Finally coming off benefits!

[MaybesDontCount]

I've been a member for a few years but never posted, I've enjoyed reading posts as I'm shy and quite reserved. I can't tell family or friends yet but I need to tell someone! After over 8 years on benefits, my DH has gone and got a job. It took him a week to find one and be offered the position, which is good.

We've lived comfortably on benefits, not a life of luxury because we have 3 DC, but comfortably enough that we've not wanted to come off them. But we've decided because our DC are older and asking to go on holidays, we want to learn to drive and get a car and we can't stand being on benefits and singing on anymore that it's time to work :0)

Obviously I expected some unhappy replies, I've been a member long enough. No we haven't been on JSA and him lying about job searching for 8 years, we were on IS after the children, and also IS while we both studied at college. We've been on JSA for around 9 months now. He was doing everything that was required of him, it's all online now and it's automatically saved on your universal job match thing what you've been doing and how long you've been searching for so it's not like he can scribble it in a book like it was a few years a go, he was doing what was required of him.

I think the reason he got the job so easily is because when he decided that living like we were wasn't good enough he went out and bought a suit, and spent every day and afternoon walking around handing CV's out. The job he has got he rang them, went in and handed his CV in and also applied online. The interviewer said he can see my husband wants this job because of the effort he put in to applying for it.

Don't think we live like these people you read about or see on the tv, everything we have has been given to us or bought second hand. We have a 19" big backed TV that my dad gave us years ago, an old digi box and I've had the same shoes for over 2 years. But we've managed, and with my health complications and my middle child's it's been hard. My back is a lot better after intense physio therapy, I no longer need hubby to help me to the toilet or to dress me, I can manage on my own with aids so that's another reason he's gone for work.

Can't remember who posted but I'll look in to DLA and PIP, thank you for your help.

When you get comfortable with something, it's hard to change it. Then add in the fact that I couldn't do anything for myself it just seemed like there was no point in trying to go back to work. He has done a lot of college courses and courses through the JC, so it's not like he was constantly sat on his arse, day in day out. He now has a job in a casino, which has career opportunities.

Tbh, I'm disgusted it's taken this long for us to come off benefits, but while sat there it didn't seem like that long. When I realised it had been so long I was rather shocked. Anyway, like I said before, better late than never!

Don't need to apologise , I am a carer for my disabled child and have arthritis so we have that in common.

The "when he decided" thing is annoying. Surely he has been asked to demonstrate his search for work for the last 8 years?

I sympathize fully SoonToBeSix, it's awful isn't it? I've now got splints for my joints for a flare up. The doctor only gave me those Tubi Grips I think they're called, so I went on eBay and got the proper ones with removable metal rods for £2 each, they've been a total God send, especially with my physio for my back being so intense. Hope your DC and you are well.

PortofinoRevisited, I can see why that is annoying, I don't think I worded it well. Before I post in future I'm going to think about how I word it, maybe re-read it before I click start conversation! It's not that he decided 'oh, I'm going to get off my butt and get a job now' it was more that my physio has helped tremendously, which means I don't need him helping me to the loo or to dress or eat and I feel capable of looking after DC on my own. He HAS done his job search as required, but we've only been on JSA for 9 months so it's not been for 8 years, I should of made that clear in my OP.

He really, really applied himself and tried his hardest this past week to get a job, and he succeeded. I'm very proud of him for managing to sort a job so fast, and I'm proud that we've broken the cycle we seemed to of gotten ourselves in. My parents have been on benefits for years, with work here and there, his dad has been on benefits for as long as he can remember and all his siblings are on them too. We do NOT want our children to grow up and think it's perfectly acceptable to be on benefits, and I want to feel the pride of paying our way and being able to support the children we created. As I stated before, I'm really disgusted in myself for allowing us to go down that path. It's a hard thing to break but we have, and there is no way we're going back now. I've never seen my DH so happy before, he's overjoyed at the thought of providing for us and being able to give us everything he can.

Congratulations about coming off benefits. I don't agree with staying on them cause you had enough to live off but you've done the right thing now. Also with your health problems and dh having to help you a lot I can see why you stayed as you were. Your children will now not be in the benefits trap and will see how much better it is to work.

it was income based and apparently (according to our JC adviser) that isn't from tax payers.

does it come from the magic money tree? With respect that does show a complete indifference as to where the money that you have been living on for the last 8 years comes from. If not from the taxpayer then where?

Congratulations to your husband, but if it only took him a week to find a job, what the hell has he been doing for the last 8 years?!