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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to own a cat while on benefits?

100 replies

ReputableBiscuit · 02/08/2014 09:57

My MiL says we are. We don't smoke, drink or go out, don't buy books or have a Sky package. We have a low rent and receive tax credits (working and child), disability benefits for DC and child benefit. Apparently we shouldn't have a pet cat?

OP posts:
MollyHooper · 03/08/2014 19:44

It's the business of neither her nor anyone else what you spend your money on.

If you want to watch sky whilst smoking a fag and resting a glass of wine on a copy of Jane Eyre you can, and she should keep her snout out.

RabbitSaysWoof · 03/08/2014 19:44

God if that's her reaction to a cat imagine if you booked a holiday Shock
or replaced your car ShockShockShockShock

FrankSaysNo · 03/08/2014 20:30

Surely the DC with complex medical needs gets DLA? DLA is to be used for the recipient. The cat makes your child happy. There is no 'problem'.

CarmineRose1978 · 03/08/2014 20:35

She is being massively unreasonable! My dad was out of work for a bit when I was a teenager and his friends suggested we get rid of our cat and dog to save on pet food. Fortunately both my parents thought this was horrible an idea! Pets should be part of the family.

SugarMouse1 · 03/08/2014 20:40

A cat doesn't cost much money though, does it?

provided it's spayed I don't see the problem, besides it would be cruel to suddenly get rid of it.

It does piss me off though when people on benefits are able to afford holidays/a car/ designer clothes/ kids get new bikes for Christmas- when many working people getting no extra benefits can't afford any luxuries!

Question though; does your child's disability actually cost you any EXTRA money? and what do you spend it on?

Feminine · 03/08/2014 20:46

I don't see working tax/tax credit as a "benefit" anyway. Definitely not the other two either.

Feminine · 03/08/2014 20:47

I don't see working tax/tax credit as a "benefit" anyway. Definitely not the other two either.

RabbitSaysWoof · 03/08/2014 20:54

SugarMouse OP cannot go to work now as she is a carer for her dc, loss of income would I'm pretty sure dent their finances more than DLA would boost them.

JustAShopGirl · 03/08/2014 20:56

working tax credits are means-tested, income-assistance benefits - I don't see how they do not qualify as benefits.

LiberalLibertines · 03/08/2014 20:58

If my cat ever stayed in for more than the 10 minutes it takes him to bolt his food, he'd bring me a lot of pleasure, but he doesn't! I never see him! Still love him though.

YANBU unreasonable op, tell your MIL to piss off, does your dh like the cat?

PhaedraIsMyName · 03/08/2014 21:01

I don't see working tax/tax credit as a "benefit" anyway. Definitely not the other two either

I don't either

I'm assuming Mil is being arsey (I really couldn't think of a better word) because for her "benefits =money paid to those not in employment=scroungers".

I don't think even if the OP and her family had no earned income whatsoever that it should preclude their having a pet.

SugarMouse1 · 03/08/2014 21:03

Rabbit-

Depends how much OP would earn and some people never intend to go back to work after they have kids, some people just don't want to work.

I know someone who doesn't, children in early 20's, they have a council house on this basis, that they are 'poor', the kids got maintenance grants to help with university, courtesy of the tax payer, even though it's entirely the choice of this woman to be so 'poor'.

Chiana · 03/08/2014 21:06

If her kids have gone on to uni, she must have been doing something right.

OP, your MIL is entirely the UR one here.

PhaedraIsMyName · 03/08/2014 21:08

working tax credits are means-tested, income-assistance benefits - I don't see how they do not qualify as benefits

Well that is a whole different argument isn't it? What would be the best way to describe central taxation system topping up the wages of people in work being paid less than anyone could realistically live on?

And in saying that I'm generally just to the right of centre.

I think actually the point is indeed they are tax credits, not benefits. The same way I get tax credits for paying into a pension scheme. It's all just part of the tax system.

PhaedraIsMyName · 03/08/2014 21:08

working tax credits are means-tested, income-assistance benefits - I don't see how they do not qualify as benefits

Well that is a whole different argument isn't it? What would be the best way to describe central taxation system topping up the wages of people in work being paid less than anyone could realistically live on?

And in saying that I'm generally just to the right of centre.

I think actually the point is indeed they are tax credits, not benefits. The same way I get tax credits for paying into a pension scheme. It's all just part of the tax system.

PhaedraIsMyName · 03/08/2014 21:08

working tax credits are means-tested, income-assistance benefits - I don't see how they do not qualify as benefits

Well that is a whole different argument isn't it? What would be the best way to describe central taxation system topping up the wages of people in work being paid less than anyone could realistically live on?

And in saying that I'm generally just to the right of centre.

I think actually the point is indeed they are tax credits, not benefits. The same way I get tax credits for paying into a pension scheme. It's all just part of the tax system.

ilovechristmas1 · 03/08/2014 21:17

of course they are benefits,means tested makes them a benefit

of course some on TC do not like to think of them as benefits.makes them feel superior i guess and not a scrounger like everybody else on benefits are labelled

ilovechristmas1 · 03/08/2014 21:22

op if you and your family have a cat then you go girl

i wish others would stop commenting on how people spend their money,it's hardly immoral having a cat,i could think of worse Smile

PhaedraIsMyName · 03/08/2014 21:25

Ilove who, apart from the Mil, has made any such comments? It's been a unanimous YANBU.

Bunbaker · 03/08/2014 21:25

"The cat brings us all happiness so I'm glad you see the point of her!"

Anyone who thinks cats are pointless should be shot Grin

PhaedraIsMyName · 03/08/2014 21:28

Oh sorry, didn't see certain posts. I've never had to claim any benefits to live on. I'm however generally sceptical at claims that those who do are living high on the hog.

ilovechristmas1 · 03/08/2014 21:32

I don't see working tax/tax credit as a "benefit" anyway. Definitely not the other two either

this

ilovechristmas1 · 03/08/2014 21:33

sorry posted same time as you phaed Smile

reallywittyname · 03/08/2014 21:34

if you have declared all the cat's earnings from earned income (i.e. mice/birds/other rodents the cat has caught) and unearned income (i.e. mice/birds/other rodents the cat has found or foraged and has brought home in order to fool you into thinking it's a mighty killer beast) and provided the cat is not working more than 16 hours a week or having more than two bedrooms to itself then YANBU

Grin

sorry, I am in a very silly mood tonight Grin Grin

Chiana · 03/08/2014 21:38

LOLOL, reallywittyname!!

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