Can't Survive on £26k a Year Benefit

[blueoveru]

It would'nt benefit me having kids too old

Was going tonight we were going to the I.O.W over the weekend to stay with old neighbour's in East Cowes but the mrs aint too grand would've loved, it not been to St Marys

[Master Fox]

Same here.

You going tonight?

No unfortunately not, I'll be watching on a stream tonight.

[Yojoe36]

It's a fvcking joke. 26K a year!!!! I know people who are actually working and HAVE kids, are earning less than 26k a year.

People are just having kids to get the benefit money.

Homosexuality should be encouraged

[Rincewind]

I never received 26k when working. 6-10k my limit. Now on £67 per week plus housing and council tax. If I did over 16 hours I may get tax credits but would some if not all my house/council benefit so is it worthwhile looking for work? I am over 60 not very mobile but not di bad enough to be classified as disabled. I cant lift heavy things and have no trade skills. I do not drive. Even if I do 3/4 hours I could lose my benefits. So I would be working for nothing. I am now looking to do 20-30 hours work with tax credits and get off the JSA so I am not harrassed when I sign on and thought of a leper because I get no replies when I send applications off or told that the employer has a deskful of CV's to go through.

I think the cap will be for families with children. The government has to blame somebody for the unemployment levels so who better than the lowest denominato of our society. ie the ordinary bloke .

[Babylon]

Two pond scum, have 5 pond scum babies.

Those 5 pond scum marry shag 5 other (probably more) pond scum and have 5 pond scum babies each.

Those 25 pond scum kids marry shag 5 other (probably more) pond scum and have 5 pond scum babies each.

Those 125 pond scum kids marry shag 5 other (probably more) pond scum and have 5 pond scum babies each.

You get the idea... the gene pool is doomed unless decent folk start having about 10 babies each.

[breadandcheese]

I never received 26k when working. 6-10k my limit. Now on £67 per week plus housing and council tax. If I did over 16 hours I may get tax credits but would some if not all my house/council benefit so is it worthwhile looking for work? I am over 60 not very mobile but not di bad enough to be classified as disabled. I cant lift heavy things and have no trade skills. I do not drive. Even if I do 3/4 hours I could lose my benefits. So I would be working for nothing. I am now looking to do 20-30 hours work with tax credits and get off the JSA so I am not harrassed when I sign on and thought of a leper because I get no replies when I send applications off or told that the employer has a deskful of CV's to go through.

I think the cap will be for families with children. The government has to blame somebody for the unemployment levels so who better than the lowest denominato of our society. ie the ordinary bloke .

I'm not going to pretend I know the intricacies of the benefits system, but how do you feel about someone getting three times what you are receiving?

The recent case of the Big Issue seller from Romania. This is a lady receiving every week £326 in tax credits, £60.50 in child benefits, £49.30 in disability living allowance and £55.50 in carer's allowance. This totalled £25,547.60. She has now won her case entitling her to an extra £50 per week for housing benefit (which would be more were she not selling the big issue).

It can't be right that she earns more than the average worker.

This is why I do not understand the problem with a cap on the amount of benefits people receive.

[Daggers]

Thinking about a 4th kid, no

Some people just don't have your will-power though.

[The Doctor]

Some people just don't have your will-power though.

Pah, need sexual relief and have 3 kids - have a tug.

Absolutely no chance of a 4th sprog there.

[Daggers]

Pah, need sexual relief and have 3 kids - have a tug.

Absolutely no chance of a 4th sprog there.

I believe Ultra always has a tug when thinking about a fourth child.

[Charl91]

can you see into the future?? should you not have them until you have enough in the bank for 16 years support??

circumstances change, illness, redundant, relation break ups, etc..

benefits are not just for ex jeremy kyle guests....

Obviously there are exceptions. But common sense should be used. If you've never had a job in your life, then you shouldn't be suprised that you don't have the means to support your 8 kids.

