Would I be better off reducing my working hours and claiming benefits??

sazzybum

DX2 wrote: »

Best leave them to live in cuckoo land then it's all about the pound signs. This election can't come soon enough!

Hi, nothing really helpful to add I'm afraid...but someone I work with's husband lost their job-along with the house that came with it. They got a privately rented house, and since they had 4 children, she found she was better off dropping down to 24 hours a week instead of full time-she ended up with HB, WTC CTC blah blah. At first I thought 'isn't that terrible' but then I had to be honest with myself. If I could get more money going part time (which I wouldn't, both sons grown up-maybe I should go and have another few while I'm still able) wouldn't I do the same? More money for less hours? Everyone be honest- wouldn't you do the same?

PayDay

sazzybum wrote: »

More money for less hours? Everyone be honest- wouldn't you do the same?

Not if it meant relying on some sort of benefit to live on. What happens when she can no longer claim for children as they leave home? Or when these very generous benefits that are now given - that the country can't afford- are reduced?

sazzybum

PayDay wrote: »

Not if it meant relying on some sort of benefit to live on. What happens when she can no longer claim for children as they leave home? Or when these very generous benefits that are now given - that the country can't afford- are reduced?

I take your point Payday. As I said -I couldn't anyway, and I would be thinking in the long term as well such as when they left home. I was really just pondering on the situation.

DaisyFlower

sazzybum wrote: »

More money for less hours? Everyone be honest- wouldn't you do the same?

No, would never cross my mind to work less and let tax payers pay the difference to keep me and my family. Benefits are supposed to be there to help the disabled and short term unemployed not as a lifestyle choice.

Tax credits could be withdrawn at any time so should not be counted on as long term. Our benefit system is in overload and cuts will need to be made.

The OP's employer may well value those that do overtime (the business obviously requires this if its always available) and should it have a downturn, who are they more likely to keep - the person who will do the bare minimum or someone who works more hours to assist the business.

Limana68

OP -I can undertstand if you NEED to reduce your hrs as you have to care for someone etc but I think its morally wrong to reduce your hrs to enable you to scrounge off the state!
I had to reduce my hrs recently to take care of my disabled mum and husband, but I still earn too much to claim anything, yes I could have given up my job and claimed everything etc but no, I have decided to stick with it as I still didnt NEED to, as we can manage okay.
Does your friend have more kids than you, thats why he has more tax credits etc?
Anyway do whatever you need to do.

Li

karenx

dktreesea wrote: »

Once you get WTC, you are entitled to free school meals if your children are in school. And also make sure you get an NHS exemption card. This means you can get things like free adult prescriptions and free dental care.

Only in certain places in scotland can you get free school meals if you get WTC and your income is UNDER 7k. This does not apply to the OP
And it does not automatically entitle you to an NHS card, if you are entitled then it gets sent to you. It depends on your income as to whether you get it or not. And I suspect on 13k it will be too high to get it


Where did you get all your info from??????????????????????????????????????

bestpud

karenx wrote: »

Only in certain places in scotland can you get free school meals if you get WTC and your income is UNDER 7k. This does not apply to the OP
And it does not automatically entitle you to an NHS card, if you are entitled then it gets sent to you. It depends on your income as to whether you get it or not. And I suspect on 13k it will be too high to get it


Where did you get all your info from??????????????????????????????????????

A bull's backside imo!

That said, the cut of for NHS exemption is around £16k so they would get that on his wage alone. It's not automatic though, as you say.

PayDay

OP, you would do better teaching your children the value of hard work, than reducing your hours to spend more time with them. You will then have your childrens admiration and gratitude as you will have given them a good lesson that gets them through life. Children of benefit claiments, tend to be the next generation of benefit claiments.

Caz3121

How things have changed. I am from the era where the only benefit was child benefit and if you needed/wanted more you worked more....not less!
Not that these people are doing anything wrong it is just that the ability is there so it can be done.... if you are given the entitlement then you claim.

I have stepchildren that believe that money comes free and have no ambition for careers as 'there is no point' 'ain't doing that it's boring'...it is really sad that they see their mates on benefits and aspire to join them. (they see their father and myself both working full time on good wages that have less than their mother who works PT to get every benefit going)

As has said there is going to be a huge shock for a lot of people when the benefits stop and they are responsible for supporting themselves (probably needing multiple jobs to sustain their lifestyle)

Oldernotwiser

Just to point out that the OP has only been talking about cutting his hours to full time which isn't at all the same thing as our two trolls have been advocating.

Nobody should have to work 50/70 hours per week to earn a decent wage.