To think life shouldn’t be easier for those on benefits than those who work?

[Alwaysoverdrawn]

obviously not including the disabled, elderly etc in this

I am so fed up of being poor so I looked into doing an access course to increase my earning potential. My sister is doing one and is currently on benefits, she gets it for free with her childcare paid.

Having spoken to them, we earn too much to be considered for help. Having looked into mine and my sisters finances I think this is frankly bloody ridiculous. We are worse off than her ffs.

We make around £2,500 NET p/m, £1000 rent, £900 childcare -2 adults, 2 kids. So £600 ‘disposable’ pm with a lot of debts to pay.

She gets £670pm plus her full rent paid and a council tax reduction for her and one child.

AIBU to think life shouldn’t be ‘easier’ for those on benefits than those who work?

DP hasn’t been to the dentist despite needing to for years as he can’t afford treatment, I’m really down today. Seriously considering moving out so that I can claim benefits and get out of this horrible rut.

Life on benefits isn't easier. If you weren't in debt you would be fine and could afford to pay for the course in instalments.

Try living within your means and pay off the debts then re-visit the college idea.

The thing is your sister won't always be entitled to certain benefits once her child reaches 18 or is out of full time education. So at some point she will have to make up that shortfall.

Benefits are so scary and unreliable which is why I am doing all I can now to ensure I am not relying on tax credits for too long.

Move out and leave work then.

On any benefits bashing thread it is obligatory to state in inches exactly how large her flat screen TV is, exactly how many holidays she has each year, and exactly how much of her free money she spends on takeaways and shoes.

I often feel the same. I'm sure life on benefits isn't easy but it looks easier than working and still struggling from this side of the fence.

It's not about making life easy, and life on benefits is certainly not easy, it's about giving her the means to get a job and get off benefits.

There is so much jealousy because of this perceived lifestyle of benefits claimants it's ridiculous.

I bet she's got a horse as well.

I don't think housing benefit covers full rent so she will still need to pay something.

Weeeelll.... for council tax she’s still paying 75% of what you pay as a couple so it costs you less per person.

You could look at it that you have more resources including both being in work and being a couple gives you more flexibility. In five years with less childcare to pay you will be potentially far better off. If she stays on benefits and doesn’t do the course or get work she will be no further forward.

I think you’ve just got to look at the situation that you are in and decide what’s best for you.

Heads up OP this thread will go down like a fat kid on a seesaw.

I do agree that Benefits shouldn’t be easy and comfortable.

You get out of life what you work for, if your not willing to work for it then you don’t want it.

Yes life is unfair, it is what it is, you roll with it and keep on going. That’s what survival is all about.

You forgot to mention her goat...

And of course she gets a council tax reduction if she is a lone parent (she will still pay more than 50% though)

Yep... absolutely hate this! People on benefits go on way more holidays than me, have better phones and TVs than me, and have all the free time in the world! It does crack me uo though when without fail every Friday on Fb they post: thank god it's Friday! Why mate! Life's one big weekend for you!

It isn’t.

HTH.

I’m not bashing her, she doesn’t live a life of luxury at all but she’s able to do something that would cost me a lot of money and not pay for, despite having more money than me all because she doesn’t work. In what world is that fair and I’m the unreasonable one?
She’s in a council house so the full rent is paid. I’m talking about council tax benefit not single person discount.

Your not allowed to say those who can work should like your not allowed to say men can’t be women

It’s bashing and somthing ist to say so

Even in council houses, Housing Benefit doesn't always cover the full rent. And people on benefits often get free or heavily discounted fees on certain education courses because these courses may help them get back into work.

LIFE ON BENEFITS ISN'T EASIER and I've been on them myself so I know personally. I'm £100 ish better off since I went back to work. I am also a single mum.

Full rent does not get paid in a council house (My sister still has to make up a shortfall between rent and housing benefit). It's not her fault that your debts make you less well off. You have more money to start with

I must be doing it wrong. I don’t know anyone that is working that is worse off than me. My sister who works has been on four holidays this year and I haven’t been on holiday since 2010. Where am I going wrong?

Her full rent is definitely paid. Sorry I didn’t realise ‘the disabled’ was so offensive, it obviously wasn’t meant in that way.
I appreciate that for some people benefits are not easy but for some people they are easier than working and there is a ‘middle poor’ that’s left behind and no one gives a shit about them, but everyone’s right there to fight unemployed people’s corner.

Ive been both a fulltime worker and on benefits (though always worked). You are NBU, and are right. Though the satisfaction of bringing in your own wage outweighs it for me

It’s frustrating isn’t it. It feels like full time workers just get the raw end of the deal constantly. We pay the most for anything just because we work. I know multiple women who have admittedly had children just to get free housing and benefits. And while I sit on my lunch break during a stressful day at work, looking forward to getting home to do absolutely nothing because ive no money left after bills, and these other mums are all over facebook, out spending their benefit money on days out with the kids.

I get that you make your own luck and I should be aiming to earn more etc but its not always that simple. Population is so dense where I am that the pay is rather low – if I don’t want to take the job because its not enough money, someone else will snap it up!