Page 37 | Benefits reduction

Bonsaitreepic · 2023-09-22T07:49:40+00:00

I got my UC payment today. Just checked and it’s almost £300 less than usual. This is because my oldest is now classed as an adult as he’s left ft education. He’s not currently in work. I have 3 other children but now I seemingly only get support for 2 of them due to the child cap. Im freaking out. I only get maintenance for one of the children as I have the other 2 50/50 with their dad. I cannot afford to lose this much money every month. I was already struggling as it was. I’m unable to work just yet as one of the children has complex needs. I already get some DLA for them. im quite sure there’s nothing I can do about this but I’m so worried

Diddlyumptious · 23/09/2023 21:40

Why shouldn't your eldest get a job and pay his way? Why should the state support him? He's an adult doing nothing. Time for a reality check I'm afraid

AndIKnewYouMeantIt · 23/09/2023 21:40

Fluff3 · 23/09/2023 21:39

But what is being said is the truth

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Ugh, gross.

Kettledodger · 23/09/2023 21:40

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So if I went out to work for minimum wage sorry didn't stay in school 35 years ago a regret of mine but can't turn back the clock. Me and my disabled partner would still need help because minimum wage barely covers rent these days let alone anything else. Then the government would need to pay for a paid carer to be with my partner while I'm working which would cost a hell of a lot more than the measly 300pm I get as a carer.

catskittens · 23/09/2023 21:40

myfaceismyown · 23/09/2023 21:16

There is no point chastising the op. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but shows little purpose other than as a learning exercise. If you have any ideas as to how she might improve her situation, much appreciated.

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well maybe others that have kids coming up to this age in a similar situation hopefully will now deal with it when notified by the relevant people and not leave it till after the event

plan plan plan thats my advice

Kettledodger · 23/09/2023 21:42

Damn the post was deleted while I was replying. Now I just look daft

myfaceismyown · 23/09/2023 21:44

@PinkMoscatoLover I am glad it is your last comment. You are somewhat unpleasant, and have no insight as to anyone's mental accuity. but I wish you well.

PinkMoscatoLover · 23/09/2023 21:46

Fluff3 · 23/09/2023 21:39

But what is being said is the truth

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How is that the truth? It’s laughable when people make comments like, ‘just because you have a child with additional needs doesn’t mean that you can’t work.’ Do you know what it’s like to have children and one (or multiple) have a disability?

Just to give you an insight, my son has a rare genetic disorder which only 600 people in the world have. He’s 17 months old and spent some time in NICU. His care team consists of the dietician, physio, salt, OT, upper limb clinic which is also apart of OT, ophthalmology, paediatrician and that’s just off the top of my head. I’m sure I missed some. He has weekly appointments and I haven’t even mentioned his day to day care that’s needed.

My 2 year old then has Autism. The girl barely sleeps, barely eats and is non verbal. I won’t even get into the fact that I’m taking the council to tribunal to get my daughter the help she actually needs. All of this and I still manage to work twice a week. My son’s paediatrician actually advised me to not work because I have so much stress to deal with day to day.

Life is not easy for those that have children with disabilities. Some have it easier than others and I’m sure many more have it worse than me. If you can’t understand why someone in my position may not be able to work then it’s a good thing the government thinks differently and doesn’t expect carers to work!

Viersen1 · 23/09/2023 21:46

Ok.

Maybe some things have changed. My son got the UC and then the £250 on top as he was on my rental contract.
Hope you find a solution soon tho Best of luck.

AndIKnewYouMeantIt · 23/09/2023 21:46

AllyCart · 23/09/2023 21:27

Than, not "then".

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Really? Nice.

PinkMoscatoLover · 23/09/2023 21:47

AllyCart · 23/09/2023 21:27

Than, not "then".

