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?

Yes. I worked recently on a contract - I'm self employed- and I receive Housing Benefit but this was stopped because my childcare costs did not count as a 'cost' because they weren't provided by an Ofsted approved source. So I lost money by working. My income was calculated as higher than the reality and I became inelligible for the small amount of benefit on which I rely. I cannot afford alternative childcare.

So I am forced not to work,though I'd LOVE to.

I am not saying it is EASYfor anyone I wanted to discuss what the Government imagines happens when the minimum doesn't cover the reality.

Objectivity:

I don't doubt for a second that the majority of workers have more 'residual income' than people on benefits (and, by the way, benefits aren't supposed to support a luxury lifestyle)

But, in that straw poll of yours: Ask workers if they want to spend their residual income topping up people's benefits.

I think you will find NOT!

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And, you are not FORCED not to work.

YOu choose not to, because it affords you more residual income.

You COULD work.

But they are options. There are NO options if you cannot work for whatever reason.

Do any of you see that?

I agree with teh sentiments of this thread but i don't think it helpfull to advise people to give up their job and claim IS.

if someone did just give up a job they wouldn't be entitled to IS or JSA for starters. but more importantly it is perpetuating the myth that for the majority, claimign benefits is a lifestyle choice...which i am sure youknow it isn't Objectivity.

Oh and someone said that if its so hard on benefits go get a job - I have bene told by the Lone parent advisor that i would actually be WORSE off by returning to work.

I am freelance and so find the whole "pay rise" thing doubly hilarious. And I usually have to go into the garden and take lots of deep breaths when people start talking about their "bonuses".

I think there are many people who find themselves in the same position, when the minmum doesn't cover reality. That is life.

I'd like to know where you think your extra money should come from? Would it be from those people who work for less than the benefits you are on?

But you CAN work. You've just admitted it.

You choose not to, because this lame government gives you more money not to work. OK, that's not your fault but there is something pretty screwy with the system. And yet you are still moaning about it!

i dont see why people should get benefits if they CHOOSE NOT to work. that is so unfair. why dont i just hand you a third of my wages? its the same bloody thing

both dh and i work and we struggle

i work nights and weekends to avoid childcare costs

Annual review is normal for people in work too. If you are lucky. We keep getting the 'in the current economic climate' speech to prepare us for our lack of pay rise next year . We are not immune to inflation either.

But I see plenty of people have pointed that out....

Well, yes mamazon. I'm not exactly recommending choosing Income Support,but clearly one does what works best for them financially. Or, at least, I think on ought to. In response to any complaint about how they work for less money than State Benefit. Seems a little nonsensical if you are truly struggling.

I can understand that UnquietDad. Except that in DH's company bonuses are used as a way of keeping down the base salary. So they save on pensions cost and they can drop the bonus whenever they want and effectively give everyone a pay cut.

Nailpolish - I agree wholeheartedly with your point.

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I am holding back from ripping objectivity apart completely because I'm aware she had a tough time recently and admitted as such on here a few days ago. But it really isn't helpful to assume all working people have lots of "options" or can pop in to see the boss to ask for a rise at the drop of a hat. Some people work for the equivalent of benefits, or less, just because having a job is better than not.

I sympathise with the OP, actually. I know rising food and fuel costs are hurting everyone, but surely it's obviously that they will have most impact on the very poor? I can switch from Sainsbury's to LIDL but if you already shop and LIDL and are now struggling to find the bus fare, life is even harder...

God, my typing has really fallen apart there - am trying to do too many things at once!

I'm moaning about it but I woudl like to do something about it. I can't work,in reality, because Iam curently being evicted due to the sums of money that contract cost me.So, NO I can't actually work. Well,I coudl but I couldn't also feed the dc or keep a roof over their heads so Idon't think that woudl be a very REAL choice do you?

I think Objectivity is talking out of her backside, personally.

tough time or not, it doesn't make it everyone else's problem.

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there are plenty jobs out there that you could do

have you actually looked?

i thought 'job seekers allowance' was only paid to those actively seeking a job???????????