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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be on low income , but dont want to claim benefit's

182 replies

Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 22:18

We are on low income working oart time each And live very simply . We have a 15 year old car , live on very simple food and enjoy being creative. No heating on ! …
we could claim top up benefits , but having paid taxes as public service workers paying tax for many years ,we don't Feel that it is right for the system to support us when we choose to work part time .. its nit the taxpayers job to pay for the choice We have made as we have got older and cant hack working in the public sector full time anymore .
people keep telling us we should claim .. we are not wearing hair shirts .. we simply feel it does not fit with us .. are we bu ? Is it normal to expect our income to be supplemented now that we feel burnout and need to do less hours ? For us , we would rather cut our cloth and although the lack of money can be hard it feels the right thing to do . We do not feel comfortable working oart time but expecting others to supplement our income as ultimately its out choice ?

OP posts:
WhyCantYourPartnerDoIt · 26/04/2023 22:20

Come on - this is textbook virtue signaling.

Why would you be unreasonable? If you don't want, it don't apply.

Quitelikeit · 26/04/2023 22:21

If that’s what you want to do then that’s your choice

Personally I find the state likes to take take take when given the choice though so I’d do the opposite to you!

Yazo · 26/04/2023 22:22

I don't see a problem claiming benefits, I have when I've been eligible. You don't have to, but it doesn't make you a better person if you don't.

hagueliue · 26/04/2023 22:22

I was unemployed for around 6 months after university and didn’t claim benefits as I found it embarrassing. Looking back, there’s no reason to be embarrassed and I might have got into work sooner. There definitely is stigma though but ultimately who cares if you’re struggling financially?

Original poster
Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 22:23

Its not virtue signalling at all . We are used to looking after ourself and find it odd that people seem to push us to claim benefits

OP posts:
InceyWinceySpidy · 26/04/2023 22:23

Stop being a martyr.

happinessischocolate · 26/04/2023 22:23

Good for you, but whilst MPs continue to claim hundreds of thousands in expenses on top of their generous salaries, and the royal family live in luxury I'd claim if I could.

SlippySarah · 26/04/2023 22:23

Presumably you have a degree of comfort that make this possible eg no or very small mortgage, no dependents? I know a number of people who only work the hours they need to so they devote their spare time to creative work that brings them more joy than any day job they could get.

Babyroobs · 26/04/2023 22:24

Depending on the ages of your children, you would likely not be able to work part time and claim benefits anyway.

ShyMaryEllen · 26/04/2023 22:24

Can you claim benefits if you are working part-time, or will they expect you to up your hours? Surely lots of people would rather be PT and have their salary topped up than work FT?

Original poster
Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 22:25

The point is if we choose to work part time why should we expect those who work full tome to support us . Doesn’t feel right .

OP posts:
SmurfHaribos · 26/04/2023 22:25

No one will make you OP - it’s a free country, do what is right for you.

StepAwayFromTheBiscuitJar · 26/04/2023 22:25

I'd normally say take what you're entitled to as others wont think twice. However, if you're willingly working less hours that's not really what it's for. It's for people who are struggling rather thsn a way to facilitate a chilled out lifestyle.

Groggygymdodger · 26/04/2023 22:26

Um no one is making uou claim, stand down, you don’t need ro seek public opinion on how altruistic you’re being.Confused

Sissynova · 26/04/2023 22:26

I don’t even understand a scenario in which so many people would repeatedly ’push’ you to apply for benefits? Unless you’re always moaning to them about your lifestyle.

You’ve made a decision, apparently you’re happy with it, don’t overshare with others, no one even needs to know your income.

SlippySarah · 26/04/2023 22:28

It's easier to live frugally if you don't work long hours. You can spend less on commuting and work clothes and can take more time to grow your own food, batch cook, shop around for bargains, fix and mend things that might otherwise get chucked... it's a nice lifestyle.

Oysterbabe · 26/04/2023 22:29

Who keeps telling you to claim? How do they even know about your finances? Unless of course you're making a big song and dance about not claiming...

NCGrandParent · 26/04/2023 22:30

AFAIK the number of hours you need to work to qualify for be exits is going up (or has gone up already). If you're in UK that is. You may not be entitled anyway.

Original poster
Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 22:30

We ate not meaning to be altruistic or anything . Its the idea that people __ suggest to us that its the norm to apply for top ups .

OP posts:
Kanaloa · 26/04/2023 22:31

Maybe just stop talking about your finances to people. It’s weird you know, I was a SAHM for a while then was part time for ages around young kids, and I was never ever bowled over by people demanding I apply for benefits. Generally I find people are so busy with their own foam car they don’t really care what you are or aren’t claiming.

So yeah. Obviously just live how you want. Do you think it’s possible that you’re rambling on smugly about your old car and frugal life and not a lot of money working part time and that’s encouraging people to suggest that you claim benefits?

MobyJeff · 26/04/2023 22:32

How are these people even aware of your financials? Just you do you and stop over sharing. You’d get on my wick. Work, don’t work, claim, don’t claim. Why should I care?

Original poster
Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 22:32

slippy Sarah yes that describes our lifestyle quite well !

OP posts:
NotABeliever · 26/04/2023 22:33

How silly. If you've paid into the system by way of national insurance contributions why would you not take back what you've paid in the form of a benefits top up? It is not immoral to.do.so, it's what the benefits system is for?

Sissynova · 26/04/2023 22:33

Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 22:25

The point is if we choose to work part time why should we expect those who work full tome to support us . Doesn’t feel right .

So don’t? This is a non issue. No one is forcing you to claim benefits you don’t want. This is ridiculous.

Groggygymdodger · 26/04/2023 22:33

Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 22:30

We ate not meaning to be altruistic or anything . Its the idea that people __ suggest to us that its the norm to apply for top ups .

Lol. Stop telling folks your income and that you’re not applying then. You don’t need to go round telling everyone. Which let’s be honest is the only way they would be telling uou to claim. Cringing for you. 😂