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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:
Neuronamechange · 26/04/2023 22:33

Even if you wanted to, wouldn’t you struggle to claim benefits whilst only working part time? Assuming no disability or young children, you have to meet the requirements for hours worked and job searches etc.

Chattycathydoll · 26/04/2023 22:33

It is the norm to apply for top ups.

It is the norm to claim what you are eligible for if you are working as many hours as you can (accepting this may not be full time for disabled/carers) and are still not well off enough to be over the threshold.

Of course it is not the norm to claim if you are working part time by choice and getting by.

In those circumstances you probably wouldn’t be eligible for anything anyway! UC expects you to work full time.

PonyPatter44 · 26/04/2023 22:35

I'm with those who find it bizarre that so many people in your life seem to be so aware of your financial situation. Maybe stop discussing income with people, and talk about something interesting instead.

InceyWinceySpidy · 26/04/2023 22:35

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...

I too, think this is the case.

This thread is just more of that.

Original poster
Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 22:36

Because if we are out locally we have to explain we cant drink in rounds or go put for meals … the people then suggest claiming … its onky when we have to decline invites and explain re money so as not to apear rude or look like we dont want to go which isnt the case .

OP posts:
MobyJeff · 26/04/2023 22:36

Really Tom and Barbara, the Good Life was a joke 40 years ago, and I really hope they don’t remake it.

Groggygymdodger · 26/04/2023 22:36

Good lord.

IncompleteSenten · 26/04/2023 22:37

If you don't want to then don't. It's not compulsory.

As long as you're not judging those who choose to claim that to which they are entitled or think you're morally superior to them

MyMachineAndMe · 26/04/2023 22:38

You sound a bit smug tbh. Don't claim if you don't want to but there's no reason to be so vocal about it.

We claim all the benefits we can get because that's what it's there for. Not claiming it isn't going to make anyone else better off and it's not as if you're taking money out of anyone else's pocket. The way I see it, if we have money to spend then we're more able to contribute to the economy, as we are more able to buy the things we want or need, and are therefore indirectly putting money into people's pockets.

LittleBrenda · 26/04/2023 22:39

Why are 'people' so involved in your finances and so vocal about your life?

FlyingCherries · 26/04/2023 22:42

wow, you’re really judging people who claim benefits aren’t you? Hope your part-time work is building up enough pension because you may find yourself a bit less smug and judgy in retirement.

Original poster
Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 22:43

Because they know we cant do somethings they invite us to due ro money and they are trying to ‘ fix’ it ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 22:44

No we are aware we are in pension contribution deficit

OP posts:
HowDoYouDoWhatYouDoToMeIWishIKnew · 26/04/2023 22:48

Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 22:43

Because they know we cant do somethings they invite us to due ro money and they are trying to ‘ fix’ it ?

You must have told them you don't claim anything then.

If I've had to turn something down because I'm skint I've never divulged what I claim, and nobody has asked.

It sounds like you just love to tell people that you're a martyr that you could claim, but heroically don't, which is tiresome, and cringeworthy tbh.

sevenbyseven · 26/04/2023 22:49

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?

No, this is really not what benefits are for! Unless there's a massive dripfeed coming, the OP and partner are both choosing to work part time for an easier life, and other taxpayers should not be expected to fund that decision.

Kanaloa · 26/04/2023 22:50

Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 22:43

Because they know we cant do somethings they invite us to due ro money and they are trying to ‘ fix’ it ?

Just lie then. Say ‘no we can’t this weekend, thanks.’ I don’t tend to tell people if I’m skint either way to be honest! Or say ‘we have everything we’re entitled to.’

Original poster
Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 22:52

Sevenbyseven yes thats exactly what i am saying . We choose to work part time due to burn out in public service jobs .. so we see this as out choice and Not the respons of others .

OP posts:
Gingerkittykat · 26/04/2023 22:54

If you are a couple without dependents than your income would have to be very low to claim benefits.

If you have kids then it would be wrong to deny them heating when you could claim top up benefits to make life easier for them.

Original poster
Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 23:00

Gingerkittykat if the dc were still at home , then we would not be part time as we would see utbas out job to provide dor them .

OP posts:
Original poster
Hidijihidoho · 26/04/2023 23:01

It as

OP posts:
Bk1000 · 26/04/2023 23:03

You wouldn’t be able to claim benefits just because you’ve decided to work part time so just tell people you aren’t entitled to them which is probably the case 🤷‍♀️

InceyWinceySpidy · 26/04/2023 23:17

HowDoYouDoWhatYouDoToMeIWishIKnew · 26/04/2023 22:48

You must have told them you don't claim anything then.

If I've had to turn something down because I'm skint I've never divulged what I claim, and nobody has asked.

It sounds like you just love to tell people that you're a martyr that you could claim, but heroically don't, which is tiresome, and cringeworthy tbh.

Show quote history

Exactly this.

When I've been strapped for cash, no one has ever, and I mean ever, asked if I'm claiming everything I am entitled too. Not once.

You are beyond cringey OP. No one's impressed. Quite the opposite.

gogohmm · 26/04/2023 23:18

If you don't want to claim that's your choice. If you did they would ask you to seek full time work unless you have caring responsibilities anyway

Conductpolicy · 26/04/2023 23:19

Do you have dc? If so then either work more or just claim for a while.

ThreeFeetTall · 26/04/2023 23:30

What is your housing situation? How are you coping with your rent or mortgage going up this year?