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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:
Icouldbehappy · 23/09/2018 19:54

I’d love to know which charity funded the four star all-inclusive holiday as well! I know that it was vouchers for a well-known holiday company. She told me.
As for the poster who said something like it’s always someone who knows someone who knows someone etc etc; well I genuinely know this person very well.
I don’t want to say too much as I know for a fact that people who live in my area are on MN.
I have not made up or exaggerated anything.

Icouldbehappy · 23/09/2018 19:55

OP
You’ve had a hard time here and I’m sorrr about that. I still agree with you.

Icouldbehappy · 23/09/2018 19:55

Sorry ☝️

Darkestnight · 23/09/2018 20:01

Sad but true op and there are a few more benefits you don't get it with. I hope your situation becomes better and things become more easier for you. It's sad to think the government push you to work and when you do you do not get much help and your doing the best for your family. I was venting and sorry if I sounded harsh but it's not easy for anyone in this current climate except the rich. Seems the government turn a blind eye to lower paid or middle waged workers and ppl on benefits except the benefit scammers. Hope one day we get a government who cares but that seems along way off.

Frequency · 23/09/2018 20:06

That's not an access course, OP. It's a free introductory module. I did it when DD1 was a baby. It's useless. It's basically just an introduction to the OU. As far as getting a better paid job goes, it's not worth the paper it's not written on (you get emailed a certificate)

Your sister should contact her local college and do a full access course rather than wasting her time with the OU. The college bursary should pay for childcare if she's on less than £25k pa.

In your shoes, I honestly think I would leave work and go to college then on to Uni or try a level 3 trade course (the problem being you would need to complete level 2 first, which you would have to pay for)

That being said, I have no idea what your current job is and what prospects you have in terms of promotion. If you have a shot at working your way up you might be better off staying. If you're working in a greasy spoon or local small business - leave and use the time to retrain.

Reed offers free and cheap courses. Again, most of them aren't worth the paper they're not written but some are genuine, professional qualifications. I have my eye on the digital marketing one for when I finish the degree I plan on starting next year.

www.reed.co.uk/courses/free

Original poster
Alwaysoverdrawn · 23/09/2018 20:14

Yes I understand it’s not a great access module but once completed you can go onto a degree With the OU which would be my next step, I could do the degree as you can get a loan for it and pay back once completed and earning above certain amount but you can’t do that with the access and as it’s from home I’d do it evenings etc where I could. It was the only option I could find.
I can’t afford to go to actual college due to the extra childcare.
My sister is doing the same but she gets her childcare paid while she does it.
I do have a shot of eventually working my way up which is why I want to stay for now.
Thank you to everyone who’s shown some compassion, it’s tough for everyone who’s not rich and we should be building each other up rather than tearing down...

OP posts:
Frequency · 23/09/2018 20:18

OP, you can do a degree with the OU without an access course. The access course is for people who lack the confidence to jump straight into a degree.

www.open.ac.uk/courses/do-it/ready-for-success

BanginChoons · 23/09/2018 20:20

Alwaysoverdrawn, the reason i am "going on about it" is because I know what i'm talking about, having done an Access fairly recently as a single parent on benefits. You can't go onto a degree from a module unfortunately. She would need to do a full access course, as would you. The funding is the same for both. I'm happy to help if you need any further info as it has changed my life greatly and I am now halfway through an NHS degree.

Original poster
Alwaysoverdrawn · 23/09/2018 20:36

The module refers to the access course. You can go on to do a degree from it. My sisters been doing it, I have spoken to them. I also know several people on benefits who’ve done access courses at colleges for free so it quite a common Occurance and not limited to the OU. - www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help

I did call to see if I could do the course without the access but as I’ve been out of study for a long time and only educated to GCSE level they strongly advised against it.

OP posts:
Frequency · 23/09/2018 20:42

Do it OP. Do it without the access course. Yeah, it might be a bit of a stretch to start with but it's not impossible. I think MN had an OU support thread once. Start another one. You'll get plenty of help.

Your biggest hurdle would be in essay writing/formatting etc and there are loads of MNetters, including myself, who would help you.

What course was it? There might be another MNetter thinking of doing it. You could be study buddies.

BanginChoons · 23/09/2018 20:47

Really honestly truly there are no free Access courses! A person on benefits would need to get a loan the same as someone from a working family. Your link says that too.

Are you sure just an access module will lead to a degree? I don't know about the open university but I know in my field you need a whole access course. Are there any part time access courses locally? My college did one which was 2 evenings a week over 2 years, maybe that would be more doable for you childcare wise?

