To think this is wrong re Council tax

[Dryjuice25]

I had a letter from the council to say now I will be paying council tax, whereas I didn't have to do this previously as I haven't got gainful employment. I have young children.I also have debts and I'm currently studying for exams.

I feel this is unfair and it's effectively a 10% benefit cut. Anyone agree? I have not seen this on the news so I think it's beingdone sneakily as this might cause an uproar with the unemployed who already live in poverty having their income cut this way whilst big corporations getaway with paying very litle or no tax at all due to various tax loopholes. I have 3 kids and a newborn. I get CTC two of the children and ex claim for one of the children. I am desperate for a job I could ask any mumsnetters to pm me with any flexible or child friendly job offers please and very angry to have my benefit cut in a sneaky way like this and there is nothng I can do about it.

Anyoone got any letters like this?AIBU to be angry about this? I don't mind paying for council tax although its a pain in the bum but dontexpect a tax demand on income support!!

Please flame me not

[Dryjuice25]

Forever ' I have worked since I was 22' was directed at someone who said I'm a benefit monger. I'm 34 now and never been unemployed till last year. Like you, I remember working from young age washing neighbours' cars but that was cash in hand So, maybe not proper work.

I will put dc in nursery like I have done with the other 2dcs no problem.

Had an interview wednesday but they need someone more flexible, so not ideal for me and there was too much travel involved anyway. Feel like shit right now.

[forevergreek]

Sorry but I think £2.50 is perfectly acceptable to ask

Many pay the full price with less money left over for living

I'm not sure why ' I worked from age 22 is relevant'. You could be 23 for all we know. I myself as with many would have actually have to work many years before starting work at 22. Personally was earning from 15, so 7 years by that age. And that was throughout uni etc etc.

can you work on the days your ex has 2 children? Meaning only youngest in childcare?

[Dryjuice25]

I'm glad you're being treated for your depression. You sound like a really good mum and it goes without saying that your son thinks the world of you always although things might be difficult at the moment. Hopefully it's going to be warmer soon and we can all have a little break from the cold

[LithaR]

Well I'm being treated for severe depression at the moment. So the desire to pop off and leave him some insurance money isn't as bad now as it was.

But each day it gets harder to cope. Especially since I might have gotten caught pregnant again. I'm a fool and I hate that my life is like this. I wanted better things for my children than what I had. I'm just so tired of feeling cold and hungry.

[Dryjuice25]

Coola Started working at 22. Was at Uni (abroad)before that. And
not at the expense of taxpayer's money!
I'm honoured to have you adorning my thread giving it much needed rubbish perspective

LithaH I can't even begin to tell you how your dear son will be lost without you. Are you getting any help with caring for him? I wouldn't know how to advise you but I think you need to speak to someone who can point you in the right direction. Maybe your GP would be a good start?

Eminemmerdale I suppose cooking from scratch is relative to everybody. Personally, I buy all my ingredients I need and cook/bake all my meals at home and I dont buy any ready meals like before. I'm actually angry how much I used to spend on take aways before as I have managed to eat better on the cheap and that way you always know whats in your food anyway. It's been a steep learning curve. My baking is atrocious though but the dcs don't know this yet and I have a lot to learn.

[thekidsrule]

yes food banks are for the unemployed also

job centres can refer/provide vouchers

that's utter rubbish that they dont help the unemployed etc,somebody has mis informed you

it will deffo be worth you trying again to access your local foodbank

[Mandy2003]

You have to be referred to be able to use a foodbank, it is irrespective of whether you are working or not. Referrals come from GPs, social services, health visitors and so on. I would like to think JobCentres could refer too, as many people do (and will) need them as a result of benefit fuck-ups

But I read recently that there's a rule that you can only use a foodbank 3 times in 12 months!!!

[Viviennemary]

I've never heard that foodbanks were only for working families. I thought they were for anyone in need.

[eminemmerdale]

Why do people say 'cook from scratch'? what does it mean? I cook from things in my kitchen - is that 'from scratch'?

[thekidsrule]

lithaR your son would never be better of without you

kids dont need everything

i think many parents feel how you are at some point in their lives,life throws some crap cards to many,but your son is no way better of without you

we just have to keep going,things do get better

i shall remind myself of my own words when needed

[LithaR]

Its gotten to the point I have debated with myself whether my son would be better off without me. At least then my son would get adopted by someone who could give him what I can't.

[CoolaSchmoola]

I didn't call you a benefit monger or any thing else like that.

