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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder why people get away with living on benefits as a 'lifestyle choice'?

58 replies

canttouchthis · 04/06/2009 11:28

Sorry if this has been done to death, but it's something I just need to have a rant about...

We have relatives who seem to be raking it in on benefits. The mother runs a website from home (but doesn't earn a great profit - so this is bulked up in WTCs), her H is on JSA (has been for 4 years now) and has never tried to get a part time job (even though he has been training part-time as a gym instructor). They own their own home, and also own their own car. Yet neither of them go out to work! It doesn't seem to bother them that they aren't earning a steady income, they seem quite happy to live off benefits. Does anyone else know people like this and how do you feel about it?

It just makes me sick to think there are other out there who are struggling to earn enough to live and pay the bills then there are people like this who just scrounge and think they deserve it??

I just want to say that I have nothing against people living on benefits where there is no other choice for them. It's people who go out of their way to live on benefits because they can't be bothered working that really annoy me!

OP posts:
Gorionine · 04/06/2009 12:08

Just realised my post is unreadable! I will try to summerise my point : You are either outraged enough to do something about it or you are not. Either way, dwelling on it will not change the situation.

Original poster
canttouchthis · 04/06/2009 12:12

true gorionine, think I may report them, have found the benefit fraud hotline number online. will be interesting to find out what they think of the situation..

OP posts:
Peachy · 04/06/2009 12:13

If they're on non-contributions based JSA the only TC's they get are the ones that replaced the old income support for kids malarky- it's just administered differently. If she's making more than a few pounds profit a week then she's cliaming faudulently, she should have her business registered for tax purposes to get TC's without JSA so that's checkable I believe if you felt the need

Do remember though that if you do decide to take action the children will inevitably be affected to the extrent they may even lose a prent for custodial time: whilst you could argue that the parent deserves that, i wouldn't think the children do tbh

Peachy · 04/06/2009 12:13

canttuchthis the hotline will take info but won't give you any- that's confidential, so you won't know what they think IYSWIM

Stretch · 04/06/2009 12:15

I get so annoyed with people thinking the Tax Credits are a benefit. Pisses me right off.

OP, You sound lovely..

Overmydeadbody · 04/06/2009 12:15

Because it's easy? That's why some people choose it as a lifestyle choice.

You cannot judge others though if you don't know all the circumstances.

Peachy · 04/06/2009 12:17

Stretch tax credits can be a sort of benefit depending- for soem they simply replace the old tax allowance but for many including us it also delivers what used to be known as family credits, plus some disability allowances.

It's the wide variance of payments handled through the system that leads to confusion.

VinegarTits · 04/06/2009 12:19

you would report your own relatives for fraud when you dont even have hard evidence

glad im not related to you

Stretch · 04/06/2009 12:22

I appreciate that peachy, it's just the general assumption that people on Tax credits are 'scrounging' off 'hard working people' while staying at home. PLus the fact that no-one seems to care that (some) millionaires get tax relief/tax dodge, they just pay people to find the loopholes for them!

GypsyMoth · 04/06/2009 12:25

Fgs what IS the problem op?

You have no facts, only hearsay from other relatives. What business is it she runs? For all you know it could be selling stuff on eBay!!

You know so little........ Fraud hotline need specifics, not just a hunch!

Peachy · 04/06/2009 12:27

Ah I see LOL

I think that if you get off your arse and do your best you deserve what you are need to be supported- tax credits offer that to people 9in the main) who have a job above 16 hours.

We need the poepl on the lower incomes as a sociaety to function so it makes huge sense (OK well we dont need Dh selling stuff to DJ's for society to function but nonetheless work = effort = worthwhile)

FAQinglovely · 04/06/2009 12:35

"You can only claim for the interest on a mortgage throuh housing benefit, so they have to be paying some themselves."

no it's not done through housing benefit at all.