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Okay? Hope that makes you sleep better at night love

Stanleygirl · 23/09/2023 21:50

Yes just a job that’s life

MonikerBing · 23/09/2023 21:51

Fluff3 · 23/09/2023 21:26

I dont mean to be rude, and I do understand your situation because I am also struggling to pay bills, but a lot of FT workers who dont claim benefits have also lost similar amounts of money, due to the current cost of livng, and nobody cares a damn about them.

A good friend of mine who works FT as a nurse, last winter couldnt afford to turn her heating on or pay her council tax. She is currently facing court action. She is dreading this winter. She has 2 young kids. Yet your complaining that your benefits, a luxury you get from tax payers, from, workers who are also struggling to pay their bills, has been cut. You probally earn more money than a lot of people do working FT. Me personally would love to have £50 spare a month to have as "pocket money". Im lucky if I break evan.

As people above have suggested, your son needs to get a job. My 18 year old son is currently in a FT university course and working 30 hours a week in a pub. He understands life is expensive, and to fund it he needs to earn his keep. My 16 year old daughter also has a PT job to fit around her schooling, as does most of her friends. You could also get a PT job. You state you share your children 50/50 with your ex. The 50% of time you dont have them, you could work. Yes its hard, yes you dont have any time to yourself, but how do you think other parents manage ?. Children copy their parents, if they see you not working and getting paid the privilage of doing so, they will as well. Set them an example

In a few years time, all your children will be grown up. Your benefits will stop. Your children will more than likely move out. You will be left alone with no job, no benefits and an empty house, what will you do then ?

But the issue isn't with the OP and people claiming benefits - the welfare system is there to support people like the OP. The issue is with wages, and rents and prices. The issue is with the Government. The frothers on this thread are attacking the wrong person here. You are all angry with the wrong person. And the OP and people like her (aside from the issue with her possibly being able to take more off her DS) are also struggling, because benefits do not cover basic costs now, and even if people are working, they are still increasingly likely to be in poverty.

Stanleygirl · 23/09/2023 21:51

EXACTLY 👌👌

PinkMoscatoLover · 23/09/2023 21:53

The frothers on this thread are attacking the wrong person here. You are all angry with the wrong person.

100% but that will never change. The focus will also be on the person claiming benefits, not the actual government and why people are struggling so much in the first place

Stanleygirl · 23/09/2023 21:54

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AndIKnewYouMeantIt · 23/09/2023 21:54

Stanleygirl · 23/09/2023 21:51

EXACTLY 👌👌

Exactly what?

OvertakenByLego · 23/09/2023 21:58

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Carers save the state a fortune.

MarrymeJM · 23/09/2023 21:58

AllyCart · 22/09/2023 11:10

He can panic about what he wants to do while he's working, earning money and contributing, though.

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This. So many youngsters just want to spend their youth 'figuring out' what they want to do. Sometimes it's easier by working whatever jobs come to you and realising that that isn't what you want to for the rest of your life. I was still 15 years when my mother took me to a sewing factory the week I finished school and worked a full 40 hour week on an industrial sewing machine . I quickly looked for other jobs that would be a career for me too. I didn't want to be a sewist but love sewing as a hobby.
Most of the youth today in the UK have it too easy for them . They are not hungry enough and therefore not motivated enough.

Notsupermumof7 · 23/09/2023 22:04

If your child gets DLA you're not benefit capped only the two child cap applies
You should be getting a disability element on UC as well as carers element. Depending on the child rate that between £250-400+ more than most each month plus the normal cap is lifted
You can claim carers but that's deducted £4£ from UC but it can be helpful because you can ask for it weekly.

