Help for people on Universal Credit

[Bellysmackers]

OK so I'll more than likely get shot down in flames, fully prepared for that! But...it often feels to me like the more you work and try to create a decent life the more you're penalised. No handouts and help for people who are really trying in life.

My old aunt worked until retirement. She now pays ridiculous fees for her own care home. The lady in the room next to her barely worked a day in her life and it all gets paid for.

It annoys me! A lot!

Why are we not rewarded for trying to do well?

Thoughts??

But why are you demonising people who get UC in general because of your one specific and niche situation? Are you truly that ignorant?

What do you think should happen to her then?

@Dreamwhisper More likely anxious about a dwindling inheritance.

And do you not think that perhaps your disdain should be aimed at the systems that allow this to happen to people like your aunt rather than other people just trying to get by?

There's just so much wrong with your point of view.

Ah, of course, it all makes sense now!

The irony of being angry at others they perceive as money grabbing..

UC is an ‘in work’ benefit. You get more if you work.

The benefit system is massively unfair. If you only earn NMW you are sometimes better off going part time and claiming UC than working full time- unless you have childcare costs.

Some people take the piss, play the system, some people enter fraudulent claims. Some are genuine and those are the ones who really suffer.

You don’t get much on UC, rents are extortionate, landlords can be arseholes.

When it comes to nursing homes- I know what exactly you mean but you’ll get flamed here, “goady” etc.

Exactly. Often working in hard, very low paid jobs.

But what do you propose? No one pays for anything? That the old lady who can’t pay is left on the street to die in the cold? Who decides who’s ‘worthy’ of help?

But you miss my point...you are trying..hence of course I agree with financial assistance. I'm referring to people who don't try.

What do you think should happen to the old lady that has no money?

Except your title refereed to people receiving universal credit, the majority of who are trying.

Maybe I haven't written my post particularly clearly. I'm not bundling people who claim Universal Credit into one, I'm referring to those who aren't trying. I agree with financial assistance to those working or with illness etc.

Bet she doesn't answer that one.

This is my standard response these days to the “ it doesn’t pay to work brigade”

but they know full well that they’d be worse off not working they just can’t bare to see anyone getting something for nothing

personally I’d rather people didn’t freeze / starve to death infact gasp I’m even quite glad If people on benefits manage to have some left over to spend as they wish. The horror

Agree, I probably would have worded my title differently in hindsight.

"Not in my book" - is that a book with hard pages and big letters?

Who gets to decide who's trying hard enough? You? Maybe work harder and you won't have to rely on your aunt's inheritance.

So for clarity, I'm referring to the lazy. People who work or have illness meaning they are unable to should of course receive financial assistance. What annoys me is the ones who could work yet choose not to and rely on handouts.

But...it often feels to me like the more you work and try to create a decent life the more you're penalised. No handouts and help for people who are really trying in life

I’m a single parent with 3 children I have brought up with sod all financial support from their father for over 13 years now. I teach full time, exam mark and tutor. I am still entitled to a small amount of tax credits.

can you please explain to me how I am not really trying in life?

Ok, I’ll bite, who doesn’t try?
if you are on UC you have to demonstrate that you are actively looking for work otherwise you are likely to be sanctioned. So, who isn’t trying?
I wonder if it’s the person I help who has a form of dementia but so far hasn’t been granted ESA because he actively engaged with the assessor. Or is the woman who rang for an MR and did it o r the phone; a blank piece of paper was handed in.
Perhaps it was the disabled client who uses a wheelchair, she lost her Pip and UC because there were Steps on her phone (yes they demanded to see her phone). I register steps when I’m driving, or knitting…

Some capital is ringfenced. It won’t all go on the persons care.

But isn’t it wonderful that our system doesn’t treat those who haven’t saved anything (often by choice) differently to those who have?

Admittedly if family or sometimes the individual wants to pay for better care/surroundings they can if they have been able to save/sell an asset to do so.

Define lazy, OP. As lazy as the generalisations you keep spouting?

So what should happen to the lazy old lady getting her care home paid for, OP?

It still doesn’t answer the question of what happens to this old lady now? Would you have the punishment for her perceived ‘laziness’, be her living on the street, without care?

I imagine the proportion of people who are mentally and physically well enough to work and have nothing else stopping them but simply choosing not is minuscule so I wouldnt get to worked up .

Bring back workhouses?

OP...what should happen to the old lady?

I think it's always better to have some money than be dependent on the state.

Not saying there should be shame in claiming benefits but it's a vulnerable position.