To think the cost of living payment should have been paid differently?

[muddlinthroughit]

Would like to think 99% of people have used it as it's meant, to help with food, fuel etc

However, on my socials today I have seen 1 person spend it on nails and 2 tattoos, and another on a PS5....

Not sure that's what it's meant for?

We have put ours aside for food and power and to help with Xmas

Nobody ‘hates’ benefit claimants, at least not that I’ve seen. You can acknowledge that somebody spending taxpayers money they allegedly ‘desperately need’ on a PS5 is grating, and that our politicians are greedy spongers.

But plenty of people getting the payments are also tax payers.

Yes but they’ve basically had a partial refund haven’t they? Whereas we haven’t.

Ah, I'm starting to feel a bit sorry for you @Cuppasoupmonster. Maybe one of your friends who gets this payment will treat you. You sound like you need a some milk of human kindness.

Well I won’t be getting it in the nail bar or local Wetherspoons will I 😂

You never know @Cuppasoupmonster, they might treat you to a mini mani or lunch out.

Whilst I see what you are saying about applying it to essentials, given people money to spend on non-essential items is good for the economy. It keeps people in jobs and govt gets VAT.

Tell you what @Cuppasoupmonster I’ll give you a ride on my electric wheelchair (not paid for by the government)) whilst I can still afford the leccy to charge it, maybe that’ll cheer you up!
(I get to choose what I spend money on, it’s called the last vestiges of dignity).

I've spent some of mine on thermal leggings

Can't decide whether I should be burning them for fuel, or eating them?

I wont be moaning in December about spending £20 in November.

I live alone so my payment will go a lot further than someone with kids to clothe/feed/entertain.

I'm not eligible but if I was it would likely go towards Christmas because I'm terrible at saving. Just like you OP ey?

There's always a bigger picture, those not entitled to it may have a mortgage or can afford to rent in a far better area than I do

They probably had a choice where they live, due to finances I don't. So if I decided to spend £40 on a one off meal out those that can't are probably sitting pretty in a much safer area than I am.

It's not enough for me to be able to move to an area that's safe to walk around or that doesn't have drug dealers sat in cars outside . I know which I'd prefer

Thank you just waiting for col payment then going to apply as need to be in advance of rent as if get even £500 in arrears of rent my local council puts in for eviction orders .

This thread shows the system is really flowed,

there are people on benefits that are really struggling to make ends meet, then there people who are not qualified For any handouts or top-ups yet are still struggling to make ends meet , then there claimers who use the tops ups for non essential things because what the total of handouts they get is more than enough to cover their expenses so any top ups is surplus.

That’s a great idea Vlad I’d definitely support that. I think I’d even say that things such as value pack lemonade for 17p in Aldi is a definite no-no from me. I mean, the cheek of it!! But are wrist bands going to be humiliating enough? I’d say orange jumpsuits would be better with ‘scrounger’ on the back. Just so everyone else is sure that they can point and laugh. I mean, we wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity 🙄 🙄

My son got the disability and it’s going on stuff he needs atm. I do wonder on the way it was allocated though as to all on universal credit and some on it will earn more than 40k but still be topped up. But I suppose it’s an easy way to allocate it.
I do think some will blow it but then moan they have no money for stuff they need but that’s ppl in general.

I would be surprised if anyone was earning £40k and getting universal credit as well.

It's almost like people budget differently an prioritise different things 🙄

If I had a spare £100 to spend on fun, I'd buy theatre tickets. My sister would spend it on something boring like embroidery stuff.
Similarly, if my sister and I had £100 benefits I'd buy more of some stuff than her and less of other stuff. I might blow the budget because I shop at Asda and she might have left over because she goes to Lidl. So I'd be claiming I need the top ups more than her because i spend more. How do you work this out to decide who gets the extra money?

I haven't called you bitter and jealous, and I've acknowledged there a gap in the middle, there's always a gap because it's past too few people or too many. It is never going to be a perfect system because that would cost too much.

But you don't seem to have an alternative to complaining that a tiny fraction (how much tax do you pay a year, 1/4 goes on welfare of which this is just a tiny bit) goes to help people in as much need as you or slightly less need. Instead you seem to prefer if you can't have it no one does and screw every one else

Yes we are, thanks.

Instead you seem to prefer if you can't have it no one does and screw every one else

Not at all. I’m all for the payments going to people who genuinely need them. In my view, somebody who spends it on a PS5 or meal out doesn’t need it.

They were entitled to it though.

Yes, and I don’t have to be happy about it as a taxpayer 🤷🏼‍♀️

Do you make over the top demands on NHS staff because you "pay their wages" too?

Be grateful you dont need to claim benefits? Far better to earn a decent wage than worry that they will mess up your UC for the month.