Friend earns as much as me on benefits

[NattyFinch]

I felt really shocked and conflicted after a discussion with a friend recently that revealed that she receives over £2000 a month on benefits for 2 children while I work full time as a single parent with one child for a similar amount (once I’ve paid all my taxes, ni etc). It stemmed from her saying she was going for ivf treatment at 48 at a total cost of £8000. I’m supportive as a friend and try not to be a judgmental person but this just seems unjust when I’ve worked so hard to stay in employment and raise my son single-handedly for 12 years. She doesn’t want to move to England because if the ivf is successful she will get more money to stay in Scotland. AIBU to think this is all bonkers ?!

We get the Scottish child payment, if you get Uc it’s just over one hundred a month per child.

The thread is probably a wind up.

If she is earning that much from benefits then that question could be answered 🤔

She dies not EARN anything.

For all those doubting IVF at 48, whilst it may not be possible here, there are many fertility clinics abroad which will provide IVF to women of this age and older. Almost always with donor eggs.

Yeah but how much will that cost? You can't even claim welfare if you have over 16k and you get less and less for the more you have over 6k.
Those places have low rates of success but as long as someone's paying they'll take their money. Katy price recently tried IVF at 45 and the chances of success were below 1% the clinic was still happy to take her money

It wasn't her money. Channel four paid for it.

Fair enough

Don’t claim to be better though. The very fact that you’ve come onto Mumsnet spouting this dog-whistle shite is pretty repugnant IMO. I hope the inevitable benefit bashing makes you feel better and eases your inner turmoil, OP 👏

It's amongst the most blatantly goady, benefit bashing threads I've seen.

And that's saying something recently.

YABVU to say you are not judgemental, yet are offering your "friend" up on here as a benefit piñata, ready to be bashed.

I think it’s about time we stop and give out naff all to those who play the system. They should be house in a hotel like structure with a studio apartment with bunk beds and necessities. A canteen to cater for them. No need to give them any money whatsoever.

Yeah, we thankfully abolished work/poor houses nearly a hundred years ago.

Most working people are a few pay cheques away from being homeless.

Not rolling in it and not safe from financial emergencies either.

When will people learn not everyone are in jobs that offer security or progression.

A lot of people have realised they are just poor puppets working themselves to the bone to line the pockets of already rich men.

There are no incentives to working for a lot of people, they can’t pay all their bills or buy jonny new school shoes or book a lovely holiday at the end of the year, and thats working full time.

We live in a sick materialistic capitalist society that keeps moving the goal posts for the average person.

I’m sure someone will be along to talk about living beyond your means or getting a degree to further your potential etc.
Well simply put not everyone has the intelligence or the self esteem to do that.

...unless you have two different MN accounts.

Which is sock-puppetry and a fast-track route to an IP ban.

I can't talk for anyone else but it's always been accurate for me, at least the 'entitledto' one that I use. And based off what I get, adding another kid in would take the OPs friend over the 2k mark.

Most of mine goes on a legal cannabis prescription and my plane.

Probably so she doesn't have to work. Or to keep a man.

2 kids= about 600
One adult =311
The 800 rent you mentioned= 800

Comes to 1711 universal credits which sounds about right from my past experience of being unemployed. I'm not sure where you got the extra 400 in your calculation from. You don't get any extra for a third kid

Yes a lot of people do take advantages of the system particularly the disability system for mental health although no one on here seems to want to hear that.

Disability benefits are extremely difficult to get, particularly in the cases of MH disabilities that you describe, here.

You don't just fill in a piece of paper and get given a load of money.

Lots of evidence is required, from medical professionals. You are usually turned down the first time. Usually have to then go to tribunal to get the decision overturned.

But you probably don't want to hear that.

Unless you're trying to say that only physical disabilities are genuine disabilities?

Swingers BDSM or normal BDSM?

Special swingers club for folk on disability benefits. There are loads of us getting off on hard working tax payers money.

@jessycake I agree- and these folks will have a very nasty shock when children are over 18 -

have you considered switching to something marginally more ecofriendly, like a yacht

Yes but universal credit isn't the only benefit she'll be getting. Her benefits in total will be -

1 adult = £393
2 children = £621
Rent = £800
Council tax = £83
Child benefit = £184
Scottish child payment = £231.

All verifiable on entitled to if you want to double check.

My friend had IVF at 48 - and it cost less than that abroad.

I get around 36,000 a year total on benefits with 1 disabled child (including his DLA). Tbh I can see why it makes people angry, £3000 a month is a lot but that doesn't mean I shouldn't claim what's out there available for me.