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??

[Suzi888]

@Gilead well my neighbours three children aren’t. 🤷🏼‍♀️😂 They live in a VERY nice house- all claim UC and live off mummy and daddy. One works part time.

[Bellysmackers]

@SkirridHill

"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.

I don't wish for inheritance. I have my own money. I feel it's unfair my Aunt and others like her who worked hard all their life get penalised by paying absolutely ridiculous care fees when the lazy woman who barely worked in the room next to her gets everything paid for. Would you be happy with that Arrangement 🤔 😂

[ilovesooty]

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

[Bellysmackers]

@MessyBunPersonified

What do you think should happen to her then?

That's her problem to deal with. She should have planned better.

[Dishwashersaurous]

To repeat. Universal credit has nothing to do with pensioners.

It's an entirely separate system and in many ways a consequence of the role of women in society that many, many, many elderly women don't have assets.

[MbatataOwl]

That's her problem to deal with. She should have planned better

Considering the woman is elderly and in a care home she has no way to improve her situation. She would die.

Are you really ok with people dying because they're poor?

[GrannyPantsAreGreat]

'The lazy woman'..how is it that you have reached this conclusion about this woman?
You sound thick as a brick, OP.
I will work hard all my life. My family members have worked hard all their lives, often working in care homes.
Though none of us will ever have the money to pay those fees. It's incredibly difficult to save when you're on a pish wage topped up by UC.

[Wouldrathergoonholiday]

Fuck me OP. Even the Conservatives wouldn't leave her to fend for herself. That's extreme not giving a shit about the poor and vulnerable.

[SkirridHill]

I can't imagine thinking the way you do, do be honest.

If I had money I'd feel happy I could pay for my care. If I didn't have money I'd feel relief I lived in a society which doesn't just throw the poor in the gutter.

You're not a decent human being, OP. I would say I felt sad for you but I don't. I feel contempt for your complete lack of empathy.

[NotABeliever]

OP I work in the field. Let me tell you that you can't be on benefits without a "valid" reason: parent of a very young child, carer, highly disabled are all accepted as grounds for not needing to be available for work. Do you object to that? If not read on.

The people who don't fit these categories - and I am referring to working age population - don't get benefits. They are sanctioned or just don't qualify unless they are actively looking for work. There is no "lazy" or "not lazy". The system is designed to help those in the categories above abd the test only temporarily while they go back to work.

Is that wrong?? Of course not. That there are people who cheat the system does not mean that no one should be on benefits. And you'll be surprised how small the number of cheats actually is.

Additionally please do consider that in a civil society we pay for things we don't necessarily use through taxation because it is the right things to do. That way we can support the lady in the care home who hasn't worked because of a valid reason (see reasons above) instead of leaving her to die on the street.

[SkirridHill]

"If they would rather die they'd better do it, and decrease the surplus population".

[Bellysmackers]

@GrannyPantsAreGreat

'The lazy woman'..how is it that you have reached this conclusion about this woman?
You sound thick as a brick, OP.
I will work hard all my life. My family members have worked hard all their lives, often working in care homes.
Though none of us will ever have the money to pay those fees. It's incredibly difficult to save when you're on a pish wage topped up by UC.

My aunt has regularly spoken to the other woman, who openly admits she rarely worked during her life, had a council property and had 7 children that she admits she could barely afford to bring up. Clearly my Aunt feels upset that she worked full time until she was above retirement age, worked hard to pay off her mortgage, saved and tried to plan and now gets to pay £700 a week for care fees, whereas the other lady pays absolutely nothing. I will never change my viewpoint on this. To me it's unfair a day long. Be lazy - get rewarded.

[NotABeliever]

"And the rest"

[Bellysmackers]

@Dreamwhisper

Ah, of course, it all makes sense now!

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

🤣🤣 She has 2 children she is very close to so doubt I'd cop for any inheritance nor would I ever expect to or want to! So....you are incorrect on this point, but excellent try beaut!

[ilovesooty]

@Bellysmackers

That's her problem to deal with. She should have planned better.

Cop out. I knew you wouldn't have a viable answer.

[Oysterbabe]

Lazy??! She had 7 fucking kids. I have 2 and barely sit down.

[QueenieL1]

Bringing up seven children must be hard work I'd imagine.

[cadburyegg]

Why do people who are working ft earning good salaries not get help you mean? Fairly simple - their earnings are over the threshold. Of course people on lower incomes qualify for more. Do you want people to starve or freeze? A life as a higher earner is still much more financially comfortable than someone on benefits even if they are entitled to more.

I'm a single parent, I get some help from UC, I work part time, I would like more hours but my requests have been refused so far. I did and do work hard, I got good GCSEs and A levels and a degree, I work in a job that requires a degree and experience in the field. HTH.

[NotABeliever]

@cadburyegg

Why do people who are working ft earning good salaries not get help you mean? Fairly simple - their earnings are over the threshold. Of course people on lower incomes qualify for more. Do you want people to starve or freeze? A life as a higher earner is still much more financially comfortable than someone on benefits even if they are entitled to more.

I'm a single parent, I get some help from UC, I work part time, I would like more hours but my requests have been refused so far. I did and do work hard, I got good GCSEs and A levels and a degree, I work in a job that requires a degree and experience in the field. HTH.

Rachel MacLean would tell you to simply get a better paid job. What's the problem??
I wonder if the OP agrees?

[WhiteFire]

You are conflating lots of different issues.

I could, if I so desired, earn a lot of money, rent rather than buy and party hard and therefore have no assets when I require a place in a care home.

Am I better than that other woman? Am I more deserving because at least I earnt money? Or do I get left in the gutter too?

[QueenieL1]

From what your Aunt says about this lady, she's had a very hard life and would have been living in deprivation while bringing up her children.

[BattenburgDonkey]

@Bellysmackers

My aunt has regularly spoken to the other woman, who openly admits she rarely worked during her life, had a council property and had 7 children that she admits she could barely afford to bring up. Clearly my Aunt feels upset that she worked full time until she was above retirement age, worked hard to pay off her mortgage, saved and tried to plan and now gets to pay £700 a week for care fees, whereas the other lady pays absolutely nothing. I will never change my viewpoint on this. To me it's unfair a day long. Be lazy - get rewarded.

So why should your aunt be eligible for hand outs? She planned for old age and it’s worked out well as she can pay her care home fees, good for her! What are you bothered about if your not after the inheritance? You don’t no that ‘lazy’ woman’s whole story, why she had so many kids, what stopped her from working, and your auntie may well be as miserable as you so her version of this ladies life may not be accurate anyway.

Why be so miserable about someone else surviving in the world?

[Givenuptotally]

That's her problem to deal with. She should have planned better

So youbare advocating a judgement based system which leaves those judhed not to jave planned adequately for retirement left on the streets? I mean, it is clear you are happy with that but you realise that would result in higher levels of crime, that many neighbourhoods would become totally unsafe, gated communities would become the norm for those who can afford it (which wouldn't be many of us). People with dementia are unpredictable and sometimes a danger to others, that's before they are tired, cold and hungry. You're happy to live in that society?

[bruce43mydog]

I can't believe your calling a lady who brought up 7 children lazy. Having all them children to take care of is very hard work. If the lady didn't work a payed job then good for her, that was her choice and is absolutely none of your or anyone elses concern. The Lady with 7 children will of struggled all her life financially.
Your Aunt worked and provided herself a comfortable life. If your Aunt has the funds to pay care home fees thats amazing and your Aunt should be proud of that fact, but also understand that not everyone is in the same boat & some people need extra funding.