If food prices have risen by - what? 20% - and fuel is sky rocketing then tell me WHY...

[objectivity]

...are those dependent on state benefits still subsisting on the same paltry weekly allowance?

As a lone parent I have been in work and out of work from time to time, sometimes supported by Tax Credits, other times dependent upon Income Support. The money never really stretches far enough, but how on EARTH are we supposed to survive if everything is now costing more.

An annual review isn't good enough. My weekly costs are rising and rising, from week to week pretty much, so if my allocated benefit is the minimum I need to live on in April, and prices have risen since then, how am I supposed to be surviving in June?

Anyone else REALLY struggling- more than ever?

I don't think it is something that people who work are immune to.

Lot's of people get paid less than they would on benifits and they aren't all getting pay rises.

It is getting tighter for everyone.

my weekly costs are rising but my wages havent gone up

its the same for everyone - benefits or not

FFS. Is this a joke? I really hope so.

Presumably peopple who work are not only immune from higher fuel / food prices, they should also be bending over backwards to pay higher taxes!!

Get a bl**dy life.

yep.

i have just had to phone for a crisis loan

i hate having to rely on benefits and feel even worse when i mess up and can't manage. it feels as though im asking for yet another hand out.

So far in the past 3 months i have had to give up my car and take ublich transport and here i am not even being able to afford the bus to get Ds to school this week!

It is shite and utterly depressing.

I filled up my car yesterday, £105..... OMG.

because taxes have not yet risen to pay for them.

But you have the option of a pay rise/job change if you are able to work, and also you are reasonably likely to be earning a little more than the minimum required to live on or else you really ought to perhaps consider Income support,no?

Those stuck on benefit are completely at the mercy of an outdated system that is totally out of line with the real cost of living.

Of course I appreciate it is harder for everyone but if you are living on the deemed minimum then WHAT happens when that isn't enough? You possibly won't have a credit card or overdraught to see you through. I'm talking about people who are only just surviving here.

Perhaps, youcannotbeserious, I should do a straw poll of workers versus those on benefits and see just how much residual income there is between the two groups?

"you ahve the option of a pay rise"

pay rises are optional ffs

and neither is changing your job whenever you feel like it

i dont particularly enjoy my job but it fits round family life and childcare and pays the bills so i do it

arent optional

yes, perhaps you should, objectivity

Fio, I'm not saying it is simple, but surely thsoe are options that do not exist if all yur money comes from the State. Not as though you can try a different Government or ask JobCentre Plus for a bit more for all your hard work this month is it?

Like I say, if working is that financially onerous, then there is always IS where you can join the rest of those stifled by a poor system.

Just done my weekly shop in aldi- £41 for a trolley of stuff including beer, choc and ice cream! Tis the first time i've managed to do complete weekly shop at Aldi (used to shop at sainsburys)

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How anyone can afford to live atm is beyond me.

We are up shit creek without a paddle when it comes to money an having had our last energy bill made both me and dh want to go and live on the streets in a box.

if you cant survive on benefits, why not get a job. there are plenty of them

I do feel anyone who thinks working people have the "option of a pay rise/job change" are living in cloud-cuckoo land.

Not everyone who works has credit cards and over draughts.

And a lot of people who know they would get more money by claiming IS still work on principal.

Benefits are there for those that need them, not those that think they'll get more money that way.

or is living... gah

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"ask ... for a bit more for all your hard work this month"

my boss would find this attitude towards asking for a pay rise hilarious.

everyone is in the same boat - we get a pay rise based on last years performance - won't be getting another until next year
tough titties am afraid - i would be more than a little pissed off if people on benefits got more frequent reviews than working parents