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?

We can't afford to work either. Can't afford (decent) housing with the third bedroom we need for the 3 kids we chose to have. I'm not sure i'm going with this exactly, but i am sure that i don't expect other people, who will be struggling themselves whilst working, as prices rise, to pay out increasing amounts of cash for my family. We will cut the crap out of our diets, need be. Possibly have our internet cut off, or bare minimum credit on our phones (already don't have landline or car). Not many other ways we can save, but i'm sure we'll think of something if we have to - surely not everyone is lucky enough to get raises even if they are working?

youcannotbesrious, how is that?

Doesn't help when your next Mat contract has a change of heart.

edam I completely agree with you, but it applies to everyone on the breadline - not kust those on benefits for whatever reason

just

Objectivity:

I also worked contract. My contract was cancelled as soon as I told my employer I was pregnant. I worked up until the day before my son was born.

I am currently on maternity allowance, which is WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY below what I used to earn. I have had to learn to live on that, and be grateful that I am entitled to anything.

I will get a job when my MA ends.

I know just what you are talking about - I have REALLY had my eyes opened about how difficult it is to get a job when you have family comittments. I don't disagree with you on ANY of that.

I just don't think it's worth moaning about nor do I expect someone else to pay more tax to provide me with more income.

Anyhow, I posted because the struggle gets to me. I try so hard and still struggle. I hate how nothing works for pretty much anybody. I wasn't up for an argument workers versus non workers. I'm just speaking personally because I am on benefits and there is no work that I can curently do that will pay my living costs.

I look every week. I scour the papers, go online. Consider moving for jobs. Spend hours on applications.

That's it. Life is so shit for me right now and Ifeel so sorry for anyone else in the same boat.

It goes without saying that rising prices will affect people on low incomes most.

See, now that's the real issue - no one is going to take you to task about that.

Yes, it's tough when, despite all your efforts, life is grim - working, not working, benefits, no benefits.

Am I completely out of touch to think if you're struggling for cash it's a bit much posting so on a PC with broadband, is that too harsh? Those that complain of having no money still drink, smoke, have sky, a car, holidays, broadband??? Are these things people claiming welfare should really afford? If you can afford a lifestyle that provides this on benefits you get too much. My grandmother, widowed with four children had no washing machine, worked full time, holes on shoes, no carpets and this she considered was her lot until she could afford better. Luxuries have turned to necessity and everyone who works whether they earn £12k or £200k pays for it.
Find me on another day when I have more sympathy.
The cheek of people posting 'I cannot afford to work' really pisses me off, what about I don't have enough pride to pay for myself. Everyone could find £4000 tax free work a year surely.

youcannotbeserious,you were aggressive in response to me. I didn't make this a workers/non workers issue. I don't know who did.too sad to look back and see how this thread took the direction it did, but you did post about tax payers paying for it...or something.

I don't claim to have agood argument against the issues this threadhas raised.i realise this is a problem for many.

I don't talk out my arse ok
ffs

i agree with posie

those on benefits spending £5+ on fags every day. watching their sky telly then going down the pub

im not saying EVERYONE on benefits does that. but i see people who do do that all the time

was speaking to someone at work - interviewing them for something - i asked "do you work?" he said "yes i have to - i smoke 40 a day"

UNbelievable!

jesus christ can i not raise the issue of how life has just got so much harder for me,to get some support,maybe consider some ways forward without being picked on for having a computer and internet access??

how do you know i'mnot in the library or that i didn't pay for this computer before i lost a huge chunk of my income after separation.How do you know whetehr it makes more sense to pay for a computer because of the work i can sometimes generate for myselfby having it?

I need to work to pay the bills. It's getting to the point where I can't afford to work because of travelling costs and everything else going up. But I can't afford to give up. There's a quandary for you!!

I suppose I'm lucky to have a job but it has been a bit of a stone around my neck. We have needed the money I earn to get by, wouldn't be entitled to any benefits if I gave up work, can't afford any more children due to childcare costs, but increasingly can't afford the petrol and childcare costs, wouldn't be able to pay the mortgage without the contibution of my earnings. Round and round we go....

I sympathise with your struggle objectivity, but we are all feeling the pinch equally tbh.

a computer is the best way of looking fora job, to be fair

I'm assuming that they consider tht when they consider having children? I just don't get people throwing themselves into benefits assuming other people will pay for them and their children. If we couldn't afford to pay for our offspring we would have had less, I do think parents should have the right to stay at home but not on benefits. Fair enough losing your job etc, but to give up for the state to support you, argghhh

TigerFeet,your 'quandary' illustrates exactly the crux of my dismay.

posieparker that is out of order. TBH I find a lot of your posts are out of order.

If a person has found themselves unexpectedly single how on earth are they supposed to afford childcare which they did not previously need? Think about it love.

id love another baby

but i dont want to struggle even more money-wise

My DH asked for a pay-rise, was laughed out of the office.
He then asked for a petrol allowance as he does a 40 mile round-trip every day. Laughed out of the office again.
Do you think it can be demanded from an employer?
Get real.
DH is the only provider for our family and we are finding it as hard as anybody.
You have to cut back on things and sit it out like the rest of us.
I never thought I'd degrade myself by buying the value range at the supermarket, but now I have to. It's shit, but it's real life. Get with the programme.

Objectivity...... I was going to post this earlier but it's not aimed at you.

My broadband is paid for because i budget like mad. i actually get my connection free because i get the tv package (which my son uses - he is Autistic and is something he is pretty stresy about)

I can't find work atthe moment because i am in temporary accomodation and my rent is ridiculous because it is considered shletered.
my son's Sn means that i am called to teh school 2/3 times a week. DD has just been offered a place at a local playschool but it is only for 10 hours a week.

i would need to find a job that paid enough to cover my rent, would allow me to leave work 2/3 times a week at the drop of a hat, would pay enough to pay for a childminder for DD when she isn't at playschool.

Sadly despite having a professional qulaification i would be worse off if i returned to work.

now seeing as i am already struggling to get by i am not really jumping with joy at placing my children into childcare in order to be WORSE off.

This thread shouldn't just be about those on benefit's at all. indeed it should be for all those who are struggling.
no one has asked for a cure all answer, i understood this thread to be a bit of a sounding board for those who are finding it hard to let off some steam.

I never thought I'd degrade myself by buying the value range at the supermarket, but now I have to. It's shit, but it's real life. Get with the programme.

I can't afford even that actually. Ha! I was gently mocked for for being in Asda only this weekend. Chavsda,I recall from another thread.