Being a parent might be a "right", but having other people pay to support them so you can have as many as you want shouldn't be. It's selfish on the child and on the people who pay for it.

[Daggers]

Of course, the biggest problem in society is people on benefits isn't it.

Nothing whatsoever to do with the £955bn we threw at banks.

Still, divide and conquer, eh?! Divide and conquer.

[Guest BlueBrett]

Controversial but why can't people on benefits in expensive areas be relocated to cheaper ones? I know they might say that is effectively ghettoising them but does that really matter? In fact wouldn't it make it easier to administer support and monitor eligibility as well as identifying the truly needy if they were all grouped together in the same place? I mean nobody NEEDS to live in central London - especially if they don't even work there!

[pSinatra]

Of course, the biggest problem in society is people on benefits isn't it.

Nothing whatsoever to do with the £955bn we threw at banks.

Still, divide and conquer, eh?! Divide and conquer.

You are right........not to mention all the money they throw at Afghanistan.

However, I've just seen a woman on BBC news saying that she thinks the cap is unfair, as she has no relatives or anyone to turn to in this country. There she was sitting in her nicely kitted out home, asking "why should I have to give up my good standard of living?". If you want to funk out a load of kids.........you may need to forfeit your 'good' standard of living for a more 'sensible' one. Don't mean to sound like Bernard Manning, as the country of her origin has little to do with her piss poor argument.

[Rincewind]

I'm not going to pretend I know the intricacies of the benefits system, but how do you feel about someone getting three times what you are receiving?

The recent case of the Big Issue seller from Romania. This is a lady receiving every week £326 in tax credits, £60.50 in child benefits, £49.30 in disability living allowance and £55.50 in carer's allowance. This totalled £25,547.60. She has now won her case entitling her to an extra £50 per week for housing benefit (which would be more were she not selling the big issue).

It can't be right that she earns more than the average worker.

This is why I do not understand the problem with a cap on the amount of benefits people receive.

I can see where some are coming from. I know somebody who gets disability, his mpthers pension, her blind/carers allowance and goes around pubbing every day. Goes Sheffield and Derby at least once a week and has between 6-10 pints a day. He has a pass for the bus and train too. He does have dodgy knees and when he was working he was a painting and decorater. He needs an operation but says he cannot have both legs done at once. He is signe on every 6 months to a year. I have heard that when he goes to the docs he takes his mothers walking stick. But saying all that he is in his fifties and I doubt he would find a job to suit him I don't feel bitterness or envy towards him. I would not want his lifestyle. His mother is in her 80's so if anything happens to her his income will drop dramatically.

I do think though there are many people not claiming what they are entitled to either because they do not know about it or because of being too proud. The people at the jobcentre or any government office do not offer it without you asking first and making your own enquiries. There are leaflets but very hard to work out and somewhat confusing. I am only just getting used to them. It takes a while to get to know the system and how to work it. The bloke I know has been out of work over 15 years. I only have 5 before I can retire and qualify for pension credits in 2013 so I will be happy to take it steady for a while. I have cut down on my spending and hopefully now living within my means which maybe a lot of people do not do if on benefits. The kids still get the Ipad and Iohones at Xmas and they still have Skysport and Skyfilm. Notr all but some.

[Jace]

I am a tax credits adviser for HMRC honestly it drives me mad witnessing the abuse out there to the benefits system and what some people try to get away with

[I am Rod Hull]

The first thing that crossed my mind when I read some of the replies was the reason for the cut backs - bankers.

Maybe only rich bankers should have 4 kids?

[breadandcheese]

I can see where some are coming from. I know somebody who gets disability, his mpthers pension, her blind/carers allowance and goes around pubbing every day. Goes Sheffield and Derby at least once a week and has between 6-10 pints a day. He has a pass for the bus and train too. He does have dodgy knees and when he was working he was a painting and decorater. He needs an operation but says he cannot have both legs done at once. He is signe on every 6 months to a year. I have heard that when he goes to the docs he takes his mothers walking stick. But saying all that he is in his fifties and I doubt he would find a job to suit him I don't feel bitterness or envy towards him. I would not want his lifestyle. His mother is in her 80's so if anything happens to her his income will drop dramatically.

