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.

@PoorlyParented

Bullshit! Someone on benefits would never be accepted for the finance on a range rover no matter how many kids they had, unless you are claiming she bought the car outright! Come on now.

I dont think life is easier on benefits but depending on your income and outgoings in not mucj harder, im my disabled childs carer he gets DLA and we get tax credits,carers allowance etc, and dh works but on a low wage we are not much worse off than when i was working full timr , i was skint then and skint now.

Of course someone on benefits could get finance on a car! People who earn half their money on benefits and half on working can get a mortgage ffs! A car is nothing!

Actually as an access student she doesn't have to worry about council tax at all, becuase she is considered full time student. Unless she does only part time, which I doubt.

YANB completely U tbh.

Yanbu op.
I agree with you that, disabilities aside, a non working person should never have more disposable income than someone who works.
But, I would like to see this disparity addressed through increasing the minimum wage, rather than decreasing benefits.

SwordToFlamethrower You’re projecting. I don’t have an issue with people on benefits, you obviously haven’t read what I’ve said and are taking it upon yourself to think I’ve said something different. Surprisingly, people who work also face mental health issues that the NHS fails to help with, its not exclusive to those on benefits.

We live in a 2 bed flat, i looked into moving but we don’t have a car anymore and our credit rating is shit from me having to drop everything to be by my sons bedside in hospital - which is also when We got into debt. Not that it matters in this context as I’m sure there’s lots of people in situations like mine for all sorts of reasons.

I think a lot of people have misunderstood what my point is but I just wanted to vent so thanks for the input anyway. It is sad that some people can’t see past ‘benefits are such hard work, you can’t moan/be poor if you’re not on them’ but those saying that have highlighted to me why politicians aren’t helping, because people refuse to believe it.

@PoorlyParented there is no way anyone on benefits could afford a Range Rover and Gucci handbags. You're either completely lying or the woman you're talking about must have had some other income.

“You have chosen to work, you could easily sah with that wage.”

But if she stays at home, she won’t get paid that wage any more....

Op if you’re having a hard time with debts, to step change they’re really good with helping manage debts or even in some cases getting them written off.

sleepyblueocean
I don’t know if she gets carer’s allowance. I do know that she has told outright lies about some things in order to get something. She showed me the email that she’d sent. (And laughed silently to myself!) The thing that was an issue was only an issue when it suited her i.e. to get something for free. It wasn’t a problem when her DD was out playing for hours completely unsupervised and not visible from her house.

Ewits
She gets vouchers from a holiday company every year, I have no idea who funds that. She goes during term time when it’s cheaper. I do not have that option.

Meh. I would t wish surviving on benefits on anyone. I would t wish being the working poor on anyone. Plenty of studies saying working poor are worse off. I feel grateful for what we have

Two estates local to me mentioned in this story: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/benefits-blackspot-oldham-estate-just-851361

Of course there are people who make a 'career' out of claiming benefits, it's extremely common where I live. I know 2 women who openly admit it! They pull their faces when I talk about going to work, the idea of it is completely alien to them. And FWIW the weekly HB rate (2 bed) is £98.96 here, and there 2 bedroom propeties on the HA home list available for £93.12 PW. So it is definitely possible to have your full rent covered here.

I know not everyone wants to rely on benefits, but they exist.

Oh here we go another bashing people on benefit thread. I am on benefits and I'm a carer. I get £64 a week being a full time carer to my disabled adult dd. I never get time off or respite and I am lucky to get 4 hours sleep a night. Perhaps op if you paid more tax to social care I could get a break. I work harder then many people I know. At least if you have a job you can forget about it when you get home and chill. Oh and if a private carer charged for what I do most days your probably looking at thousands every month not £240 a month which I get.....

Op. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get benefits? Even the ones you’re entitled to Living on benefits isn’t easy - you’re totally reliant on a system which changes the goalposts with little to no warning
You can’t just ‘decide’ to go on the dole anymore

@CiderBrains

Nope sorry you're wrong, not on a bloody range rover. Most working people wouldn't get that kind of finance for a car. Mortgages are a bit different.

It’s really not easier. I’ve never personally been on benefits but I have a generalised idea of how much they receive and it’s basicslly fuck all. Couple that with the stigma of being a benefit claimant and I can’t see how you’d ever think life was easier.

I teach FE and you won’t pay for the access course if you plan to go to university afterwards regardless of whether you are on benefits or not.

For the 100th time, I have no issue with those on benefits - I do however now have an issue with those who refuse to read what I’ve said in order to project their own dissatisfaction with their life onto me.

I am on benefits and am much more comfortable than my parents who work full time. But they have a mortgage and 2 cars.

I live in HA property and walk everywhere so don't have the same outgoings.

It isn't.

HTH.

I'm working and also receive tax credits as a top up. My credit rating is good so I imagine I could get a Range Rover on finance if I wanted one! Not that I would because they are bloody awful

Darkest I completely agree with you that carers allowance is an absolute pittance, and it's a disgrace. The unpaid (I don't class that amount as being paid) carers are holding this country together, if you all stopped doing what you do the NHS/Government would be screwed.

I don't lump carers, or anyone else relying on benefits for a genuine reason, in with the families who choose to live on benefits- one at home not working, the other registered at a seperate address (their parents) while working full time, full wage + full benefits and laughing at those of us who are honest mugs.

I wish the govt would check more on single parents who aren't. I know several people who claim housing benefit as single parents whilst partners live with them..one 12 years and one four years. They also get extra child support. I do not begrdge one penny to people who really need the benefits and are genuinely eligible for them.

Just finished four years on benefits. This week I signed off of tax credits as well.

Trust me it is no fun.

My son is autistic and sadly I don’t get yearly all inclusive holidays in four star hotels. DS wouldn’t cope with it for a start!

My rent was paid.
I got a good amount towards my council tax.
Free prescriptions and dental treatment.

Other than that though I still paid electricity, gas, water etc.
Plus petrol, insurance and road tax.
Fed and clothed DS and rarely bought anything for myself.

It wasn’t a picnic but we coped.

I was far better financially in work and got my salary once a month which made planning bills easier. Benefits coming in drinks and drabs makes planning more difficult.

Am laughing at the idea of someone on full benefits getting finance on a Range Rover . Not likely unless they had a guarantor,

Life isn’t easier. No one actually wants to claim benefits as it takes away control.
Chances of going on holiday are pretty slim and it means you have no nest egg for your children and getting them out of the poverty trap.

Family fund sometimes fund vouchers for holidays but its not enough for four star hotels more like a week in skegness