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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think staying on benefits instead of getting a job

37 replies

Benefitsbythesea · 01/03/2021 19:02

a job when you have your own business that hasn't made a penny in over two years is not on?

This is someone I know.

OP posts:
sst1234 · 01/03/2021 19:08

Has bathe business failed? Closed down? Will it be restarting? Is it really a business or a hobby?

Newnamefor2021 · 01/03/2021 19:10

Not sure I understand what your question is. Someone started a business which didn't make any money so have gone onto benefits?

MrsBrunch · 01/03/2021 19:16

Your IABU doesn't make sense.

00100001 · 01/03/2021 19:18

I'd be inclined to think they should try and find alternative employment

MrsBrunch · 01/03/2021 19:21

Nor does my AIBU Grin

1Morewineplease · 01/03/2021 19:21

Am I right in thinking that this person has been claiming benefits whilst running a business that has made no money and that perhaps they should get a job instead?
Sorry, tad confused.

Saz12 · 01/03/2021 19:22

Depends on the business! EG wedding planner, children’s party entertainer, dress hire... not going to be successful just now. If it’s a hobby or a vanity business then maybe they should be doing it around a day job.

Original poster
Benefitsbythesea · 01/03/2021 19:25

1Morewineplease

Am I right in thinking that this person has been claiming benefits whilst running a business that has made no money and that perhaps they should get a job instead?
Sorry, tad confused.

Yes

OP posts:
Original poster
Benefitsbythesea · 01/03/2021 19:26

Depends on the business! EG wedding planner, children’s party entertainer, dress hire... not going to be successful just now. If it’s a hobby or a vanity business then maybe they should be doing it around a day job.

Think improving yourself, manifesting etc

OP posts:
1Morewineplease · 01/03/2021 20:01

I think they need to find proper paid employment if I'm honest.

sst1234 · 01/03/2021 20:05

What’s with the cryptic replies OP? If you want a discussion on the thread, give more than one word answers. On the face of it, no one will disagree with you because no one thinks benefits abuse is good.

rawalpindithelabrador · 01/03/2021 20:07

Need more information.

Jumpers268 · 01/03/2021 20:08

Not enough information.

Isla2021 · 01/03/2021 20:11

If they aren't earning- surely they would be entitled to benefits?

Oldsu · 01/03/2021 20:18

I think due to covid the minimum income floor (which is what the dwp expect self employed people to earn ) with UC has been suspended but expect it to go back up soon, so your friend might well be told that their benefits will stop or decrease, not sure how it would effect tax credits

Devlesko · 01/03/2021 20:25

It depends, was it a new business 2 years ago.
A lot has happened in the least 2 years. You are lucky to break even on a first year in business, anyway. Add that to covid lockdowns and I doubt many businesses are making money.
Lots of people work and get benefits, if you are entitled to them then take them Confused

Changedname476 · 01/03/2021 20:27

I agree with stt123

OP how can anyone decide if YABU without even a modicum of basic information, what you've replied is also vague and cryptic. Pointless really and requires a drip feed

Is the person self employed and not making very much money ?

By benefits do you mean they are claiming UC to top up? (Ie not benefits abuse)

Is the field of their specific self employed business hit badly by Covid - such as hairdresser, wedding planner or dog Walker ?

Or have they never made money at it, you believe it's a proven poor business plan and that they should get an employed job instead?

Does this affect you? Are you supplementing them?

maddiemookins16mum · 01/03/2021 20:39

Is that a tap I hear......drip, drip.......

JustAnotherPoster00 · 01/03/2021 20:40

cool story bro

LibrariesGiveUsPower45321 · 01/03/2021 20:44

Massive drip feed going on here.

If someone is running a business but not making profits yet/hit by covid there are some benefits they can claim (so long as they don’t have a partner earning over the threshold). That’s not benefit fraud.

If the business is unviable they should either:

  1. Get a job if they are able
  2. Claim benefits if they are not

(Obviously oversimplified)

safariboot · 01/03/2021 20:44

In normal circumstances it is not allowed. You get a 1 year grace period with a new business (and you can't have another within 5 years). After that, Universal Credit calculations regard you as earning a "minimum income floor" equal to 35 hours a week at minimum wage, even if your business makes less.

But since January 2020 it has not been normal circumstances! The minimum income floor is suspended, just as the claimant commitments for people seeking employment are suspended.

ohwaitthatwasme · 01/03/2021 20:47

I think its not your business.

Wannabangbang · 01/03/2021 20:47

People need to eat, pay bills & rent. What the hell is he or she supposed to do. We are in the middle of a pandemic give the person a break fgs.

00100001 · 01/03/2021 20:59

@Wannabangbang

People need to eat, pay bills & rent. What the hell is he or she supposed to do. We are in the middle of a pandemic give the person a break fgs.
Get a paying job? There are jobs out there.
ChameleonClara · 01/03/2021 21:03

I think you need to focus on your own life and what you are doing.

You won't find any happiness worrying about what other people are doing.

There's a lot of jealousy and judgement aboiut just now.