Why do you benefit bash?

[greyblanket76]

My family and I are working class and always have been. My friends are too and so are the people that I tend to socialise with/meet in everyday life. I've only been on MN since last year but have seen so many comments bashing people who are on/depend on benefits and I'd really like to know why?

Is this because some people on here think everyone that's on benefits is lazy and doesn't want to work therefore claim benefits? Or is it something else?

I'll talk about my situation and will keep it as brief as possible as I already know people will come in the comments to try and shame me. I'm early 20s and a single mum (didn't start out that way but your whole life can literally change overnight and that's what happened to me). I have one DC and I'm expecting another so I've been on maternity leave back to back as I'll have 2 under 2.

I've worked full time since I was 17 right up until I went on my first maternity leave. Due to the rate of SMP, I'm entitled to benefits as SMP doesn't even cover my rent which is £1200. I'm entitled to £1670 of UC which covers my rent and all my bills. During the first 9 months of my maternity leave I was receiving around £1507 UC (due to deductions) + £638 SMP = £2145 a month.
Once I give birth to my second DC, my UC entitlement should go from £1670 to £1907. This isn't 100% accurate but due to receiving SMP, let's say the deductions would be due £1700 UC + £638 SMP = £2388 a month. That would be excluding child benefit for both children btw.

When I was working full time, I was earning £1383 a month. I do plan to go back to work after my maternity leave ends as I genuinely love my work and have my whole career in front of me. However can people see the huge jump in difference between the two amounts? Nearly a grand in total! When returning back to work, I would be entitled to some benefits however because I'd be working full time, it wouldn't be a lot. That's why it's advised that you drop hours to work part time in order to get the most help available.

I've read my post back and hope it isn't too confusing but I just wanted some people who benefit bash to understand that sometimes life on benefits seems better especially as you have kids because you get so much more help. My mum keeps telling me to consider not working for a year or two just because I need to consider the quality of life my DC and I will have. I wouldn't be able to pay for rent AND childcare so what would I do? There's a lot that comes into play when deciding if you should go back to work or just be on benefits and I hope some people got that from this post. Seeing as this is an anonymous forum, if you judge/bash people on benefits, I'd really be interested to hear why. Posting in AIBU because I'm prepared to be flamed and have learnt not to take nasty comments to heart

@theqentity

We receive DLA for our DC, and I receive Carers Allowance, as I am his full time carer.

No other benefits because DH earns over threshold for them. His middle class family, which are generally the more Mumsnetty types, absolutely abhor the fact that we receive these benefits, want me in work and my DC to not be disabled.

My working class family see the reality of our situation, how exhausted I am, how absolutely necessary I am to the wellbeing of DC, and think I deserve more than I'm getting.

It depends a lot on the background of people, I think.

I am not taking money away from people that deserve it more, I am taking exactly what my child and I are entitled to. And I have no shame in doing so.

@theqentity I'm sorry to hear about your situation and I'm sure you're a great carer for your DC. Someone commented something similar and said it depends what your background is and how you grew up as they think that impacts people's views on people who get benefits. I think that's so true and probably the reason why everyone I'm surrounded by either claims benefits or has it as top ups. They don't see anything wrong with it because that's how they grew up, it'd be biased for me to talk to only them to get their views. That's why I came to MN so I can reach people I probably wouldn't ever have a conversation with in real life because we don't socialise in the same way. It's very interesting to hear from people who feel the same as your DHs family. Very interesting indeed

Thank you for confirming.

I am not slow. I read your post in the way that @vivainsomnia did as you used the conditional tense. (Albeit I did not know that was what it was called)

I also never said maternity leave was not work. Perhaps you should read my posts?

The bottom line is if you indeed return to work FT, assume your family will help with childcare, and you'll look into progressing so you can earn a better income as time goes, then good on you and you should be applauded for it.

Come back in 2 years time and post again. You'll get very different responses.

Also OP, pack in with implying everyone but you and those who agree with you are slow, can't read or are just big mean girls. It's ridiculous.

There have been a variety of opinions posted here, but you don't want to hear them.

Why do people bash benefit recipients? Look at your posts. That is why. You aren't interested in a good debate about why, you are interested in people reinforcing your decision/situation.

@greyblanket76 what you said in your op
When returning back to work, I would be entitled to some benefits however because I'd be working full time, it wouldn't be a lot. That's why it's advised that you drop hours to work part time in order to get the most help available.

I read that as you were being advised to return part time to “get the most help available”.

Wait what? If you haven't got back to work since having your first child then you won't get SMP now for your second. You only get paid SMP for 9 months.

Your post confused me.

£2,000 is a lot on benefits a month.
Lucky you I guess? Seems a bit of a braggy post.

Also. I’m perfectly fine and I’m not “a bit slow”.

As I’m not “a bit slow” I know you mean “spell it out” not “single it out” but whatever.

