If the PM DID means test child benefit could you manage without it?

Fang_3

msb5262 wrote: »

I don't know if I'd get CB if it was means-tested.
I currently receive child tax credits and would have been in real trouble if that wasn't the case.
Child benefit would be much missed - I use it for food, bills, kids' train passes for school, uniform, trips...all those tiny extras.

It may be very unpopular to say this, but I don't feel that people who put their child benefit into savings for the children are necessarily "in need" of it.

I know several families who have never "used" their CB on the children's care or upbringing, and every penny has gone into savings - so those children will have a nice nest-egg to start them off when they reach adulthood.

They are children whose families are well off in the first place, and who have never gone short of anything - it doesn't seem wildly fair to give them an extra boost at the expense of the government!

I wish I'd been in a position to give my children everything they need without child benefit but as it is, CB and child tax credits have really saved our bacon.

MsB

Those families you speak of are the ones that are paying for your children.

Running_Horse

Most could survive without it. There are always other economies that can be made. But as someone who has always worked and paid into the system I would feel a little aggrieved at losing one of the few perks we get.

Funnily I don't mind losing tax credits, as it's a stupid and intrusive system that makes me feel like a benefits claimant.

bylromarha

gravitytolls wrote: »

Well, if we didn't have it, we'd have to manage wouldn't we?

I agree.

As a society we have become far too confused as to wants and needs. You cut your cloth and all that.

MERFE

running horse I agree I'd much rather ditch the tax credits. I get different amounts every year, can not rely on it so basically have to budget without it and then whatever we do end up getting in tax credits can be used for extras, currently £24 per month.

Child benefit being a set amount means it is much easier to budget with if you are trying to live within your means.

Its frustrating to know that they way this country works we would be better off not living together as a couple, when money is tight it is an extra strain you don't really need. David cameron was just all talk when he said he would support married couples. So far I think we would be even better off living apart, good thing we are not after every benefit we could possible get and would rather be together.

brians_daughter

[QUOTE=msb5262;35826585
It may be very unpopular to say this, but I don't feel that people who put their child benefit into savings for the children are necessarily "in need" of it.


They are children whose families are well off in the first place, and who have never gone short of anything - it doesn't seem wildly fair to give them an extra boost at the expense of the government!

MsB[/QUOTE]

I put my childs cb in savings but i can assure you we arent well off and our children have gone short of things. We are on a strict budget - to the £ on most months.

Its all a matter of priority - obviously if a family need it go get through the month and even after a strict budget cant make ends meet then it will impact their finances then it should be addressed.

Because we choose to use this money to build a nest egg for uni/1st house whatever for our children doesnt mean we are loaded. We are on a shoipping budget of £300 pcm to feed 3 children and 2 adults and we dont go out much - once a month as a family to a 2-4-1 meal and me and oh go to the pics the 1st wed of every month on orange 2-4-1 wednesdays.

If we didnt save the cb and used it towards household income then we would be in a much better position. We are also entitled to tax credits but we do not claim those as we choose to cut our cloth to fit... we do this by buying stuff from ebay instead of new, look for the best deals we can afford etc we worked out last year if we used the cb and if we claimed tc we would be able to afford a family holiday with what we would be entitled to...but we choose not to. I am sure that there are 10000's of families out there that claim tc and get 2 weeks in the sun, but to us that just isnt right so we dont claim. Anyway, back to my original point to say that ppl who choose to save the cb for the kids must be well off isnt always the case

Morgan_Ree

I guess from a very black and white point of view you could say those who save it shouldn't be claiming it. But then I could also say those who rely on it could be setting themselves up for a fall by relying on a benefit that might not always be there.

For me I don't include CB or TC in my monthly budget. If I did include them and they were suddenly stopped I think I'd really struggle to adjust. My bills are paid from my bursary and wages. Anything left over is just a bonus.
That's why I'm in a position to put my CB in savings for DS. I'm not going to miss something I've never included in my budget

mummyroysof3

so what are they proposing the cut off point for getting it, if means tested will be?

julie2710

Fang wrote: »

Those families you speak of are the ones that are paying for your children.

Really? So the fact that she is receiving CTC doesn't indicate that she is working and paying into the same system to support those children whose parents chose to do nothing then?

Just because you claim WFTC or CTC does not mean you are a scrounger or you are taking from people working to support your kids! I have worked all my life. Paid tax since I was 16 (at the higher rate some of the time)and never ever ever intended to be a single parent. I have a good job, earn a good salary but unfortunately have been left in the carp by a selfish, idiot of a husband who thought the grass was greener and now can't be bothered to support his children. So what do I do? Give up my full time job and let other people bring up my children, house me and pay for our holidays or continue to work fulltime, pay for my children's upbringing but due to the ludicrous cost of childcare in this country claim back a bit of money to help me help myself?

MERFE - the only way you would be better of living seperately is if you didn't work and claimed benefits whilst still being a couple - ie fraud! or if one of you worked and the other claimed benefits whilst still remaining a couple - ie fraud again!!!! Believe me you are not better of as a working single parent, the system basically works against anyone with a bit of a moral backbone and honesty I'm afraid!

Ok rant over!:o

brians_daughter

mummyroysof3 wrote: »

so what are they proposing the cut off point for getting it, if means tested will be?

They arent. I started the thread as the deputy PM was on the news yesterday and when he was asked about means testing CB he would neither confirm or deny that it was being spoken about, so IMO if he wont deny it it usually means it is in the pipeline.

It would make sense IMO opinion to tie it in with TC cut offs...maybe they could work hand in hand in order to ensure its cost effective etc. To me it makes no sense in stopping the payments if it is going to take multi millions to police it.... the saving will be eaten up by the administration.

*Chattie*

jamespir wrote: »

it is releveant to me i could claim it if i wanted too but i dont

I take it the CB goes to the grandparents with whom your son lives through the week.

I saved the CB in a ten year plan once my child was 5 and I no longer need to rely on it.