To feel annoyed that those on UC have more disposable income

[nappyvalley2024]

Myself and DH both work full time and have one child in nursery that we are paying for. We have a household income of just under £100k. After taxes, mortgage, student loan, NI, pension deductions and bills we are not actually left with a huge amount of disposable income. We are in the south east.

Brother in law and his partner have just had their first baby and announced that SIL will not be returning to work for at least 3 years. BIL earns roughly £30k and they live in social housing (lucky them). They will get around £900 a month in UC + no childcare bill.

So whilst we are running around like headless chickens trying to keep on top of things and juggle professional jobs, house renovations and parenting. My SIL will have the pleasure of sitting at home with no stress enjoying her baby. (SIL is known to be very lazy and also took the whole of her pregnancy off sick due to anxiety.)

At this point I just feel so deflated, and am wondering what the point is of working hard and being self sufficient. Funny thing is in laws think we are the lucky ones, when I don't actually think we are here. The system needs to change as there is no incentive to work.

The O/P doesn't have the security that the other couple has . If they are in social housing they are more secure , plus anyone can start up a pension .

And happy

Come back and tell us how you feel when you've paid off your mortgage, have therefore been able to give you children help with their own house or their university costs and you can enjoy your retirement on a decent pension.

They won't get any of that. Comparison really is the thief of joy.

Have you busied yourself and put their personal information that you think is correct and then gone and done an entitled to application 😂

No wonder you’re in a tiz!! That site is notoriously wrong, they won’t be getting all that money and why if your post is serious, do you have the time to try to figure out other families incomes?

Maybe you could go to the doctors and get yourself a claim for something because this isn’t usual behaviour, especially when you claim to be that busy but managed to get through that LONG arse form and post on here about the ridiculous results.

You sound like a hater anyway just for the ‘lucky them’ comment.

Surely it's the opposite? In laws have a secure tenancy at a low rent and if they lose their job they can claim more benefits. OP loses her job and won't be able to afford to continue her lifestyle.
At 30k presumably the bil has a decent pension.
What I don't get is how someone on 30k can claim benefits. It's well over the average wage. We are on not much more between us and don't claim anything

For them to get a house (when they’d usually just get a flat) in a desirable area quickly suggests there’s something more going on e.g disability.

I imagine they just don’t want to tell you because you’re not very good at hiding how judgmental you are.

This reads as a frothy goading post.
I hope it is because otherwise the poster would require a ban worthy response

Actually, you’re wrong. My borough pays a maximum of 75% of council tax support for those on the basic UC of £368.74 per month, as they class UC as income.

They only pay full support if you’re disabled and NOT working.

This . O/P all your hard work will pay off and you will start to reap what you have sown . Don't compare yourself with others .

OP, you sound very bitter. If you are unsatisfied with your life then make changes.
How can you be jealous of someone who has been signed off work due to anxiety? Would you prefer to be in her position?

For them to get a house (when they’d usually just get a flat) in a desirable area quickly suggests there’s something more going on e.g disability.

I imagine they just don’t want to tell you because you’re not very good at hiding how judgmental you are.

This is not true in this case, they inherited the tenancy.

It's true OP. Your BIL's salary is roughly same as my DH's. We get about £900 a month UC too. I am studying part time via the OU fully funded with a PTSG from SAAS (I am in Scotland) and 4 DC in school.

I appreciate everyone has very different circumstances. You can only do the best with what you have. At least you both have careers.

Oh look, another wind ‘em up benefits thread.

OP, as everyone else has said you are in a much better position than your in laws. Even in London, I cannot see how anyone on a combined 100k a year with their own house and the means to renovate to their taste/standards could ever be jealous of a small(er) income family with UC support. Dont blame them for your mismanagement of time and wealth.

I thought that was who we were talking about people disabled on benefits.

The SIL won't get free NHS dentist (past the first birthday of the baby) or free school meals or two year funding for low incomes as her partner earns too much. Many on universal credit aren't entitled to those things.

Then I guarantee they do not have lots of disposable income.

30k a year is about £1800/month after tax, nI & pensions. If £1000 is going 9n rent, there will be probably £200 Council tax, £300 energy bills...that leaves £300 before the UC cones into play.

Plus with 1 child and a 30k income I very much doubt they will get £900/month. As a single parent with 1 child on less than 30k I don't qualify for a thing.as the pp says, she has 4 kids and gets £900 so 1 kid won't give that level.

Don't be so quick to judge.

It's not you sil's fault you have over stretched your finances. 100k joint income is massive.

If you don’t have time to breathe I suggest prioritising your time on that over starting a benefits bashing thread about your family on MN.

You just don't like her. You wouldn't like her if she was struggling and penniless. You wouldn't like her if she was on the same as you and did the same as you.
FWIW I'm on UC with zero childcare, no family help, no maintenance, and I'm a part time cleaner on £6k a year and live on a council estate. We're not all like this woman.

I don't think it works like that nowadays.

The UC award is about right
Couples allowance (if both over 25) £578.82
Child 1 £269.58
Rent (if all falls under LHA rate) £1000
Total £1848.40

Wages £2035-work allowance £379= £1656
55% deduction = £910.80

Final award £847.40

Their total income is £2945.80

Your income, even assuming a 5% pension contribution is £5300 per month. Are you saying that the £2300 extra per month you get, along with the future security of owning your own house and pensions, doesn't feel enough to justify working?

What sort of renovations are you having done? I've had to put all of money on hold due to the COL crisis. As renovations are ££££, even when married to a builder.
Maybe you could share your income and outgoings?

Life is stressful with toddlers and renovations - definitely.

The in laws have no security now, or in the future.

Get real!

You are very lucky if you've never experienced how severe anxiety can be.

You own a home, with a sensible mortgage. You have a high income. Why be so bitter and jealous, and plain nasty about someone who is family??
No doubt when they struggle you'll delight in it.

And your statement is crap anyway - as a general rule, no one on UC is better off than someone with a 100k income. As mentioned, maybe look at your expenditure rather than blaming the rest of the world and your poor sister in law.

Sounds like your in laws are brilliant at budgeting to manage on a single income with top ups in central London!

You should ask them for some tips, I’m sure they’d be happy to tell you what they’ve cut back on to make it work.

And doesn’t your husband help with any of that?

That list is part and parcel of being an adult.

If you were on benefits of course you wouldn’t have to worry about that list - you would t be able to afford it!!!