*When returning back to work, I would be entitled to some benefits however because I'd be working full time, it wouldn't be a lot

Once I've finished maternity leave. I'll be going back to work full time which is what I was doing prior. I hope you can understand that*

@vivainsomnia please tell me the difference in both sentences as they say the same thing to me. They both say I'd/I'll be working full time.

And you are totally selective in the posts you respond to as it suits you.

Do you see how many comments there are? I've read every single post, doesn't mean I'm going to reply to every single one. I've replied to as many as possible and have really taken the time to read the comments of the people that have answered the question. How does anything here suit me? It's all given further insight into why people benefit bash. People have been really honest on here, I don't know how many posts you expect me to respond too...

You don't have to ever go to work OP. It's none of anyones business. The thing is, when you post about your situation in detail on here you open yourself up to judgement, willingly.

it has given a lot of people further reason to benefit bash, tbh. You don't come across well.

Also. You need to check back in your posts. You didn’t bold anything to me.

[quote greyblanket76]@Cheekypeach blink twice if you're cheeseonpost reincarnated. You're giving the exact same energy as that horrible poster that got banned last night[/quote]
But what about those people who aren't starving without it or wouldn't be if they worked more hours? They are choosing to work less hours and claim, they aren't on the bread line.

@Brefugee

it has given a lot of people further reason to benefit bash, tbh. You don't come across well.

Op is fine.

Some other posters though? Not so much.

Still lots of willing ignorance. Information be doing. Reading what is t there. Putting the OP down. Comparing OPs situation with their own completely.different situation.
So on and so on.

I can only conclude that people benefit bash because they're upbringing and media have made them bitter and venomous towards the poorer people below them instead of the billionaires above them.
Easier to punch down, takes less factual opinion forming and you can just watch Benefit Street and seeth

Great thread OP, really interesting to see others opinions. It’s something I’ve not only battled with people against but battled with myself against.

I too come from a working class family. 50% of my family members and their friends are on benefits. The other 50% and I on the other hand work full time (I’m currently on mat leave) and we don’t receive benefits. At all. Apart from the weekly child benefit everyone is entitled to. It is such a split as literally my mum and sister receive benefits where as, my brother and other sister do not.

I’m constantly between a rock and a hard place of understanding why people need the benefits but I get so frustrated at how most individuals I know on benefits are capable to work but choose not to, yet are always going out, going on holiday, have their nails and hair done. This isn’t generalising as I literally know and love these people I’m describing and also know that not everyone on benefits spends their money on the said above.

I get wound up when people slag off those on benefits and group them together (especially those in my workplace who all seem to be mega privileged and couldn’t name you one person they know on benefits) and I will always argue with them and defend working class people/those on benefits but I equally get frustrated when me and my partner both work full time with 3 kids, pay all of our bills off but we’re left with a minimal amount at the end that just about covers a meal out once a month. It seems we are just above the threshold to receive benefits.

I and my family members/friends that are on benefits did all have similar starts in life (I had my first baby at 18), we all grew up on the same estate, with very similar opportunities available to us and similar upbringings. I worked full time after I had my son and it’s taken a bloody long time and a massive struggle but I now own my own house. Like I said, not much money in the pot at the end of it but food is in the cupboard, bills are paid and we’re in no debt apart from our mortgage so I can’t really complain. Yet it still does wind me up when I see others with absolutely no willpower to get a job, happily live off of the benefits from the system and yet are out every weekend looking fabulous.

Such a tough one. I blame the system more than the people.

The 1% figure doesn't include the housing costs of those unemployed.
Nor does it seem to include the costs for family members
www.ons.gov.uk/economy/governmentpublicsectorandtaxes/publicsectorfinance/articles/howisthewelfarebudgetspent/2016-03-16
www.ukpublicspending.co.uk/uk_welfare_spending_40.html

So isn't it a bit disingenuous to say only 1% is spending on the unemployed if that is just the allowance for the adult.

@Brefugee

I simply don't care if you actually are entitled to the benefits. You are. (general "you" there, not directly addressed at OP). But coupled with an, admit it, goady post, the word is incendiary.

But. As pp said: you haven't "been working for years". If I'm generous I'd say it could be a maximum of... maybe 7 or 8? Can you not see how that rubs people up? And that is why the post is goady and a lot of the reactions are as they are.

Personally? I write to politicians regularly (it is not exactly the same where i am, but low wage jobs with benefit top-ups are very well established in a lot of Europe) and ask what they are going to do to bring these jobs up to scratch. And i know that the answer is: nothing. By paying corporations, which is what benefit top-ups like UC do, to stay where they are and at least have jobs available, even if the pay is shit, employment looks to be healthy and not 1930s style mass unemployment.

I left school in the Thatcher years. I know how hard it can be. I have worked, except for a short maternity leave break since i was 18 and I'm approaching my pension. So someone saying "i've worked for years" with the implication - so I've earned it - doesn't wash that well.
As i said: goady.

