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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to use compensation claim on my hobby

86 replies

TescoValueUserName · 22/07/2019 15:46

I was a SAHM, left an abusive relationship and now am on benefits till i can find a job that works around my children and degree. I have a hobby and there's a once in a lifetime trip overseas next year for it which i wasn't going to be able to go on after leaving my ex as I couldn't afford it.

I've had an accident and I've just found out that the compensation that I will get will more than cover the cost of the trip.

I know I'll probably get vilified for being on benefits and also claiming compensation, but AIBU to use it for this? It won't be all of the compensation, plus I have other savings and no debt.

OP posts:
Original poster
TescoValueUserName · 22/07/2019 17:10

Thanks, I hadn't thought about the affect it will have on my benefits so I'll have to make sure I tell whoever needs to know.

Very outing, happy to pm you if you want to know though likeriding!

OP posts:
MzHz · 22/07/2019 17:11

You will only learn to love yourself for the wonderful kind, intelligent and caring woman you are by allowing yourself time, effort and love for yourself

This holiday will do you the world of good, it will show you what’s possible and what you can achieve now that you’re free.

Your happiness will make you a better person and a better parent. Your children will learn that adults come first too, that mums are important and that we all need to be kind to ourselves

Good for you.

ladyvimes · 22/07/2019 17:22

No way would I be spending 1.5k on myself when I am on benefits with no job and small children. I wouldn’t even spend that now and we’re quite comfortable!
Keep your savings as you may well need them and do this trip in the future when you’re more financially secure.

Original poster
TescoValueUserName · 22/07/2019 17:30

Unfortunately lady it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity, the opportunity will never come up again. If it wasn't I wouldn't even consider it!

OP posts:
itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted · 22/07/2019 17:33

Yeah I think your being a bit cheeky to be honest - lots of people who work bloody hard full time and don't receive benefits would struggle to pay for a once in a lifetime trip. I think your attitude just shows how wrong the benefit system is

S1naidSucks · 22/07/2019 17:39

Are you sure you’re going to get the full sum, OP? Did you go through a solicitor or one if those no win/no pay companies? Is that the total sum less their bill or will they deduct from it?

Musereader · 22/07/2019 17:42

Compensation must be reported to Dwp but it may be disregarded for up to 12 months depending on the type of compensation. Once the disregard period is up they will ask for receipts for any money spent to make a decision about deprivation of capital and 1.5k on a trip is just about on the limits of acceptable. Would need really good justification like visit family in america or similar.

Out of the country for more than two weeks may mean fta appointment depending on which work regime or benefit but over 4 weeks and all benefits will be closed regardless (exception for medical treatment, but that is not the case here)

Musereader · 22/07/2019 17:53

Specifically personal injury payments are disregarded for 12 months, and payments made in repect of a terror attack/disaster eg manchester arena or grenfell. And arrears of benefit payments.

Airplane delay compensation would not be disregarded so it really depends and i would need more details about what the payout was for before i can say. Try a local advisor if you do not feel comfortable putting more details here.

Poppi89 · 22/07/2019 18:12

Is this a one off trip or is it something that can be done another time? You are lucky to have such high savings but certain benefits can be stopped randomly at any time meaning you may have to use your savings. Benefits are usually also a very small amount so I would feel guilty spending money on a holiday then end up having to live off a small amount. If this is something that can be done another time I would probably wait until I had found a job before going just incase unless I was absolutely sure I could find a job quite soon after. I definitely think you need to go one day soon though op!

Poppi89 · 22/07/2019 18:13

Sorry I just seen that it's a one off trip

backaftera2yearbreak · 22/07/2019 18:17

What type of compensation is it? Might be disregarded for 12 months.

Paramicha · 22/07/2019 18:20

yabu, your children will need that money and their mum at home being as they come from a broken home.
Is your ex reliable with maintenance?

Aridane · 22/07/2019 18:28

Go for the holiday

chamenanged · 22/07/2019 18:28

Definitely don't judge you for wanting to use it, but I'd be worried about the maths stacking up. £4k plus £3k is only really four or five months of normal outgoings comfortably. You don't sound confident that you'll definitely be back in work in that timeframe, and even if you are you'll have depleted most of your savings.

Original poster
TescoValueUserName · 22/07/2019 18:37

It's a personal injury claim. I've been told to expect £3k but don't really know until it's settled. I had written off the prospect of going but after speaking to them today and finding out that I may be entitled to that it put the thought in my head that it may be possible but I worried that I still shouldn't.

I would only start to consider it once I knew what I would get, and after speaking to DWP to see the consequences of getting it too...and would probably then feel too guilty anyway!

It really is a once in a lifetime trip. We've been asked to compete in a competition in America, first and only British group to be asked and we'll not be able to do it again so it's a massive thing. Me not going wouldn't affect the others being able to take part though.

OP posts:
AbbyNormal · 22/07/2019 18:46

Have you looked into it being put into a personal injury trust fund OP? I don't know an awful lot about it, but a friend of mine was in an accident and had to stop working and rely on benefits. When they received compensation it was in the form of a trust so it didn't affect the benefits they received.

Original poster
TescoValueUserName · 22/07/2019 18:48

No Abby, I hadn't even heard of one before this thread! I'll get some advice though thanks

OP posts:
NoBaggyPants · 22/07/2019 18:59

A trust fund is pointless for such a (relatively) low amount. The cost of setting it up and ongoing administration would be greater than the small deduction in benefit income.

The compensation payment should be automatically notified to the DWP. As it takes you above £6K then non essential spending may be deemed to be intentional deprivation of capital.

The best thing to do would be to wait until you have the money and then ask the DWP if it is acceptable to use it on a holiday. It may well be permitted, it's not a massive amount for a holiday.

AbbyNormal · 22/07/2019 19:06

Ah see, I said I didn't know much about it Baggy Grin friend received a large amount so that must have been why it was in a trust then. Sounds then like a sensible idea to wait and ask DWP what to do with it OP.

backaftera2yearbreak · 22/07/2019 19:07

Disregarded for 12 months if you claim income based benefits. You have to inform the dwp and in 12 months they will ask you to show you haven’t got rid of it to claim more benefits. A holiday will be an acceptable way to spend it.

boosterrooster · 22/07/2019 19:24

Go for it!

HotChocolateLover · 22/07/2019 19:30

You seem to have quite a lot of savings considering that you’re on benefits and that kind of grates with me seeing as both DH and I work full time and can’t save. I can see why you would want to go away but personally I think you should use the savings and compensation money to live on for a while as it’s not fair that tax payers are filling up your savings account.

PooWillyBumBum · 22/07/2019 19:38

@HotChocolateLover how do you know benefits are enabling her to save? She could have had the savings from her marriage and be using benefits to live.

IMO it's positive for people on benefits to have savings. Should the washing machine or car blow up they can actually still keep going rather than relying on more hand outs or having to narrow the job search because they can't travel. There is a cap on savings and it's not particularly high. I don't see the logic in OP using every last penny then having to claim again when destitute.

She's not claimed before and is getting back into work. That's exactly where I want my tax money to go...to enable vulnerable women to look after their kids as they get back on their feet.

OP, you should like you have your head screwed on. I know nothing about benefits, sorry, but wish you all the best after a horrible time of it.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 22/07/2019 19:40

I’d use it to retrain so you can find some sort of work if you can’t currently. Otherwise it would be better in savings for the children.

Knowing you have no income and two children to support there’s not way I would be spending it on a hobby.

birdonawire1 · 22/07/2019 19:40

Go. It will benefit you now and in the long term. Other interests wont be harmed.