Its a wonderful life... Want to try.....?? A Single parents View.. !!xx!

j-baby-scotland

For pensioners there is a 'minimum income guarantee' which ain't that different given to an adult with child on benefits.

So, the poster earlier who was most emotive about pensioners foregoing heating as the benefits were going to others didn't know her facts.

krisskross

j-baby-scotland wrote:

For pensioners there is a 'minimum income guarantee' which ain't that different given to an adult with child on benefits.

So, the poster earlier who was most emotive about pensioners foregoing heating as the benefits were going to others didn't know her facts.

From my understanding the extra is means tested and has to be claimed. Various studies have shown that take up of means tested benefits is lower in the pensioner group. I know people aged over 60 who had no idea they could claim the Winter Fuel Allowance.

j-baby-scotland

That's probably true... & shouldn't be.

I can't find a figure for the 'minimum', with means testing, at the moment, but it's only about a tenner (don't quote me on that!) difference for an adult & child of a single-parent unit similarly means tested.

Shall try & find the exact figures... though doubt it'll be tonight... !

Sarahsaver

There is the pride factor. Mum still works even though she'd be better off not working, and she's 68 years old.

When I was a single mum I was better off on benefits, until I became self-employed, then I was better of that way, but no-one at the benefits office tells you that self-employment can do this for you (it's to do with the way tax credits work)


No-one can 'force' her to stop working!

Anyway I am glad I looked after my kids myself when they were little rather than only seeing them at breakfast and bedtime after days in nursery/childminders. Is there something wrong in that? They had no-one else here for them.

Surely it doesnt matter if a child is of a single parent, or in a stable 2 adult family unit, as long as they are well looked after and happy, and safe!

liney

Well for a pensioner couple its £140 and for a single pensioner it is £92. A single parent with one child paying £75 pw rent gets £155 region according to entitledto.com.

So the pensioners are worse off even if they claim the benefits and of course they are often ashamed of money problems so hide them from outsiders.

I did not say other people were getting the benefits instead. I said they were supported less, and from the figures I found, they are.

**purplemoon**

It's called Pension Credit now (introduced in Oct 2003). The credit for 2006/2007 will ensure a minimum income of £114.05 a week for a single pensioner and £174.05 for couples.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3197811.stm

http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/pensioncredit/

j-baby-scotland

Current rate for single parent with one child... £119.28 (inc. Child Benefit)

astonsmummy

my nan used to get about £90 a week maybe a little bit more or less, i used to get £100 a week roughly, we both didnt pay rent my nan never was cold, and if you was to see her stock of food u would think she was a corner shop!

krisskross

I think that pensioners are much better provided for than they used to be, but still think it is disgraceful that instead of paying a decent liveable on pension it is set at very low levels and the rest means tested.

There are still old folk around who remember the National Assistance Board and how shameful it was going cap in hand for a few shillings. Pride is often all that some pensioners have left and they WOULD rather go cold and hungry than fill in copious forms that they don't understand to get what they see as charity.

Becles

black-saturn wrote:

How come all the elderly people I know eat in pubs every day and go on those escorted holidays which cost £600 odd each? Maybe they sacrifice heat for that?

You buy cheap value food and do money saving things like measure cups of water out to save when boiling the kettle. You travel to London frequently and are going on an expensive holiday to Egypt later this year.

How would you like it if pensioners said "oooh look at her, she can afford to travel all over the place"?, making assumptions without knowing your circumstances.

Maybe they make savings at home in the same way that you have done, to pay for luxuries.