I have replied several times in good faith but meh. OP doesn't want to hear reasoned balanced argument. She doesn't even really want to know why people benefit bash. She does appear, from all her posts, to want to position herself as one of the modern-day "deserving poor" which is a label i don't apply and won't accept. People in poverty, by either of the measures, should be helped.

@Brefugee again, I'm really not trying to get out of character but what are you actually talking about...

But. As pp said: you haven't "been working for years". If I'm generous I'd say it could be a maximum of... maybe 7 or 8? Can you not see how that rubs people up? And that is why the post is goady and a lot of the reactions are as they are.

The answer is no. Before I started this thread, no I didn't see how it could rub people up the wrong way, why is that so hard to understand? I've never heard anyone say someone is 'taking out more than they've put in' as some have mentioned on this thread. I didn't even know people had the mindset that it's okay to be on benefits as long as you've done your fair share to contributing to society. I've learned that by starting this thread... I really don't see why that's so hard to understand

So someone saying "i've worked for years" with the implication - so I've earned it - doesn't wash that well.

Do you see what I mean? You're literally putting words in my mouth. If that's how you took it then fine, that's not what I meant to imply. I mentioned how long I've been working for so people understand that not everyone is lazy and just sits around all day claiming benefits. I only need too when my situation changed. I never said or tried to imply that by working full time for some years means I've earned anything. Earned what?? I'm on maternity leave for God sake

I have replied several times in good faith but meh. OP doesn't want to hear reasoned balanced argument. She doesn't even really want to know why people benefit bash. She does appear, from all her posts, to want to position herself as one of the modern-day "deserving poor" which is a label i don't apply and won't accept. People in poverty, by either of the measures, should be helped.

I've literally @'d you and respond to you engaging in conversation? I genuinely did want to know why people benefit bash and received more than enough answers to now properly understand. Seriously, what more do you want from me?

So isn't it a bit disingenuous to say only 1% is spending on the unemployed if that is just the allowance for the adult.

Nope.

The unemployed get what I linked too.

Housing costs cover workers and pensioners. But I'm happy to see you're reading.

@Brefugee

Also OP, pack in with implying everyone but you and those who agree with you are slow, can't read or are just big mean girls. It's ridiculous.

There have been a variety of opinions posted here, but you don't want to hear them.

Why do people bash benefit recipients? Look at your posts. That is why. You aren't interested in a good debate about why, you are interested in people reinforcing your decision/situation.

@Brefugee

Also OP, pack in with implying everyone but you and those who agree with you are slow, can't read or are just big mean girls. It's ridiculous.

Seriously are you my mum? Where was I implying 'everyone but myself and those agree with me are slow,' please show me where I said?? You clearly don't like me and that's fine but let's not make things up. I @'d a poster and told her the post I made before was for her. She kept on asking the same questions when the answer was there and in the OP. I'm not even gonna start with the insults but seriously get a grip. I haven't done anything to you

There have been a variety of opinions posted here, but you don't want to hear them.

I don't want to hear them??? Is that why I've wrote the biggest paragraph this morning summing up all the comments and my understanding of why people benefit bash?? What's your problem honestly, please tell me what I've done to you because you're literally making things up

Why do people bash benefit recipients? Look at your posts. That is why. You aren't interested in a good debate about why, you are interested in people reinforcing your decision/situation.

Ok👍 this will be my last response to you because you must be reading another thread

Calling me slow was an insult op. Own it.

You didn’t bold any posts to me either.

Your op was not clear as to whether you would be returning full time or part time. I have explained why I read it the way I did.

[quote AchillesPoirot]@greyblanket76 what you said in your op
When returning back to work, I would be entitled to some benefits however because I'd be working full time, it wouldn't be a lot. That's why it's advised that you drop hours to work part time in order to get the most help available.

I read that as you were being advised to return part time to “get the most help available”.[/quote]
@AchillesPoirot okay well I'd be working full time. That's what I said and that's what I meant

That isn’t exactly what you said. It was at best ambiguous.

@AchillesPoirot

That isn’t exactly what you said. It was at best ambiguous.

If something is ambiguous to you, but not to many others...

Sounds like a you problem.

"Would be" is theoretical. As in, if I went back to work I would do x. "Will be" is definite.

I don't think it's fair to call people "slow" who read it correctly.

@greyblanket76 I don't really understand how you could possibly go back to full time work after your second mat leave. Rent is £1200, childcare for two children under 3 in zone 1 London will be extortionate (we looked before we moved and was £1000 approx per child). That takes total of rent and childcare to over £3200 a month. Considering then you'd still need to pay bill etc your costs will be so high. You would get some UC/tax credits etc I imagine (I'll be honest I don't know much about benefits and how much you'd get etc). Even if family took the children some days it would be unaffordable to people in 2 person households on good salaries, let alone a single mum renting an expensive flat on (presumably as you are not long out of school etc.) a relatively low salary. Due to where you are living and your situation you are a bit trapped.