My problem is that the system is flawed. The point of benefits is to financially support those who are unable to support themselves. Paying benefits to people who have savings, and therefore have the means to support themselves for however long, makes a mockery of the purpose of the system and means that those who don't have anything still don't always have enough to heat and eat etc whilst money from the pot is paid to people who don't actually NEED it.

People with savings don't NEED benefits.

Obviously because the rules of the system say people with savings can claim, people will. The system is unfair and should be changed so that only people in financial need get financial support.

Our tax and NI pays for so many things and individuals use different services in different quantities that it makes the paid into the pot argument moot. You say that you have worked from 22, so I am assuming that you were a student until then? You also say this is the first time you have taken out of the system...

Extended child benefit is paid for students. Students don't pay for prescriptions, dentists or sight tests, various other things are subsidised for students, so you (and I) as an adult have taken from the pot previously.

But that doesn't change the fact that the reason you are able to claim is because the system says you can, so whilst I disagree with you I can see why you defend your right to do so - because in this system it IS your right...

But I believe that that right is in fact wrong.

[Viviennemary]

I can't see how you can only be getting £55 a week for you and your DC's. I think it's reasonable to ask people to make a small contribution towards Council Tax.

[Dryjuice25]

Just no need for repeating the phrase 'by the way',when complaining about repetition!

[thekidsrule]

ok

[thekidsrule]

so its ok for somebody that works to pay ct

but if you dont you should not

thats what it seems your saying

[Dryjuice25]

Just I didn't see anything that was not already mentioned that's all.
By the way the kids also rule in my household. Great name by the way! Love it.

[thekidsrule]

i dont think it was,thats why i commented

and yes i have been following this thread from the start

[Dryjuice25]

thekidsrule unnecessary post. See my previous responses

[thekidsrule]

we should pay toward services we all use

obviously on a sliding scale,like what is happening now

seriously whether your a single parent/pensioner or disabled,we are talking a couple of pounds a week

when i read on here that some are paying £150 + a month i can see why their angry but come on £10-20 a month

im not suprised the working poor get hacked of with these situations

[Dryjuice25]

Cooler I lived on my savings for a few months before claiming. And I worked since aged 22 and I didn't take kindly to being told I am a benefit monger when this is the first time I have ever felt the need for a little help. So whats your problem?

[CoolaSchmoola]

That was my point January. If people with savings had to use them FIRST then there would be less people on benefits so more money for people who are in such awful situations as LithaR.

When people have used their savings they then become eligible for benefits also receiving a better rate and everyone starts from the same point.

It's how care home funding works - if you have assets or savings you self fund. Once they are used society funds your care as long as you need it.

I believe in a system where those in need should receive help and support, I am not a benefit basher at all, but I also believe in fairness, and I don't think it is fair that people should take from the pot when they have savings, thereby reducing the pot and consequently the amount paid to those who have nothing.

It's unequal and that isn't right. If a person has the means to support themselves they should do that, so that people who don't have those means can receive enough support to be able to meet their needs.

When DH was made redundant we didn't WANT to spend his redundancy money on living, we WANTED to squirrel it away for a house deposit. But the truth was we didn't NEED to claim benefits because we could afford to live, on the money we would rather have saved. To have had all that money in the bank and have claimed felt morally wrong, even though we could have.

Benefits should go to those that NEED them, in amounts that meet those needs. It shouldn't be about whether a person has paid into the pot - 'I've worked long enough so now I'm taking out because I can' - it should be solely about NEED, and if you have money no matter what your situation, you aren't in financial need.

Wanting to keep savings, and claiming to enable doing so, isn't fair on those who literally can't live without benefits.

[Dryjuice25]

Lizs Of course I do.No need to ram it home.

Januarymadness Couldn't agree more. It does put things into perspective somewhat.

And whilst at it why can't we sort out the loopholes in thetax system that allow corporations who use services to pay zilch in tax. And milionaire politicians who can expense anything they like and the millions of bank bonuses awarded for failure. And make sure we create growth....and jobs so people like me can actually be able to pay tax rather than rely on benefits whilst professional skills are getting frittered. The world would be so much better won't it? Thats my utopia.

[Januarymadness]

Shouldnt the theory be that by NOT subsidizing people with significant savings there should be more money in the pot for people with genuine and immediate need. i.e. disabled people who have to choose between food and heating.

[LIZS]

Hope you feel duly humbled.