Using benefits to go private

[Madhouse05]

Ok, I know this Mum who is receiving 'in work tax credits' and other benefits. She is now using the 'extra' money to send her kid to private school (like 12k a year one). Her lifestyle is not luxurious but she's def not going without (drives a 'desirable' car blah blah).....AIBU to think that if you can use the 'extra cash' for something like this you are not in need of propping up by the state and that this is wasting other tax payers money that could pay for things like the NHS....

There is little thing called a bursary. Not only does the very expensive private school have fab bursary, but they also help the children who wouldn't normally apply prepare for the school way of live.

Don't be such a stupid arse
How much do you think tax credits are?

We had bursaries for all 3 dc to go to private school. 2 dc had 95% remission, 1dc had 100% .with what the school included it was cheaper for us than sending them to the local comp! I got tax credits because I earned nmw. No luxurious lifestyle here. And tax credits gave us top up to what is decreed to be a basic amount to live on.

I've been a full time single mum, with a child at independent school on a 50% bursary, earning £27k with £20 a week in tax credits. So yes technically I was getting tax credits but believe me I paid all her fees myself and the £20 would barely cover her expenses for a week!

Bursary, child's father, child's grandparents, some other benefactor, won it in a raffle, child won a scholarship, child won a grant, has an envious curtain-twitching 'friend' she should ditch ...

It's almost a relief to see one of these threads. Almost.

On balance though, you're being a bit of a twat OP. Try being a bit less judgemental.

Hahahaaa. Very funny. Now DFOD.

Dont worry now we have left the Eu tax credits will probably go anyway.

Well, if she's a low paid single mum, also getting money from the child's father, she could see it as spending tax credits on private fees, but really it will be the father paying the fees.

Here, have my first

Yes Mr Farage - is this your next "political" sound bite?

We had a thread on here recently about whether after school clubs count as "child care costs" for tax credits. I went and looked up the regulations sad case and they do.

Is it possible your friend meant that the childcare element of her working tax credits goes towards the costs of wrap around care at her child's school?
In this is the case then she is using the tax credits for exactly what they are intended for- childcare to allow her to work.

I agree with pp that if her income is low enough for tax credits then she is proabably getting a hefty discount on the fees, if not a complete waiver. I think her child must be very bright to have earned that.

If she is receiving ANY benefits of ANY description, it is up to HER and no-one else how they are spent.

There are NO should/shouldn't rules and nor should there be.

I'm sure you'd advocate "benefits" (I really hate that term too) being replaced with vouchers for specific shops were people had to show their receipts each week as evidence before getting the next set

You sound snide.

and my first too.

OP why do you even care? You come across as a jealous, judgemental bitch. It's really none of your business is it

She's trolling you, OP. She obviously senses you're very gullible.

Play along. Tell her your kids don't have time for anything as bourgeois as education because you've got all 27 of them out cleaning chimneys.

I've absolutely no idea if this is possible but I do know a child who lives with her mum in a lovely two bed flat in centralish London (they are Russian). The mother has a profession in her own country but here they live on benefits. The child has a full bursary for one of London's most sought after day schools and s very clever. The child deserves this. However, I do think the mother should and could be encouraged to work and to contribute - even just a little - in Russia she was a Dr but can't requalify here apparently. They have a very good life and I think the mother should not be able to live entirely on benefits.

Oh stop your wanky attitude. There are scholarships, bursaries etc. available. In fact, I only found out a few weeka ago that I was eligible for a tiny amount of Tax Credits. Should I no longer put my son for the full scholarships he is eligible for due to his father's death because of that?

Ooh maybe this is me!

Ds is private (his dad pays school fees instead of maintenance as he lives abroad and CMS can't touch him)

I used to get working tax credits cos my wage was so shite. It's marginally better now I have moved companies and got a promotion, but that's only in the last few months.

Should I have sent him to the local comp to be in keeping with my tax credit receiving status?!

My dd tax credits pay for her tuition fees, uniform, travel, we couldn't afford it any other way.

It is quite possible for people to get £12k in tax credits. Perhaps she gets generous child maintainence and uses that for housing, food etc then uses the tax credits for school fees ? She would need a few kids and a low income to get that much but it's perfectly possible.

I'm really glad you posted, I've friends on low incomes similar to your friend. However the tax credits/benefits etc don't seem to be anywhere near as generous as what you are describing. I'd go as far as saying their life is really fucking hard despite the fact they put in some seriously long shifts. They sometimes can't heat their home and rely on their wider family for food shopping. If it's possible to fund 12k school fees and a fab car then please share the secret.

Good luck to her and her child!