mental health issues, learning disabilities, serious physical disabilities or terminal health conditions; or they have children who have disabilities or who are very young; or they're leaving care or fleeing violence or are just out of long-term hospital care; or they are just out of prison or have drug and alcohol dependencies...

The few left on the dole who are readily 'employable' - who have good life and work skills - will probably do OK when their money is paid monthly; but many many others will really struggle.

It is not like receiving a monthly wage, because the benefit rates are so low: a person over 25/a parent over 18 currently get 'up to' £284 per month. Under 25s and couples get less per person. All the signs are that rates will freeze or even go down.

Once benefits are paid monthly into bank accounts, all landlords, utility companies and creditors will insist on direct debit payments made on, or the day after, the benefit payment day.

Most claimants will find themselves left with next-to-nothing, or nothing, or in fact in overdraft - immediately after benefit day.

And there will be claimants - and their children - who do not eat for days on end. Nobody should fool themselves that this will not happen.

I work but I am really looking forward to u c being paid monthly. It will be much easier to pay people I need to pay such as nursery etc.

I do think people who need extra help will recieve it.However whoever wrote 1600 a month is hard to live on with 555 rent and council tax then I dont agree at all.I am not a single mum and have qn extra adult qnd we have more than enough money left on this wage.

Did married flounce last night? I was in bed.

To respond to an earlier post, you are right, there is no indication at present that there will be any leeway for the more vulnerable to be paid weekly, or even to have housing costs paid directly, I hope think it will happen eventually though once there is a god awful mess

Not implying it's a bad thing for everyone btw, I think for the capable monthly probably is the way to go but there are as others have said a huge amount of benefits claimants who this will be a disaster for.

The solution for now - ill repeat it in case you can all help anyone you know - get to the credit union for a budgeting account. It releases only a certain amount of money at a time.