I do think though there are many people not claiming what they are entitled to either because they do not know about it or because of being too proud. The people at the jobcentre or any government office do not offer it without you asking first and making your own enquiries. There are leaflets but very hard to work out and somewhat confusing. I am only just getting used to them. It takes a while to get to know the system and how to work it. The bloke I know has been out of work over 15 years. I only have 5 before I can retire and qualify for pension credits in 2013 so I will be happy to take it steady for a while. I have cut down on my spending and hopefully now living within my means which maybe a lot of people do not do if on benefits. The kids still get the Ipad and Iohones at Xmas and they still have Skysport and Skyfilm. Notr all but some.

In the case of this person who goes to the pub everyday, drinking 6-10 pints, travelling to Sheffield and Derby once a week, is it not legitimate of the government (on behalf of taxpayers) to ask is he receiving too much in benefits if he is drinking it away? After all, the money he receives is the result of someone else's labour. Admittedly, the perverse incentive probably exists in that if this guy doesn't drink his benefits away and instead tries to save some money, he'll no doubt receive less, which is ridiculous, as saving should be encouraged to reduce reliance and increase independence.

I guess I don't see what the problem is with having a cap on the limit of benefits somebody can receive. It just cannot be right for somebody to earn more on benefits than the average worker, clocking in daily.

Incidentally, i also think some of the universal benefits should be removed and replaced with means testing (such as winter fuel allowance, free bus pass and support the scrapping of child benefit for higher rate taxpayers)

[Guest BlueBrett]

The first thing that crossed my mind when I read some of the replies was the reason for the cut backs - bankers.

Maybe only rich bankers should have 4 kids?

That is so simple it's almost backwards!

You do realise the financial crisis hit in 2008? As in less than 4 years ago! How can you possibly attribute the inefficiencies and abuses of the benefits system to the admittedly terrible decisions made by a handful of bankers?! Completely unrelated.

Also the issue here is absolutely nothing to do with saving money. It is to do with fairness.

[Rincewind]

I am only asking for what I am entitled to whatever that is. I was told that because I was over 60 the hours when I could claim TC were lower. Phoned up and did a rough guess and told that I may get more if doing 30 hours than under. How does tha work?

The bloke I mentioned lives with his mother who I think also gets meals on wheels and from what I have seen he does not eat when out and only has a meal at night which is nothing expensive or elaborate. He goes bed 7-8pm and is out from 10am during the day. Not sure if he has any savings or not but no doubt it cant affect whatever he claims for. I just don't know how he manages it. Aprox £200 pw on booze and I would say a big chunk is his mothers entitlements so as I said he will have a shock if he loses her.

[turkish14]

The best thing the government have done so far...

My bro has had 4 offspring in 4 years, they live in a council house and the mother does not work and never has done! Do they want more children? you bet they do. With their hard earned tax payers cash they are taking their children euro disney this year, whilst me and my wife and our two children look on envious but also disgusted. Still were going Butlins in may, which is more than most hard working parents can afford.

[Captain...]

I'm not going to pretend I know the intricacies of the benefits system, but how do you feel about someone getting three times what you are receiving?

The recent case of the Big Issue seller from Romania. This is a lady receiving every week £326 in tax credits, £60.50 in child benefits, £49.30 in disability living allowance and £55.50 in carer's allowance. This totalled £25,547.60. She has now won her case entitling her to an extra £50 per week for housing benefit (which would be more were she not selling the big issue).

It can't be right that she earns more than the average worker.

This is why I do not understand the problem with a cap on the amount of benefits people receive.