What is it you are hoping to study? Good luck.

QuestionableMouse · 23/09/2018 21:12

Have you been in touch with the college? The one I did my access course at was really good at being accommodating around childcare (people could come in a bit late and leave a bit earlier so they could do the school run).

It's worth having a chat with them to see if they could help you in the same way.

Also the course costs are paid off when you complete the course.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 23/09/2018 23:00

I think you are confusing the OU's access module with a full Access to HE course (which is what you'd need to bridge the gap between your GCSEs and a degree).

I posted a link to the national careers service and explained what FE is free a few pages back. I really think you'd benefit at looking more widely at your options (outside the OU), so give the NCS a call.

Assuming you're over 24, you'd probably be eligible for an advanced learner loan to pay for an Access to HE course:
www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

Access to He courses haven't been free for anyone over 24 for a few years now.

katseyes7 · 23/09/2018 23:11

l was in my last job for 28 years. With the police. So l paid tax, NI, etc all that time. Six years ago l lost my 83 year old mother to suicide. Then l was waiting for a major surgery, and recovering from that, and the unplanned surgery l had to have after it.
My housing benefit is just over half my rent. At present they're taking money out of my benefits to cover a crisis loan l had to get, and to pay my gas and electric. So in effect the benefits l receive don't even cover my rent. When l moved into this house l didn't know l was going to need surgery, or that in addition to losing my mother, that l'd have to cope with the circumstances of that.
l had been 'topping up' my benefits with savings, but they ran out almost two years ago, hence the crisis loan and the utility arrears. The council threatened to take me to court for £32 arrears in council tax.
l've been looking for work but l'm nearly 60 and have health problems which limit what l'm able to do.
Fortunately l get my work pension soon and that'll change things. l'll be able to pay back everyone who has loaned me money to keep me in my home. l don't think benefits should be an easy ride for everyone, but the current ones are totally impossible to live on. l don't go out, drink, smoke, have Sky, or anything like that. My only 'luxury' is my pet rabbits. l certainly don't have an extravagant lifestyle. l live alone - maybe it's different if you're a couple or have dependents?

HelenaDove · 23/09/2018 23:46

I still get a slight shudder when i see Reed mentioned after my experience of New Deal.

bridgetoc · 24/09/2018 00:08

It's frustrating that there are so many ponces out there. They're like barnacles on society.

Benefits should be for those in geniune need, not for freeloaders.

CantankerousCamel · 24/09/2018 08:24

kats it’s defibjtey worth mentioning that there is a huge discrepancy between those claiming benefits with a couple of kids and those who are alone or in couples.

Benefits should give everyone a realistic living standard but not offer huge amounts more.

Sockwomble · 24/09/2018 10:01

The only charity that I know of that provides vouchers towards holidays is family fund. The vouchers are typically around £500 and are generally used for holidays at Haven or similar although they can be used towards holidays with some of the big holiday companies.They are means tested and not just for those that are out of work although there must a child with a disability.

Witchofwisteria · 24/09/2018 10:56

Everyone is saying it's not easy and I'm sure it's not... but you cannot all deny that you don't know at least 1 benefits recipient that smokes like a chimney, is fat as a house and is always in branded trainers and hoodies... because I do.

I think there is def a North South divide. I think the government should look at increasing benefits in areas where it's expensive to live like London, Brighton and Surrey etc... I think it's stupid that people in Hull can get the same as someone in London- obviously their benefits will go a lot further in that part of the country and its easier to take the piss and live comfortably.

buttybuttybutthole · 24/09/2018 11:00

Everyone is saying it's not easy and I'm sure it's not... but you cannot all deny that you don't know at least 1 benefits recipient that smokes like a chimney, is fat as a house and is always in branded trainers and hoodies... because I do

lol

nethun1 · 24/09/2018 12:31

I agree with what @Frequency said

Mumsnet really is a nasty place sometimes

IveGotAlpen · 24/09/2018 12:33

Everyone is saying it's not easy and I'm sure it's not... but you cannot all deny that you don't know at least 1 benefits recipient that smokes like a chimney, is fat as a house and is always in branded trainers and hoodies... because I do

Are you actually being serious

IveGotAlpen · 24/09/2018 12:36

Bold fail .

bridgetoc · 24/09/2018 15:37

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

CantankerousCamel · 24/09/2018 15:42

The problem is not that people on benefits get too much, every deserves a basic standard of living. It’s that working families aren’t afforded that basic standard of living.