To think too many people are happy to live off benefits forever?

[BritishQueue]

Okay, I know this is a touchy subject here on MN, but I need to ask, AIBU to think that too many people are just choosing to stay on universal credit rather than work?

Obviously, I’m not talking about people who genuinely can’t work - disabilities, carers, etc (even though a lot of those who claim to be unfit for work are perfectly capable, and I’ve seen “carers” for people who don’t actually need any care…). But I know multiple people who are completely able-bodied and yet have no intention of ever getting a job. They say things like “it’s not worth it” or “I’d be worse off working,” and honestly, I don’t get it. I work full-time, pay tax, and yet I see people getting rent paid, extra handouts, and still managing holidays and luxuries I can’t afford. Not to mention that a lot of women think the government should subsidise their SAHM lifestyle.

I just don’t understand how it’s fair? Surely benefits should be a safety net, not a lifestyle choice? AIBU?

it's not cheating the system, no. It's the system which is wrong that it allows this to happen.
So you work low wage, pay taxes, can't afford holidays. I don't, your taxes pay for my living but I also can go on hols thanks to someone else. See nothing wrong with this? Maybe benefits lifestyle should not allow anything above very basic and any excess, like hols, should be taken to repay taxes spend on them?

I feel benefits should be enough to heat home, feed family, pay gas & electric. That's it.

Exactly.

"It is morally wrong to have other people paying taxes to pay your rent and then have relatives paying for your holiday."

I think it's fine.

So, what do you think should happen? I am on UC and my mum pays for a little holiday for me. Should that be stopped, and on what basis?

Clearly not since it makes no sense to you.

Let's explain it simply - someone is made redundant. They get a handsome redundancy package, which they bank. They have lots of money in the bank, so they do not need to claim benefits. They may decide that they can't be arsed with the rigmorole of benfits so they don't claim and live off the money they have until they get another job. However, they will be eligible for certain benefits which are not means tested - they don't "need" the benefit, but they are eligible for it because they have earned that eligibility, and they are perfectly entitled to take that money. They are not claiming illegally.

What about child benefit? People claim child benefit but that doesn't mean they all need the benefit, does it?

By your definition anyone claiming a non-means tested benefit that they don't "need" (which is a personal opinion, not a fact) is claiming illegally. They are not.

Do you see the difference now?

Then they need to increase them for most people, especially single people (both parents and non-parents)

Also, how do you propose we police what relatives spend their money on? You cannot force them to "donate" to HMRC instead of paying for holidays. Relatives will either find another, less trackable way to help, or they'll stop helping. Attempting to enforce nonsensical, aribtary rules that serve no purpose other than offsetting the jealousy of others will make no difference at all to the overall tax.

If you are job seeking, the benefits don't even cover that.
For people who are unable to work due to illness/disability, then I do think they should have the basics covered (running a car would come into that to) and a bit more for treats.

The thing is, plenty of people on here think they are the judge of whether someone else needs benefit or not.

I have another example. My partner left a job due to burnout and was signed off sick. He claimed contributions-based ESA which is not means tested. He had over £16k in savings.
So yes, he could have lived off his savings and not claimed benefits. But he was perfectly entitled to claim that ESA and did so. Also not illegal, and like the person in your example, he earned that eligibility based on his NI contributions.

How does one apply please? I need to know soon. The grass needs cutting. I need my goat.
Leave your job.

Single parent benefit
My post was on people who are unemployed.
Single parents who are unemployed receive money for their child in housing benefit, extra pre school hours, child weekly tax credit, school lunch.

.

As do parents.

There is no such thing as "single parent benefits". There is child benefit and the child element of UC, but anyone with a child is entitled to that.

I think your title is wrong OP.

I don't have a problem with people living off benefits.

What sticks in my craw is when people claim benefits and then "moonlight" on the side without declaring it for tax purposes.

UC basic single person is £394 per month. This dosent even cover my mortgage (no assistance with this anyway)Gas/electric just over £100 per month, bus fairs for work only £40, council tax £140, phone/internet for work & UC comitments the rest on food. Thankfully i do work but due to health issues that don't qualify for benifit support I can only work very part time- basically enough to pay the mortgage. Its depressing living like this. I'm working hard to be in a place where I can work more hours but its not a quick fix. Iv burn out from 25years in one sector & little experience else where. Should I not be able to spend money on nice things to help make this life worth it? Unless you've been at the bottom and have actual experience then I suggest you step away from your keyboard.
With your attitude i realy hope one day you find your self in the position of need help.

Yes and pretend they don’t have a partner living at their home

My Dad's currently in hospital. Over the weekend, as prior to getting onto a health crisis the stubborn old goat's self-care had slipped but wouldn't let me do much, I brought home a huge bag of his washing and duly put it out on the communal rotary washing line.

I joked to my friend that I hoped none of the hardliners on MN spotted me and reported me for having a man in the house as I'm currently a widow dependent on UC due to a series of unfortunate events which I have yet to completely process over the last three years on both an emotional and practical level.

I was only half joking. Thankfully it was a one off, and the sun was out so it was all dry and packed away by bedtime.

And this is how we roll, paranoid, insecure and ashamed. It's great fun.

🙄🫤😳

They’re a pittance if you’re a single childless bloke.

If you’re a single woman with a few kids, at least one of whom is on paper disabled, who claims UC/DLA/carers, then life can be very comfortable indeed, more so than for those in full time work.

But they have a disabled child.

That doesn't apply to every single person on benefits.

Exactly.

There seems to be an ever growing fantasy on here that we can be a nation of mostly unemployed benefit claimants, propped up by a few heavily taxed billionaires.

No, but an awful lot.

It isn’t lost on me that since the cap SO MANY people are pursuing diagnoses for non-tangible illnesses, and so many people seem to be ‘disabled’. Same goes for children - massive spike in diagnoses.

Carers allowance is a pittance. Full time care for about £80ish a week. Actual employed carers get the NMW at least. Unpaid carers save us a fortune.

Do you have the stats? How many people are claiming over 25k.

A pittance alone but it’s never alone is it? It’s claimed alongside UC, DLA, sometimes PIP as well. And in MANY cases households take in 2 or 3 lots of PIP/DLA.