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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Unfair benefits sanction?

212 replies

Snowymorning · 16/12/2023 21:17

Not a begging post and I’ll make things work but just wanted opinions whether I’ve been unfairly treated. I lost my job about 9 months ago due to cuts at work and I’m currently on Universal Credit and have been looking for work around school hours as I’m a single parent and my daughter is in reception . I was signed up for a back to work programme called Restart. Restart kept booking appointments in at school pick up time even though I had told them I can’t attend at these times. I always let them know and asked to rearrange but they kept doing it. I’ve now been sanctioned by the job centre for not attending two Restart appointments booked in at 3pm and they’ve took £363 off me this month. I just think this is unfair at Christmas time especially as a single mum with a 4 year old. I really don’t have anyone else who could have collected my daughter for me either. Fairly new to area and don’t know anybody who could have. Is this fair for them to have done this?

OP posts:
Namenamchange · 17/12/2023 22:02

3K a month in benefits? Sorry, what? Did you type that in error?

the error is the government with its lack of affordable housing, lack of investment in social housing, lack of rent controls and letting housing costs spiral out of control, and still they have no plan how to tackle it, and rents continue to rise, and the benefit bill will too, and as they rise more people will end up needed universal credit.

who benefits from the high rents?

Nospringchix · 17/12/2023 22:20

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 17/12/2023 10:10

Because even disgusting child abusers and rapists are given 3 meals a day. Those who are subject to cruel sanctions are probably lucky if they get one meal. 300+ plus taken is nye on 100 PW. No one will ever change my views about that being unfair so with the greatest respect its not worth even trying.

Show quote history

I agree with you. I hope OP appeals.

BabyMinnie · 17/12/2023 22:20

Namenamchange · 17/12/2023 22:02

3K a month in benefits? Sorry, what? Did you type that in error?

the error is the government with its lack of affordable housing, lack of investment in social housing, lack of rent controls and letting housing costs spiral out of control, and still they have no plan how to tackle it, and rents continue to rise, and the benefit bill will too, and as they rise more people will end up needed universal credit.

who benefits from the high rents?

Edited

I agree with this. It’s a never ending cycle which is just getting worse

DrCoconut · 17/12/2023 22:48

Who benefits from high rents? Government ministers and their wealthy pals who are siphoning off money in the form of ever increasing housing benefit payments for their property portfolios while pointing the finger at their tenants for "taking taxpayers money".

Northernsouloldies · 17/12/2023 23:04

It's a government tactic.... Demonise benefit claimants thus creating a them and us society.

WorriedMum231 · 17/12/2023 23:07

boozeclues · 16/12/2023 21:50

I don’t think it’s fair but you do need to look at full time employment rather than school hours. Just working school hours is really unobtainable for anyone, there are not many jobs out there where you can demand this, plus you will get extra benefit for childcare if you worked more hours.

and more importantly perhaps find a career path or a long term steady income for you and your daughter, living on benefits must be rough, but there is tonnes of options out their

Tonnes of options? What on earth are you going on about.

RaininSummer · 17/12/2023 23:40

OP.. Restart are supposed to reimburse travel costs. Also you could ask your coach to synchronize your next job centre appointment with the Restart one if possible to save on costs or you could request a video appointment occasionally.

ALongHardWinter · 18/12/2023 01:01

Namenamchange · 16/12/2023 21:24

Fair

Why?!

WorriedMum231 · 18/12/2023 11:39

@Dacadactyl claimants are given the bare minimum to make ends meet. Sanctions are unjust and immoral. Do you honestly feel that starving people is a fair and just punishment?

Densol57 · 18/12/2023 15:40

ALongHardWinter · 18/12/2023 01:01

Why?!

Show quote history

If you read the message above it was the same poster just correcting a typo . They should have just edited their original post tho.

Unfair benefits sanction?
Goldcrestonabranch · 18/12/2023 15:44

I really think you should broaden the search. Unless your child has SN when child are is a totally different ballgame, I don't understand why you limit your hours so much. There are childminders, before and after school clubs. UC pays for a large chunk of childcare if your pay is low.

Beezknees · 18/12/2023 16:06

Goldcrestonabranch · 18/12/2023 15:44

I really think you should broaden the search. Unless your child has SN when child are is a totally different ballgame, I don't understand why you limit your hours so much. There are childminders, before and after school clubs. UC pays for a large chunk of childcare if your pay is low.

She has already responded to this, the after school club doesn't take reception age children. Childminders are few and far between in some places too, I live in a decent sized town and there are barely any here!

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