To think 1200 is a quite a lot in a bank account for someone on benefits

[Happiestyearofmylife]

Not a benefits bashing thread. Dd is currently unable to work. She gives me £400 a month. She currently has 1200 in her account and feels like she isn’t saving enough. I’m trying to re assure her that when you have limited money that’s quite a bit.

Why are you taking £400 a month? How much does she have left a month?

If £400 is room and food then she's got nearly 3 months of living expenses (excl. any additional bills like phone) which is fantastic.

She currently has 1200 in her account and feels like she isn’t saving enough.

Well if she's shelling out £400 a month to you I'm not surprised she feels like she's not saving enough.

Because our rent is expensive and wouldn’t need that size house. If I didn’t have adults living with me.

How old is she?

Are her savings just from benefits?

Why is she giving you £400pm when she’s on benefits?

Adults being who? Your daughter and husband/partner?

Is your thinking that people on benefits should have no savings?
1200 isn't a lot.

What are the other adults chipping in?

£400 is a lot. Are you working?

How many adults and how much is your rent? £400 is a lot for someone on benefits

400 is a lot to pay for someone on benefits. Presumably she isnt getting housing benefit to pay you but would be if living elsewhere.

Is she trying to save to move out?

You should be proud of her. If she's giving you £400 a month and being sensible with the rest, then it suggests that she's not given to frittering money away and is being responsible with it. £400 a month seems very reasonable for room and board (if that's what you're taking it for).

Is she saving for something particular or just general security?

If she's saving for a future move into her own place, £1200 isn't much at all. It wouldn't even cover her deposit and fees. I'd want £5k if possible.

If she's on UC she can't be getting more than £350 a month (and will reduce next month) so how is she managing to give you £400

How old is she and what is she getting? Isnt JSA something like £75m

75 a week

If she's on benefits then £400/m is probably over half her income (assuming she's getting UC and has been found not fit for work).

I know MN is generally pro adult kids paying rent but I think that's appalling.

Well you could want what you wanted, @peachgreen, but if you're on benefits then £5,000 is very difficult to get hold of. Those benefits are to pay for her living expenses and that's what the OP is charging her for.

I see PPs have answered differently to me and I think this is because a LOT depends on the context. So:
a) are you charging her rent because you can't afford to cover her costs or as a principle thing?
b) how old is your daughter?
c) where do you live / could your daughter get a flatshare for less than £400/month or is that a bargain.

Not on UC on esa and pip

I wouldn't charge my adult children a proper market value rent if they weren't earning. I'd want them to chip in for food and household stuff occasionally but I wouldn't want them to feel even more fed up at being unemployed, by taking so much money off them.

Also no, I don't think £1200 is that much.

If you’re referring to the daughter you posted about yesterday who is seriously struggling with her mental health and has just been discharged from the crisis team then I think taking so much money from her is disgusting, to be honest.

Meant to ask does the £400 cover everything - food, rent, bills etc?

@peachgreen

If she's saving for a future move into her own place, £1200 isn't much at all. It wouldn't even cover her deposit and fees. I'd want £5k if possible.

It would cover deposit in majority of the country No fees anymore in England for cc etc.