MN Needs to Add a ‘Surviving on Benefits’ Thread’

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To request MN HQ create a thread so we can share how to survive on UC.

If you’re single and mortgage free, you’re entitled to UC which equates to an annual income of £5,512.

YABU. It would be the biggest bunfight on the internet.

A fair few people aren't interested in helping anyone survive, anything more than existing is deemed lavish.
Plus benefits are only for scroungers ofc.

Didn't you just add one now?

Can't you just create one yourself?

Money Matters forum pretty much covers benefits issues. Loads of threads on there.

Start one yourself, why would MNHQ start one, that's not something they do is it?

A thread? You’ve just done that yourself. Well done. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Ah yes! This is a thread!

I meant a category?

Will check Money Matters

Anyone can create a thread - you just did. If you want a new board then you need to speak to MN not MN users about it. MN already have a money boards and they don’t like having lots of boards as they get messy. I’m can’t see how a whole board specifically for people on benefits is better than existing money boards.

Ahh, you mean a topic, isn't there already one called credit crunch?

By mortgage free do you mean no mortgage and renting or own house paid for outright? Two extremely different financial situations!

I've always been surprised that MN doesn't have a benefits specific board, considering the number of mothers who are entitled to something- child benefit, DLA, PIP UC and the rest. Women are more likely to have a lower wage and to be the person looking after children in the event of a relationship breakdown so it's very relevant to the site.

I'd expect rules about commenting on a benefits board to be quite strict regarding judgemental attitudes, so hopefully wouldn't be allowed to devolve into bunfights.

I'm on benefits and have been long term agaIn a carer for ds. I'm in the very fortunate position that I have never been in poverty, so I'm very good at budgeting and actually manage to have a small contingency fund. This is only down to the fact that I get a high rate disability element of child tax credits, but when ds leaves school that will stop and we will be on the bare bones of our behinds and he'll be at home FT so I still won't be able to work. I try not to think too far ahead as it worries me greatly.

So a benefits board might help? One where people could give advice about benefits you might not know about, point you to other agencies and so on? I imagine you could get help in the SEN forum as well, but a benefits topic would be more targeted.

Lots of posts on the subject on money matters.
I don’t think it needs a whole board.

@bluebadgehelp101

Totally understand where you’re coming from. 💐💐

I’m sure benefits threads usually just go under money matters.

My view would be to start a thread on living frugally. How to get your bills down, nice but cheap recipe ideas etc.

The Credit Crunch sub forum under Money has a lot of threads re benefits/frugal living. Maybe suggest it's renamed as outdated?

@Ellmau

Yes it is. I look at credit crunch and assume it’s related to the credit crunch of 12 years ago.

Maybe something @mnhq could look into.

@bluebadgehelp101

I'm on benefits and have been long term agaIn a carer for ds. I'm in the very fortunate position that I have never been in poverty, so I'm very good at budgeting and actually manage to have a small contingency fund. This is only down to the fact that I get a high rate disability element of child tax credits, but when ds leaves school that will stop and we will be on the bare bones of our behinds and he'll be at home FT so I still won't be able to work. I try not to think too far ahead as it worries me greatly.

I'm in the same position. Ds is 18 and I verge from trying not to think about what will happen in 2 years when child tax credits stop for him, to totally panicking. He can't be left alone all day, every day so getting a job to cover the deficit isn't a viable option, plus I'm a lone parent with another dc at primary school. Feels like I'm teetering on the edge of a bottomless pit, knowing falling into it is inevitable.

for anyone else in a similar position.

@SheldontheWonderSchlong @bluebadgehelp101 if your dc claim UC in their own right as adults with LCWRA you will be &3 a week better off. Chills tax credits with severe disabled child element is £681.25 a month UC under 25 plus LCWRA IS £684.64 a month.

Sorry £3 a month.

• when I say you I mean you as a family unit.