To be really really pissed off with the benefit system?

[Inshock73]

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.

spacey the OP can't afford to be on mat leave. She can't afford the M&S ones!

Spacey

Haha posted on the wrong bloody thread. Ignore!!!

Wow! I'm shocked at how bitter and resentful so many posters are.

I can't see anything wrong in OP's request. If as she says she has worked full time for 24 years and will be returning to work full time in 4 months, and I'm presuming by her age this will be her only child, I really can't see anything wrong in her wanting to care for her child herself for the first year. How can you begrudge someone that experience? Whether you've been able to have it yourself or not. I'm shocked at how many of you see this as an unreasonable request. You don't know her personal circumstances, you don't where she lives, she might live in London which as everyone knows is mega expensive whether you have a mortgage or rent. Everyone saying she should have saved for her maternity leave people save for years etc, it's poor money management, she must have savings etc, how do you know the baby was planned?? It might have been unexpected. You're all presuming she' must have a lot of capital because she's paid a lot in taxes but you don't know how her money is spent. I have a friend who is a high earner but he pays for his parents residential care home at £2k a month, end result being he's no better off than an average earner each month.

I think it's really sad that so many posters feel that just because they had to return to work quickly or couldn't afford to stay home for a little longer that no one else should be able to.

Oh and before you all start jumping up and down with the 'that's not what the benefit system is for etc' if she's paid thousands in taxes and will be returning to work and paying thousands in takes again for the next however many years, and she's only got one child so will presumably receive child benefit for one child, will put one child through the education system, the NHS etc....unlike many posters who have several children so it you really want to get down to the nitty gritty of how much each of us 'costs' the tax payer and how much we should be entitled to, I don't think she's costing the tax payer much at all!

she's only got one child so will presumably receive child benefit for one child, will put one child through the education system, the NHS etc....unlike many posters who have several children so it you really want to get down to the nitty gritty of how much each of us 'costs' the tax payer and how much we should be entitled to, I don't think she's costing the tax payer much at all!

By that logic those that don't have children should get a rebate

I would also add that although it's unfortunate, it is up to people to save for care / sell their house to pay for care if needed. The amount spent on pensions is already very high, residential care should not also be subsidised. I feel for your friend but that's poor planning on his part.

Even if the op has fallen pregnant unexpectedly, it is sensible to save a few months wages just in case anything happens - in which case, she'd be able to afford to stay off for the desired few months

*poor planning on his parents part

Don't get the logic of costing the state less if you only have one child. Surely on average every person pays for their own childhood by paying taxes in their own adulthood.

oh fgs most of us take out more than what were are ever going to put in

some real higher than though attitudes on here

You're right Seas although I would call it straightforward nastiness. MN is getting out of hand and a lot of posts aren't supportive or subjective they're simply giving people a platform to be bitchy and unkind.

Nobody is saying op shouldn't have time off. Just that if she does, it will be on a lower income. Ops partner earns national average, which is well above breadline/ benefit levels. Therefore op has the choice of living on that or returning to work. The point is benefits aren't there to allow people to choose to stay at home, and still have the same lifestyle

YABU, as maternity benefits are currently the most generous they've ever been in the UK. It is a shame about your contract ending, however. It's not a choice between full time work or nothing, though.