AIBU to be angry about the benefits system

[Daffodilsinfebruary]

I have recently discovered by using a free, independent benefits calculator called entitledto that had I applied for Universal Credit over 2 years ago, me and my family would be over £16,000 better off.

I had assumed that benefits were for either single-parent families or people unable to work due to disability.

The majority of our savings would have been from claiming 85% back in childcare costs. We also would have had a payout of over £200 each month in addition.

For context, we bring in just shy off £4,000 a month. I thought this was a very reasonable income and we would be entitled to nil.

I feel angry that we did not know about this. A friend of mine who I met through our children attending the same nursery told me she claims 85% back in childcare costs during a conversation in which I complained of my childcare going up £150.

I did further research and 19 billion pounds apparently goes unclaimed every year.

I’ve never claimed benefits in all my life and worked hard to get on the property ladder.

should I be angry that we didn’t claim, or take it in my stride.

I wonder how many other families who could have claimed but haven’t.

Someone who is disabled and cannot work can get UC. Once assessed as having LCWRA ( Limited capability for work and work related activity ) they can get another £400 a month. When they are awarded that, if they have a partner they can then get a work allowance and if on PIP the partner can get a carers element regardless of how many hours they work. It's not great if neither are working but when that work allowance is factored in it really isn't bad.

The cost of living means that basic entry salary for living wage is now over £21k a year. 2 of those salaries equate a take home (excluding any student loan payments) of approximately £3800/month.
whereas one salary of £50k equates a take home of around £3200/month and also means you’re not able to claim any form of benefit and child benefit gets reduced just over this figure.
you only get the childcare vouchers through work I believe - I wouldn’t really feel too hard done by OP. Be grateful
you haven’t needed it to survive.
ifyou don’t need it then so be it. There are many others that are not in that position.

I'm pretty sure if you actually applied through the official claims platform you wouldn't be entitled to anything. If you say you have plenty of disposable income you shouldn't be entitled to benefits. My family of 4 are on the brink of eligibility since I have started to up my work hours through self employment + employment for the first time in 5 years since becoming a mum. Some months I receive a payout and others I get £0. Dependant on my self employed income for that month. So even though we technically qualify for 85% child care costs repaid, it is looked at as a whole regards to meeting the threshold for allowance.

Good for those on UC, not for those still waiting to be migrated over though. Nobody in my circle is on anywhere near this amount of money - they’re visiting food banks and skipping meals.

Well OP's example shows that it isn't... many more people are on universal credit and get top ups to be able to afford luxuries frankly!

You can choose to switch to UC if you so wish. You don’t have to wait for managed migration.

Anyone can choose to migrate over to UC at any time. They just need to make sure they will be better off.

Applying for benefits should be easier. It should be all one system. It isn’t.

one for universal credit
one for PIP
one for child benefit
one for childcare cost
one for this one for that. Each one needs virtually the same info, is horrendous if you’re a single disabled parent of three children.
I’ve barely time for a shower let alone all the hoop jumping (try doing that in a wheelchair). I swear they want blood, your inside leg measurement and cup size.
Need to change one little detail - nope you have to start all over. Ff’s!

UC rolled six benefits into one. The current government are looking to do away with the work capability assessment on UC and link it to PIP, Childcare costs are part of a UC claim as this thread shows but I agree the other childcare that's available can be confusing. I don't see how they could make PIP part of UC as many people claiming PIP will not be on a low enough income to claim UC or may have significant savings that rule them out of claiming?

At least she works, unlike a lot of job-dodging layabouts who are claiming absolutely everything.

Exactly. Not sure how people can begrudge others getting help with childcare when it keeps someone in the workforce paying taxes for many years to come. It's not like she's going on a cruise with the UC money is it, it's just helping towards paying a ( massive ) bill ?

Absolutely…but that’s not what I’m saying is a joke it’s the fact ppl can have an income of £4000 and still get benefits….that is a joke

She would only be getting the money due to extortionate childcare costs ?

its a Chinese bot - people don’t “tend” to their children

@Lavenderblue11 but I also agree there are far to many job dodgers claiming

I’m confused.
are you mad that you didn’t claim,
or mad that other people are?

I just don’t understand the whole benefits thing if you’re bringing in a good wage £4000 why are you getting anything childcare or not

I thought it was quite well known that lots of people who claim Tax Credits or Universal Credit are actually in work. It’s not all that unemployed or disabled people as you think.

Have neither of you got a childcare scheme at work where you can use salary sacrifice?

Just and FYI I don't think you get tax free childcare and universal credit childcare fees

Can you not see how if a family is paying out £1300 in childcare fees a month and a mortgage of £1200, possibly having to run 2 cars to get kids to and from nursery and work in different places, paying £300 a month in council tax etc, that even with 4k coming in , there may not be a lot left for luxuries. this is an example my friend with two kids under five gave me last night of her own finances. She doesn't even live in a hugely expensive area !

People get 85% of their childcare paid for them? I genuinely had no idea. I did wonder how people who I know who are not high earners were funding 20k pa per child at nursery. I must be the only one paying full fees.

No they don't necessarily get that. 85% of childcare costs is paid as the childcare element of Universal credit and this is added to any other element that people qualify for. Then earnings reduce the whole Uc total, so someone could be paying £1500 a month on childcare but won't necessarily get 85% of that back due to the deduction for earnings. Some people on low incomes could be getting most of it back but not the majority. Some people of course also get the free hours ( term time) or use other childcare schemes.

No I don’t ppl should live to there means it not up to the government to fund for luxurys

What a stupid, ignorant comment.

And it’s “their” and “luxuries”.

There’s absolutely no way you’re entitled to that much. We get £400 with a combined income of £2700.