CTC and wtc which the OP mentions are 2 different things. You HAVE to be working to claim WTC - CTC replaced the child element of income support etc.

nametaken · 04/06/2009 12:54

YABU - they are not living on benefits, she is working and getting topped up with tax credits.

wastingmyeducation · 04/06/2009 13:13

If she's getting working tax credits then she's working.

So you're bothered that an unemployed man may be claiming JSA? Right.

You have no way of knowing what is really going on with their benefits.

unavailable · 04/06/2009 13:14

Cantouchthis - I really dont want to get into a pro/con benefits bunfight in the way your OP invites, but was shocked to read that you intend to report this family for benefit fraud when your confused posts show that you really dont know what their position is, and what benefits they claim.

All you really have is gossip/ rumour and a sense of injustice that they appear to have a more comfortable lifestyle than you expect them to.

Please think again. Acting in this way will do you no credit.

Unicornvomit · 04/06/2009 13:24

you have no idea if theyu are in arrears on their mortgage, if they are up to their eyes in credit card debt to buy htings, that he might have a long term illness etc

but because you think he is a bit lazy, you are going to report them?

nice

she runs a website and makes a bit of money and gets WTC like lots of families.. yet you say she is not working?

you sound jealous and motivated by spite

ILIVEONBENEFITS · 04/06/2009 14:04

i am currently living off benefits and have done since i left work voluntarily in 2003.I live in a comfortable home with all the latest gadgets. a new car is coming from the dealership next week just in time for us all to disappear off on holiday for a fortnight and whilst i am away i will have no worries about money, safe in the knowledge that my bills have all been paid via direct debit as they are every month.The assumption that people must be committing fraud to have a car and a mortgage and live off benefits at the same time just demonstrates the level of media led ignorance that surrounds the whole benefits issue.I have a car and a mortgage and i'm not committing fraud at all.

I did serve for 11 years in the armed forces and as far as i'm concerened tht guarantees me the right to choose benefits as a lifestyle choice.I have earned the right to live a very comfortable and care free life off the backs of all those people who didnt do their bit like i did. now i am reaping the rewards of all my hard work.some people work and some people don't and if you don't like that well tough because that's the law of the land we live in...you could always emigrate to another better country where they treat people equally..how about Russia or Iran?they're all treated the same there..............

well, i'm off to get a nice cool drink and relax in my pool..pip pip

Peachy · 04/06/2009 14:22

I am afraid that is the funniest post in ages ILIVEOFF! Hoping it was meant to be (never too good at picking up on these things......)

loads of people on benefits get new cars though, it's called motability.

onagar · 04/06/2009 14:35

This reporting people is all very well, but there should be a downside to doing it if you are not sure. So I think if you report someone and they turn out to be on the level you should have to pay their mortgage for a year or something.

As for the business of living well on benefits that was always a fantasy.

StayFrosty · 04/06/2009 14:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ihavenewsockson · 04/06/2009 14:42

why don't you give them a break?!

haven't you got anything better to do than witter on about your neighbours.

ihavenewsockson · 04/06/2009 14:43

jealous cos the wife gets to work from home perhaps?

if you have so much time on your hands maybe you could start up a business of your own.

pingping · 04/06/2009 15:47

OP YABU.

If the Man is on JSA and training to become a Gym instructor he is not commiting any kind benefit fraud if you speak to them they will tell you they encourage people that are out of work to do training because eventually the training will lead to a job.

Peachy · 04/06/2009 15:56

The other question I have is how youn would know if someone had tried to get a job or not?

If it were me looking i'd likely not tell anyone except DH 9then possibly not him until interview) as IME it's just easier, esp. during a recession when applying for positins is a bit like firing CV's into the ether.

independiente · 04/06/2009 16:30

Rant away by all means, but understand that it comes across as small-minded. Getting annoyed by a neighbour's working/spending habits is always a waste of time, because you can't control anything about it. (You only have some control if you are absolutely sure they are doing something illegal, and you are patently not that sure). So, just concentrate on your own life instead - at least you're in the driving seat there.

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