Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be quite shocked at how much benefits bil receives!

212 replies

Santandery · 06/05/2018 10:46

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.

OP posts:
Heyduggeesflipflop · 06/05/2018 15:19

We are straying into the question of why footballers are paid millions but (more worthy) occupations are not

The caring profession is essential. But it is also - generally - low skilled and easy to access. That makes for low wages.

Unfortunately wages are not linked to ‘worthiness’ they are linked to supply and demand.

If we had a socialist society and all got paid the same we would still have the same problem as people would simply vhoose a simpler job than carer

TinklyLittleLaugh · 06/05/2018 15:25

Confussed your SiL and her DH are absolute fools not to claim everything the system legally entitles them to. Do they think those at the top of the pay scale don't exploit every legal loophole they can to pay less tax? Or that employers are thinking about morality when they screw wages as low as possible?

Who knows what the future holds for your SiL, chances are that she wiil pay her share into the system once her kids are older.

Sockwomble · 06/05/2018 15:25

"That’s a curious comment - are you saying working class breed working class?"

No I am saying very few would choose to do those jobs and I want for my child, carers and TAs who have chosen those roles.

Pinkprincess1978 · 06/05/2018 15:52

I'm less bothered by how much he is getting than his refusal to get a better paid job as 'it's not worth it'. I know so many people who don't think think they should work more hours (or even work) as they won't be better off when benefits reduce. I work with someone who was offered full time hours but turned it down as he thinks he would be working for nothing as his tax credits will reduce.

I love that we have a country that supports our people in need but we should when we can earn our own money which frees it up for those that actually need it. Maybe we wouldn't be in such a state and those genuinely in need would get what they need if those that can earn more choose to do so.

wibblywobblyfish · 06/05/2018 16:40

Between me and DP we earn about £42k a year. We have DS2 in receipt of higher rate Dla. 3 kids in total and we still get tax credits. All benefits added together we receive about 53k total income per year before taking off the tax DP pays on his wages. We have a tiny mortgage and no other proper debt apart from a small amount of HP in a car as we have always lived frugally

RoseWhiteTwat · 06/05/2018 17:01

*"this isn't a benefits bashing post"

Hmm
awishes · 06/05/2018 18:01

There is no public sector job security these days!

jnfrrss · 06/05/2018 18:32

Won't he loose all of that tax credits once he's moved onto UC?

jnfrrss · 06/05/2018 18:37

You're not a fool if you don't claim all you can, it doesn't mean the money is burnt!

If you don't need it don't claim it imo.

Walkingdeadfangirl · 06/05/2018 18:44

The benefits cap should include earned income. So benefits can only be paid to top up earnings to a max of 20k and no more over that. Its scandals that people are refusing extra work because they have a cushy life on benefits.

DeloresJaneUmbridge · 06/05/2018 18:51

The thing is that one day his kids will grow and he will lose the benefits. He might then wish he had tried for better paid work etc.

Money will be very tight when he is older.

Atthebottomofthesea · 06/05/2018 19:42

jn tax credits will still be paid under UC but savings will be taken into account and also I fear that something will come out that will mean everyone can only get it for 2 children. As far as I know even in roll out areas those with 3 or more children are still exempt.

I say fear because I don't know if it has ever been fully said one way or the other so people could get a massive shock.

Bramble71 · 06/05/2018 19:48

You could use the benefit calculator on turn2us and put in the relevant family info (or as much as you have) and see if the figure is realistic?

Sofabitch · 07/05/2018 07:23

But presumably his wife could get a job... and earn more than the tax credits? Why is that not being considered rather than him having to get a better job ?

Highhorse1981 · 07/05/2018 07:37

The thing is that one day his kids will grow and he will lose the benefits. He might then wish he had tried for better paid work etc.

But husband outgoings will be likely considerably less

saison4 · 07/05/2018 07:37

But presumably his wife could get a job... and earn more than the tax credits? Why is that not being considered rather than him having to get a better job ?

because childcare for 4 DC would cost a lot more than his wife earns? even if the DC are in school, there is before and after school childcare and the school hols. With 4 DC, this will add up to ridiculous amounts.

Highhorse1981 · 07/05/2018 07:38

Sorry his outgoings

LakieLady · 07/05/2018 07:41

I find it crazy that they are cutting benefits from disabled ppl who really need it but continue to give to families.

But these are "hardworking families" and they deserve to be rewarded, unlike disabled people, who are trapped in a cycle of dependency and need to be motivated by punishment.

Or so the tories keep telling us.

Tumbleweed101 · 07/05/2018 07:48

People do what is best for their situation. Tax credits are there to support families earning a lower wage. If he is using them to help keep a decent work/family balance while his children are young then I see nothing wrong with that. Children grow up quick enough and entitlement ends. When they are reaching that stage no doubt he will work elsewhere and his wife will go back to work. Circumstances are changing for everyone all the time.

I’m a single mum to four. I lost one child’s tax credits last September and will lose another this September as they are both out of full time education. This has meant that I’ve been training and increasing hours etc to improve my future earning potential. I didn’t have the chance to do it sooner than that due to having young children to work around. Things change and I’m glad that tax credits are there to help keep a sensible income for a working family. Living costs are far too high to manage on min or low wages alone.

Namechange128 · 07/05/2018 07:50

Yes to @unlimiteddilutingjuice the injustice here is less about credits and more about right to buy.

LakieLady · 07/05/2018 07:53

If you are only on a low income then you don't have a right for the State to sub you thousands of pounds just so you can afford children, and a more decent place for you then all to live in. If you can't personally afford to support you and children then don't have a family until you can. Work harder, re train, get more qualifications, get promoted, whatever it takes until YOU can fund your life.

No-one knows what the future holds. My friend probably wouldn't have had 4 kids with her then well-paid, successful husband if she'd known he was going to go blind because of a rare eye disease, but that's why the whole family is now on benefits.

lovemylover · 07/05/2018 07:57

All I can say about this is its disgusting.when people have such a good income.yet others who are disabled etc are struggling to live

Ivegotfamilyandidrinkcupsoftea · 07/05/2018 08:11

because childcare for 4 DC would cost a lot more than his wife earns? even if the DC are in school, there is before and after school childcare and the school hols. With 4 DC, this will add up to ridiculous amounts.

This is so true.
Gave up my job end of last year as it was just not worth it.

My earnings per day - £68

Daycare for youngest - £38
Before school for 3dc - £7.50
After school for 3 dc - £40

Childcare per day - £85.50

And thats term time.....

Yes we were recieving small amount of childcare tax credits but it worked out i was keeping only a few pounds per week from my wage. Which didnt actually cover my childcare costs.

Ivegotfamilyandidrinkcupsoftea · 07/05/2018 08:12

Which didnt actually cover my childcare costs

*travel costs

CazY777 · 07/05/2018 08:14

They will get less when the switch over to UC happens (whenever that will be for families with 3+ children). For every £1 you earn you lose 63p from the amount you get under UC. With tax credits I think it's 40something pence. Also, his wife will be required to look for work once the youngest is 3.