Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

605 replies

Alwaysoverdrawn · 21/09/2018 16:19

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.

OP posts:
Sleepyblueocean · 22/09/2018 20:07

I'm pointing out the fact that the disability benefit is irrelevant. It doesn't confer any nice extras and is there to cover the extra costs of disability. It also has nothing to do with working or not working. You can work and still get it.

BitchQueen90 · 22/09/2018 20:11

@mama17 interested as to how that works as I'm a single parent and was on benefits for 3 years and I am better off now I'm working by over £100 a week. I'm on a low wage as well.

SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 22/09/2018 20:14

I work (as does my partner) but I also receive PIP and it pisses me off when people consider it income. It’s really not. It barely covers the additional expenses of being unwell and disabled.

CantankerousCamel · 22/09/2018 20:24

It is relevant!! The amount a person can get in benefits should not offer them more comforts and security that someone working their ass off 40 hours a week!!!!

CantankerousCamel · 22/09/2018 20:25

Yes I’m sure that’s true if you have a disability that seriously impedes life, that’s not true for my neighbours. They just get a very comfortable lifestyle

buttybuttybutthole · 22/09/2018 20:44

Wages like living costs are variable depending on area but benefits I assume are the same wherever you live. It would be logical to think then that if you live in the south you have a better chance of improving your life long term by working, but in the north you could quite easily live on a lower amount. And the divide is perpetuated.

I live in the north, we can rent a 4 bed house with garden for less than a tiny 1 bed flat in London. I think that's as unfair as what the original OP is saying. Life is not fair, society isn't fair. There's not much we can do if we are an ordinary person (which most of us are) apart from focus on surviving and working hard and bettering ourselves , moving forward, building self worth and life satisfaction and self esteem and self respect. Whilst respecting other people's choices in how they survive.

CantankerousCamel · 22/09/2018 21:36

Actually I think it’s sort of opposite. In the north you aren’t having such a huge chunk of your money taken for rent. So working will give you more disposable income

In the south you get your rent paid and benefits on top. So claimants are going to be more likely to be better off

ohreallyohreallyoh · 22/09/2018 21:42

Then music lessons, £70 a term or free if parents on benefits. Swimming lessons the same. I could go on

This is not universal, however. It is down to how individual schools spend PP money. The vast majority don’t spend it in this way, although might make exceptions for particularly talented individuals.

CantankerousCamel · 22/09/2018 21:51

ohreally

This was what was offered to us.

But we are a family who work and we will always work.

Even if it’s hard for a while

BanginChoons · 22/09/2018 21:54

I still haven't found an Access course which is free for benefit claimants.

ohreallyohreallyoh · 22/09/2018 22:19

This was what was offered to us

And as I said, it is not universal.

Darkestnight · 22/09/2018 22:35

More needs to be done for lower earners but also more needs to be done for unpaid carers like me to get a living wage considering carers save the NHS And government billions of pounds a year. We also pay dental costs and prescription charges and a bit off council tax and housing benefit. So op is moaning about not having help towards a course perhaps op should try being a carer and seeing how screwed over we are

Darkestnight · 22/09/2018 22:39

I work more than 40 hours. Try everyday 7 days a week with no respite

UpstartCrow · 22/09/2018 22:43

BanginChoons
I still haven't found an Access course which is free for benefit claimants.

They were never completely free; you had to pay a joining fee and exam fees.
If they are over a certain number of hours, you have to declare them and have your benefits cut.

CantankerousCamel · 22/09/2018 22:44

Darkest

I agree with you, but you are invalidating the OP’s very real and valid problem

Darkestnight · 22/09/2018 22:47

I think my problem is a bit more serious then a course. Which reminds me ty op for doing this thread as come Monday I'm demanding respite and carers to help so perhaps I can go back to work and lead a life where I can gain a bit off self respect back

CantankerousCamel · 22/09/2018 22:51

Your problem is more serious, it’s also different. To the OP it’s not ‘just a course’ but is valid to her.

Why devalue thst? What do you gain from doing so?

BanginChoons · 22/09/2018 22:53

I don't believe the OP's sister is doing a free Access course.

Original poster
Alwaysoverdrawn · 22/09/2018 22:58

Darkest you don’t need to minimise my issues to enhance your own. No one denies carers do a fantastic job. My FIL gave up a fantastic career to be a carer to MIL before she died. I have upmost respect for the work it entails and the pittance they give you.

But in the nicest possible way, this isn’t about you. Working families living hand to mouth with no support to improve the situation isn’t ok because carers are poor too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Alwaysoverdrawn · 22/09/2018 23:00

Bangin will you read the thread rather than banging on about the same thing that’s been answered - It’s with open university as I’ve said. Here’s an idea type into google ‘open university benefits access funding’ should be the top result if you need definitive proof.

OP posts:
BanginChoons · 22/09/2018 23:15

Alwaysoverdrawn.. why didn't I think of that.. only I did think of that, and it's not a thing. I have done an Access course fairly recently, I was in receipt of income support of the time. I, like everyone else, had to take out a loan to pay the course fees. There is not a free one!

HelenaDove · 22/09/2018 23:30

Camel you have got it completely wrong about Graphista Ive never seen her behave in the way you describe.

Graphista · 22/09/2018 23:39

Thank you Helena

penisbeakers · 22/09/2018 23:44

🙄

gluteustothemaximus · 23/09/2018 00:05

If I can afford school dinners, lovely. If someone else can’t, how lovely we have a system where children can eat and not starve.

If I can afford my prescriptions, wonderful. If someone else can’t, how lovely we have a system where they can access medication for free.

If I can afford swimming lessons for my children, great. If someone else can’t, how lovely that there’s a system where a child can learn for free or reduced so their chances at life aren’t impeded by their finances.

I don’t care to look at the tiny minority that abuse the system. I care that we live in a country that (mostly) helps out with schools meals, prescriptions, health care and so on for those that cannot afford it.

I am far more concerned at the state of where this country is heading, and the rich who dodge taxes, as well as the massive and ever growing divide between rich and poor.