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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be really really pissed off with the benefit system?

188 replies

Inshock73 · 05/01/2016 16:35

I just want to have a rant really....

I've worked since I was 15 (part time) and full time since I was 18, that's 24 years, I've paid hundreds of thousands in income tax and now find myself with a much wanted first baby at 42 and in a tricky financial position. I was on a contract in my last employment and that was terminated when I went on maternity leave (all legal and above board) and I've been on SMP. My SMP has now stopped so I've enquired as to whether I can get any financial help so I can be at home with her until she's one, which is another four months. Basically no I can't because my partner is considered to be earning enough, he earns the national average. I'm so angry! I know several people who are lying to the benefits agency, living with partners and claiming they're not! How is this benefits system fair? I don't believe you pay in to get out, I'm only looking for help for just a few months until I go back to full time work and start paying income tax again!

Rant over.

OP posts:
MaisyMooMoo · 05/01/2016 21:46

I'm happy that you're having your 'much wanted first baby' however as it is planned I would class it as a life event, much like if I chose to take a career break to go travelling around the world. Despite paying tax all my life, I would expect anyone else to fund my trip. Sorry if that comes across as harsh.

MaisyMooMoo · 05/01/2016 21:47

wouldnt* expect is what I meant! Confused

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 05/01/2016 21:58

I didn't say that maternity leave should be 5 years, just that income support and maternity leave should be of the same length.

Why shouldn't maternity allowance be paid for a full year.

Op isn't asking a lot just 12 months off after working 24 years and paying taxes.

redhat · 05/01/2016 22:00

We have an extremely generous maternity system compared to some countries. To expect the tax payer to fund a whole year is crazy.

redhat · 05/01/2016 22:01

And the OP isn't asking for 12 months off. She can have that.

She's asking for 12 months off funded by taxpayers.

expatinscotland · 05/01/2016 22:02

'Wish we were more like the Nordic countries with generous support for new parents.'

And pay the great taxes they do, too?

Shutthatdoor · 05/01/2016 22:05

Op isn't asking a lot just 12 months off after working 24 years and paying taxes.

12 months off isn't a problem. Expecting benefits to pay for it is.

Many people pay taxes for many years but 'get nothing back' It isn't a bank where you pay in and withdraw when when you want.

Lurkedforever1 · 05/01/2016 22:07

Misunderstood piper. In that case then of course everyone is entitled to the same, income support until the child is 5. Except nobody sane would deliberately choose to live on £70 a week would they? ( I take it you're aware nobody is entitled to income support if their earned income is above that?) Absolutely no reason op or anyone else can't put themselves in that position if they think any lone parent or mum with a disabled/ unemployed partner is 'lucky' to be able to survive on that till the child is school age.

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 05/01/2016 22:18

It's not just £70.

It also housing benefit, council tax benefit, heathy start tokens, child tax credits and child benefit.

All I am saying is if the government deems a lone parent can not work until the youngest is 5 why can't working parents have just 1.

TheSecondViola · 05/01/2016 22:24

Bullhockey have you paid hundreds of thousands in tax. If you wanted longer off you should have saved more from your huge salary then.
Your family income is above the level for benefits. End of story.

Babyroobs · 05/01/2016 22:27

If a previously working parent chooses to stay home rather than return to work they will get help to fund their choice through child tax credits if the household income is low enough. The threshold rises with each child so if you have 2 or 3 kids and a partner on average wage you will get a good chunk in tax credits.

Maiziemonkey · 05/01/2016 22:27

Ring the tax credits office as it's worth checking out. Tell them how long you've been on amp as I seem to remember that's important- when doing yearly income you only count the bit over £100 from each week, so you might come in under the threshold, sorry if you don,t it's hard going back , after my first it was when he was 7 months, like u didn't know about tc's with second I was off the year, I had saved about same amount each time.

Maiziemonkey · 05/01/2016 22:28

You can also ask to go back diff hrs, flex time or part time, they have to fully consider it legally

HelenaDove · 05/01/2016 22:28

I was working in a sex chatline office from early 2001 to early 2003 OP I earnt £5.50 - £6.00 an hour.

You have bought into more than one rhetoric.

And im not ashamed of having done this job OP.

Babyroobs · 05/01/2016 22:34

Sahm's with a partner can be funded through tax credits to stay at home until their youngest child leaves full time education which could be 20+ years, wheras a lone parent can only claim Income support for 5 years ( soon to be lowered to 3)before they have to work at least 16 hours.

Lurkedforever1 · 05/01/2016 22:47

Exactly babyroob. And if the partners income is more than the tax credits threshold, the parent can still stay at home as long as they like. Provided they don't mind living on a low income. And like I said, if lone parents are so lucky, nothing stopping anyone from trying it.

We won't even start on the fact a lone parent has it a hell of a lot harder physically and emotionally as well as financially. Or the fact just like the naice mums in relationships, lone parents have often 'paid in' prior and after finding themselves on their own. Let's just big up the joy of income support. Which unless they are lucky enough to get a council house will be paying towards the rent too.

HairForNow · 05/01/2016 22:48

We're extremely lucky in the UK compared to the US. I'm not talking about exact facts, but they get something like 2 weeks maternity leave/pay, can be fired during pregnancy/maternity leave. Hats why a lot of American women don't go back to work, or go back at 3 months etc, think Rachel on friends. We're amazingly lucky to get SMP as long as we do.

seasidesally · 05/01/2016 22:54

my friend has a 3yr old and is on IS and a SP she often has to attend the jobcentre at regular times

its all changed from a couple of years ago,its not just the standard interview it used to be its not much differrent from signing on

its no easy walk being on IS like it was when mine were young,very differrent now

fastdaytears · 05/01/2016 23:04

No issue with sex chat lines but very Hmm about OP having paid hundreds of thousands of pounds in tax...

BombadierFritz · 05/01/2016 23:32

24 years of earnings is probably a fair bit of tax though? Its not relevant to the argument, but it could easily be over 100k (i guess 200k is a bit more of a stretch)

knobblyknee · 05/01/2016 23:42

But you are entitled to jobseekers, so how is any of this 'unfair'?

If you really know people who are claiming fraudulently, what does that have to do with the fairness of the system?

YABBU. Stop ranting, find out what you are entitled to, claim it. You are all over the place.

Puddlejumpingqueen · 05/01/2016 23:52

BombadierFritz you are right, I just worked out what the average wage would pay in tax over 24 years and it came to approx £150,000. Not that this makes a difference to the posters predicament but just as a there you go really.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 06/01/2016 02:04

Lurkedforever1 just like the naice mums in relationships...

Hmm

Is there any need for that? I'm assuming you're a lone parent - you want a medal or something?

fidel1ne · 06/01/2016 06:13

I think income support should be in line with Maternity leave.

Currently an unemployed parent can have 5 years of fix payments without attempting to find a job while a employed parent only has 9 months of maternity pay.

Not if they have a partner who is earning Piper.

Unemployed couples can claim JSA like everyone else (parents or not).

Single parents (inc men) who have no job can only claim IS if they are pregnant, a carer, or their child is under 5.

So no relationship with maternity, really.

I can't really find it in myself to begrudge anyone who has lost their relationship and their job in such short order, £73.10 per week.

fidel1ne · 06/01/2016 06:21

Is there any need for that?

Yes, there was a need for that.

I'm assuming you're a lone parent - you want a medal or something?

Nice Hmm

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