To be quite shocked at how much benefits bil receives!

[Santandery]

Before I begin, this isn't a benefits bashing post. I have been on benefits during hard times and am extremely grateful that we have this in this country. I am just very surprised at how the system is very messed up. It seems fair and unfair too if that makes sense.

It's after discussing this with family that I came to realise. I am quite shocked at the amount that BIL is getting. He has 4 kids, earns around 21k and receives around £13k in benefits. £10k from tax credits and around £3k child benefit. So his total income is £34k! He has no mortgage as he bought a house through buy to let. I know all this because he told us. He also refuses to get a higher paid job as he says he'll receive less tax credits so the extra commute responsibility isn't worth it to him. The increase in income woukd be quite small anyway.

I just think that's a bit too much to be honest. I mean there will be ppl in smaller homes with mortgages with similar size family who earn more in wages but because of tax take home less money.

I think this is really unfair.

@Shrodingerslion £200 pw = £10400 so the tax credits figure looks correct

Shrodingerslion I don't know what website you went on but I've just been on entitled to and put in an income of 21k with 4 kids and sure enough he is right.

Santandery
He also refuses to get a higher paid job as he says he'll receive less tax credits so the extra commute responsibility isn't worth it to him

Don't blame him! Just look at the threads on here upset about Dad not being able to help out due to work commitments.

Sounds like he's sussed out a work/family balance well.

What have you linked to Shroedinger? £200 a week is £10k a year.

I know a few people who live like your BiL and they are struggling now the kids are becoming adults so he does need to bear this in mind.

£200 a week is about 10k. The figures are probably right. Those of us who actually claim it say it seems about right compared to theirs.

Yes the system is a mess.

Yes that was my point. He is correct.

It was to the poster that said they doubt it is true.

Its a site that is a two second calculation for tax credits per week which I have found quite accurate rather than trawling through the government one.

Its more than £34 a year when you take tax into account as well.

But the system is what it is. I wouldn't vilify your BIL for simply being in the system. The system needs to change. Wages are too low.

Well I am going wrong somewhere! I have 3 children. Dp is a SAHD, i earn 18k and receive £5200 child tax credits a year, no working tax cred. I get £1 pw housing benefit.
I am not complaining, i am ok for money, i just don't get how tax creds can vary so much with each person.

Love it when people say 'you are wrong I put it into the online
Calculator'. You don't know the entire circumstances to put correct figures in.

It’s a short(ish) term benefit though with his thinking- as they will ‘loose’ £13k eventually as the kids grow up. Although it also means your SIL will be able to or have to get a job.

The injustice here (such as it is) isn't benefits. Its right to buy.

Love it when people say 'you are wrong I put it into the online
Calculator'. You don't know the entire circumstances to put correct figures in.

It is just too show that it’s an actual possibility not that we definitely know all of the facts.

Well I am going wrong somewhere! I have 3 children. Dp is a SAHD, i earn 18k and receive £5200 child tax credits a year, no working tax cred. I get £1 pw housing benefit.

Do you get childcare costs? As this does seem quite low if you dont?

Shroedinger's calculator would suggest you are entitled to more Iput

Yep, while us disabled people with partners have to somehow live on £540 a month and take the costs of our disabilities out of that too. Absolutely disgusting.

Santandery is your friend going to appeal the decision not to award PIP? Worth a go.

I don't get childcare costs. I get £100 pw.
Dp looks after our 2 year old during the day, he does the school run for 4 year old and 10 year old. Our 2 year old isn't in a nursery at all.
We survive, DP does the shopping and he will buy beautiful food really cheaply. He can cook a beautiful meal with a low budget. If it was me doing the shopping and cooking we would be skint! I think that is the only reason we don't struggle for money.
I thought what I received was a decent amount! I owe tax creds no money at all!
So based on your predictions how much would you say I would be entitled to!
I don't think I will fight it, no point, that money is not needed. Just interested to know.

As pps have said he's not doing anything wrong, the fault really is with the system. You've had successive government policies which have kept wages suppressed and a benefit system that encourages dependency ie getting a better paid job/accepting a promotion would mean negligible difference in income because of the reduction or loss of benefits. I don't think this is particularly unusual, you're largely describing my bil and his family and yes they do ok. Not necessarily "well off" but not struggling either.

Unfortunately the system that works fine for them is the same system that sees people living in real poverty, unable to afford to have the heat on, disabled people having their benefits cut and parents eating one meal a day to ensure their dc are fed. It's very flawed but not the fault of the individuals it applies to.

Iput Money is always needed, put it away for your child.

He's just another playing the system, you'll find lots of posters on here that do just the same and used tax credits to do the minimal between them.

It's one of the reasons I'm behind UC, it doesn't go far enough but it's harsher than tax credits and finally has a cap on the number of children other taxpayers have to support. Hopefully, in time, it will be tweaked and tightened even more.

Looking at the calculations then if you owe them nothing you should if you ate full time have approx £177 a week.
I earn £24k and get £18 a week so the calculator works for me.

I am not sure how to appeal it either as I have heard tax credits can be a law unto themselves.

I don’t underestimate the personal bureaucracy involved in simply understanding these entitlements, let alone then applying for them

It's a valid point, but while I can't speak for other areas my East Midland city's council funds a large facility which advises on benefit entitlement and helps people to apply

There's also the (separate) Citizens Advice office which does similar, as well as the more targeted help available from organisations who support disabilities, seniors, mental health, recent arrivals to the UK and much more

In what way is he playing the system though Boxsets? I mean Op says he works and owns his home, other posters have done the calculations and confirmed that yes, this is their entitlement. So how is he playing it?

@TinklyLittleLaugh thats an idea! If I appeal we could split the difference between the 3 and put it into their savings! I might wait until the renewal and then question it! X