If you live on benefits do you save each month? And if so, how much?

[namechange987]

Just that basically.

What paper is it for?

Hahahahahaa

Not currently on benefits but was previously in income support with 2 children under 7.

I managed to save £20 a month.

In my case we were actually better off on IS when I became a single parent and had to give up my job due to unsuitable hours as we had previously been a low-income working couple.

Obviously I'm missing something, but I have just started claiming WTC and CTC after a separation from my husband and ironically I find myself more able to save now than I did when we were together. I actually called them last week as I thought they were paying me too much. So I'm able to put some money in to savings for the DCs, I just wondered if everyone else on benefits was doing the same and how much "additional" they were receiving.

the breif time we were on benefits for, around £40 a month. 100% ore than when I was working.

Not an exact figure. I'm not trying to assess the benefit system, I'm just surprised by how much I'm entitled to receive and so I'm putting it in to savings for the DCs.

Perhaps a good idea to save for when you get moved to Universal credit then as most people on that seem to be sinking / being evicted/ visiting food banks.

how much "additional" they were receiving.

Additional to what?

Do you mean like they get their benefits and then an extra tenner on too because the lone parent adviser put a good word in for them?

"Additional" to what is required to live, after food, bills, rent/mortgage.

I didn't mean for it to be a contentious subject. I just find that I am left with surplus so I wondered if others are too.

I try to manage £2 a week.

Of course it's contentious. You're asking people to provide daily mail wank fodder.

Donate your "surplus " to the food bank then.

Was your ex very financially abusive and you have grown used to living very cheaply.
I was the same. When I left ex I felt like I had loads because I had nothing with him.

i think its going be different for most people tbh, you might be in a good position to start with ie low mortgage/rent, no debts etc. somebody that for example has to leave an abusive relationship with nothing would probably use pay day loans to buy essentials, might have to pay a large rent deposit, so they are starting in debt which is very hard to get out of.
your post leaves me with a bit of a bad taste in my mouth, because it comes across a bit braggy about the fact you're managing very well, with enough surplus to save. a lot of people now have to use food banks just to be able to feed their children, i would imagine that they would just lìke enough to live on.

Financially abusive ex- yes! When he left and I got £90 per week income support, I thought I was rich. He had earned more but drank and generally wasted all of it. I never saw a penny. Had it not been for the little bit of working tax credits and housing benefit, there would have been no money for food or rent. Thankfully utilities were cheaper back then.

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I was bragging at all. I'm just surprised. I am living with my parents following the breakdown of my marriage so, although I'm paying them it is lower than rent or mortgage would be so I think that could be why I have extra left over to save.

My ex wasn't financially abusive as such, but he earned more than me and we were struggling and I was constantly having to use savings to be able to pay for everything. He was also crap with money, so it made it really difficult to manage joint finances because he wouldn't stick to a budget.

So if you are living with your parents you don’t have to pay full rent, full gas / elec or for tv licence, insurance etc?

if you're living with your parents i dont really understand why you're surprised youve got money left over, its obvious you wont have the same outlay as someone renting their own home, with all the additional bills that come with that.

About 10 yrs ago when I only had DS1 and I was a lone parent working 16hrs per week I managed to save £350 a month when DS became entitled to DLA. I put the whole DLA award in his savings account and I used to save the extra tax credit element for rainy days.

See how rich you feel when you have to pay all of your bills and a huge rent top up out of the same money.

Was your ex very financially abusive and you have grown used to living very cheaply.
I was the same. When I left ex I felt like I had loads because I had nothing with him.

Exactly this! My ExH was financially abusive. No money for kids shoes but plenty for his fags and booze! He was EA too and things were starting to get physical when I left. Myself and the kids were in social housing for a bit, on benefits with me working pt. was so used to having nothing I felt loaded! I’d never been in the position of having money left at the end of the week/month. (Own my own home now, Work more, no benefits).

Although I'm living with my parents, the amount I am paying them each month is probably the same amount I'll be paying as a rent top up and for bills. Plus at the moment I'm not receiving any child maintenance so once that's in place that will cover some of those costs as well.

I'm not saying I feel rich. I think perhaps it's because we were "poorer" when we were together but due to his recklessness with money as opposed to the income being lower. Because of that I'm used to living to a tight budget.

Yes, WatchingFromTheWings! It's that exactly. I think the fact that I'm now able to financially manage everything it also makes me feel more in control and there are no nasty surprises when I look at the bank statement anymore. It's not necessarily about what actual money is left, it's about being able to predict it.

I did a similar thing to wibblywobblyfish. X probably had some spectrum disorder himself, surprise surprise, children do too . I had to leave him, lived with parents. Saved off their backs really. Some more fortunate people (marriages intact, employed, qualified) who lack empathy get irate at that but in a few years I got in to a position where I could get off benefits. I work now. Wouldn't even qualify for FIS now. Good luck to anybody with small DC, recently single, or children with sn who are on benefits right now. It's no picnic.
Even when I was saving a lot I felt very worthless. Savings, and knowing I had a plan really helped. I'm a social welfare success story. I am a LP without a degree who got off benefits when her youngest was 8 and now I pay taxes. That is a social welfare success story in their eyes so anybody who condemns me can take a hike. I know I was lucky to be able to do that though, only thanks to living with family.