PinkMoscatoLover · 23/09/2023 22:04

@Stanleygirl

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-public-spending-was-calculated-in-your-tax-summary/how-public-spending-was-calculated-in-your-tax-summary

20% of taxes between the year of 2021-2022 were spent on Welfare. How much do you really think was contributed and put towards unemployment benefits? Not a lot. I’d link it for you but you’re clearly SO smart due to work FT since you were 14 so I’m sure you can work it out. I can guarantee you that your measly taxes are NOT going towards unemployed people and you’re not paying for anyone. HTH

How public spending was calculated in your tax summary

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-public-spending-was-calculated-in-your-tax-summary/how-public-spending-was-calculated-in-your-tax-summary

myfaceismyown · 23/09/2023 22:07

I don't think I understand the whole "frothers" comments other than as a slur.
on the one side you have tax payers who are struggling to make ends meet and on the other those on benefit, from no fault of their own, also struggling. There is absolutely no reason to attack one another. Obviously tax payers will feel resentful if they can't pay their bills and a chunk of their pay seems to go to help others that will not work. Those on benefit will feel resentful if funds are cut. In truth the situation is far more complex. The government (to me are just overgrown public school kids with no real life experience) will not fix this. I actually think the common sense advice on Mumsnet is generally instructive! It is sad when we turn on ourselves. We are parents with life experience across a very broad field who can genuinely offer sound advice.

Princessandthepea0 · 23/09/2023 22:15

myfaceismyown · 23/09/2023 22:07

I don't think I understand the whole "frothers" comments other than as a slur.
on the one side you have tax payers who are struggling to make ends meet and on the other those on benefit, from no fault of their own, also struggling. There is absolutely no reason to attack one another. Obviously tax payers will feel resentful if they can't pay their bills and a chunk of their pay seems to go to help others that will not work. Those on benefit will feel resentful if funds are cut. In truth the situation is far more complex. The government (to me are just overgrown public school kids with no real life experience) will not fix this. I actually think the common sense advice on Mumsnet is generally instructive! It is sad when we turn on ourselves. We are parents with life experience across a very broad field who can genuinely offer sound advice.

It’s also incredibly short sighted. 54.2% of the adult population are now classed as net takers (office of national statistics, 2023). Less people are paying in than people that take out. That means for the genuinely ill people who can’t work - less people are paying for it. That means long term the safety net will reduce. The statistics are there - we are in a situation where the minority are now funding welfare and society - antagonising them to the point they don’t bother is a bit turkey/Christmas... The government are already doing a good job of that with tax anomalies. People around middle incomes are becoming very disillusioned and cross. They won’t get CHB yet can see the likes of op’s son using UC to find himself. Frothers is such a pathetic and childish response - not to mention short sighted.

SofiYol · 23/09/2023 22:18

Princessandthepea0 · 23/09/2023 22:15

It’s also incredibly short sighted. 54.2% of the adult population are now classed as net takers (office of national statistics, 2023). Less people are paying in than people that take out. That means for the genuinely ill people who can’t work - less people are paying for it. That means long term the safety net will reduce. The statistics are there - we are in a situation where the minority are now funding welfare and society - antagonising them to the point they don’t bother is a bit turkey/Christmas... The government are already doing a good job of that with tax anomalies. People around middle incomes are becoming very disillusioned and cross. They won’t get CHB yet can see the likes of op’s son using UC to find himself. Frothers is such a pathetic and childish response - not to mention short sighted.

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If you want to find the biggest “takers” in society, look up not down.

PinkMoscatoLover · 23/09/2023 22:22

People obviously have different definitions of what frothers means when it comes to benefit bashing then I do. I clearly spend too much time on Reddit

DizzyBrunette1979 · 23/09/2023 22:27

Hiya, i don't think you're being 'unreasonable' buy maybe a little unrealistic.
My son left school and got a job and I immediately started charging him £350 a month (plus he pays for any meals I cook him...and has his own shelf in the fridge for him to buy his own food).
Try not to be soft on him, it will teach him the way of the world. My son is now 20 and many of his friends are jobless still leaching off their mums while mine bought his own car, nice clothes and is going on holiday twice a year. Boys need pushing and a bit of tough love.
He knew from the moment he left school that I would need to replace the universal credit I get for him as a matter of survival for myself as a single mum (and his siblings).
Stick to your guns but don't just nag, give real consequences.
I have a great relarionship with my son.
Good luck x