I think the thing to focus on here is that she is disabled and needs a carer, she doesn't earn that amount of money, she needs that money to be able to pay for the disadvantages her disability brings, and needs to pay for the carer. I don't know how bad her disabilities are or how much it costs to live with a disability.

I don't really understand tax credits, but it sounds like you are getting tax back for when you have paid over the odds tax in the past, but I am not sure about that.

The other thing to look at is that she would be entitled to more money of she didn't sell the big issue, but she continues to try and do something.

Controversial but why can't people on benefits in expensive areas be relocated to cheaper ones? I know they might say that is effectively ghettoising them but does that really matter? In fact wouldn't it make it easier to administer support and monitor eligibility as well as identifying the truly needy if they were all grouped together in the same place? I mean nobody NEEDS to live in central London - especially if they don't even work there!

You are right........not to mention all the money they throw at Afghanistan.

However, I've just seen a woman on BBC news saying that she thinks the cap is unfair, as she has no relatives or anyone to turn to in this country. There she was sitting in her nicely kitted out home, asking "why should I have to give up my good standard of living?". If you want to funk out a load of kids.........you may need to forfeit your 'good' standard of living for a more 'sensible' one. Don't mean to sound like Bernard Manning, as the country of her origin has little to do with her piss poor argument.

That is a very short sighted view to the problem, moving house is a huge amount of disruption especially if you have kids, and you have based your house and home on what you were entitled to receive.

It also depends if the situation is temporary or permanent, if it is someone who has lost their job due to the crisis but will most likely find work when the economy picks up, or if they own the house and are struggling to repay the mortgage, then forcing them to move house will end up costing them a hell of a lot more than helping them with the mortgage in the short run.

Unless you know the intricacies of benefit law and each case that receive over 26k in benefits it is very narrow minded to just blame it all on chavs popping out kids.

[Jace]

I am only asking for what I am entitled to whatever that is. I was told that because I was over 60 the hours when I could claim TC were lower. Phoned up and did a rough guess and told that I may get more if doing 30 hours than under. How does tha work?

Its called the 30 hour element, encourages people to work more hours and go full time and not just stay part time so they can receive full government benefits whilst earning from a job aswell

[breadandcheese]

I am only asking for what I am entitled to whatever that is. I was told that because I was over 60 the hours when I could claim TC were lower. Phoned up and did a rough guess and told that I may get more if doing 30 hours than under. How does tha work?

I guess the central point is entitlement. A sense of entitlement has been created which needs to be reined back. Plenty of over sixty year olds who do not need the winter fuel allowance, claim it because they are "entitled" to it. Kenneth Clarke the Justice Minister does as he says it's in law and so he is entitled to it, which is clearly ridiculous.

The question of who is entitled to what and on what basis, needs to be addressed and decided upon as a society.

[I am Rod Hull]

That is so simple it's almost backwards!

You do realise the financial crisis hit in 2008? As in less than 4 years ago! How can you possibly attribute the inefficiencies and abuses of the benefits system to the admittedly terrible decisions made by a handful of bankers?! Completely unrelated.

Also the issue hear is absolutely nothing to do with saving money. It is to do with fairness.

My reply was aimed at certain posts that said only the well off should be allowed to have 4 kids...

I was 1 of 5 brothers, my dad used to work nights down the pit, come home, have a couple of hours kip and then do 6 hours on a coal round. (I`m sure he got more sleep down the pit than at home)

All people are not the same and to say we should`nt be allowed to have over 3 kids unless you earn a certain amount of money is a right load of bollox.

[Jace]

The best thing the government have done so far...

My bro has had 4 offspring in 4 years, they live in a council house and the mother does not work and never has done! Do they want more children? you bet they do. With their hard earned tax payers cash they are taking their children euro disney this year, whilst me and my wife and our two children look on envious but also disgusted. Still were going Butlins in may, which is more than most hard working parents can afford.

Went round my mates house to watch the Man Utd Arsenal game because he has a 50 inch new LED 3D Samsung TV was well decent especially when you neither him or his mrs work!