Help? Are benefits being capped at 3 children?

bestpud

woodbine wrote: »

what if people already had 4 or even 5 or more kids when they were forced onto benefits through no fault of their own?
hardly fair or better then is it?

If people were unable to work through illness or disability then there is other benefits in place for that.

If people lose their job then they find another.

Benefits for two children will be enough to keep three or more on a temporary basis.

bestpud

raven83 wrote: »

Exactly what I said, but you know how it is, people in receipt of benefits should all be in the gutter, kids and all, according to benefit bashers.

They should be encouraged to get into work asap.

The current system is too generous by far as too many families are making them a career choice. What they need is a boot up the rear end and throwing cash at them won't do that.

kingfisherblue

When I had my three children, my (now ex) husband and I both worked. I reduced my hours to part time, but if there were any tax credits or something similar, we didn't know about them. We didn't even think to ask. We just cut our cloth accordingly. Neither of us were well paid - he was a delivery driver and I was a shop assistant. We didn't have much money, but we didn't have any debt either.

Then seven years ago, my ex left to start a new family elsewhere. One of my children has severe disabilities and I had already given up work to care for him (claiming DLA for my son and Carer's Allowance for me). I had no alternative but to rely on benefits for myself and three kids.

My daughter is now 21, and has worked since she was 18 - first for an agency and now in a retirement village on a permanant contract. I'm still on benefits, as my son's disabilities have increased and he still needs 24 hour care.

I can fully understand that benefits need to be capped, but there are families who can afford their children when they have them, but due to circumstances beyond their control, they have to rely on benefits at some point in their lives.

Aside from benefits, how does anybody with several children get a chance to spend any time with each child? I find it a challenge with my three, although I do manage most days because of different bedtimes. My daughter also helps by looking after one of the boys so that I can spend some time with the other. I catch up with my daughter either later at night when the lads are in bed, or when she is on a late shift and the boys are at school (we sometimes spend the morning together if neither of us has other plans - it might be over housework, but it's still a chance to chat).

antrobus

raven83 wrote: »

So what happens if you have 3 or more children and your OH gets made redundant? Do they deserve to have their benefits capped? And to be honest I don't think they will it for sometime, and obviously once labour get in at the next election I doubt it will come into play.

pickpocketlocket wrote: »

...I wouldn't take it as gospel that labour are going to be elected next time round ...

And I wouldn't take it as gospel that Labour even if elected, will necessarily do any different either.

pink_princess

bestpud wrote: »

They should be encouraged to get into work asap.

How do you suggest we do that?

gingergee

A woman my Dad is "friends" with has 9 children. Her eldest is a year younger than me, her youngest the same age as my youngest (2).
She has had another child every time one of her others got to an age where she couldnt claim anymore. These children were no accident btw.
I cant say anything really as i have 4 myself, but im fighting illness tooth and nail to get myself well enough to retrain and get back working - i enjoy it! But i didnt have mine purely to claim.
She is a shining example of why a cap is needed, they must have twigged when her new babies arrived surely?

*gem*

Come September I will be one of those people going to college to get basic qualifications and not being entitled to any benefits to support myself and will have to feed a family of 4 on CB and CTC. I also catch the bus to get my children to school daily which costs over £40 per week. That's my CB gone every week without thinking of food or bills! No help with travel is available to me either....I have checked. I have a choice to get qualified and have up to date usable references or sit on JSA until I find a job that nobody else beats me to which could take years!

It's not fair on people who already have more than 3 children to cap benefits at 3 but I think it should be considered for future/potential parents considering adding to their families. Capping at 3 wouldn't effect me personally. I wonder how many more kids would end up in the care system because their parents can't afford to feed/clothe them!

To carry on from what I said earlier. Terminations are not available to everybody! I know a person who was refused due to medical conditions and went on to have her child, I know another person who was raped and hid it through fear until her bump was spotted and was by then after the cut off date for terminations and another lady who had been sterilised, who put her symptoms down to stess and didn't find out she was pregnant till 7 months. I also have a friend who's family used to live in Ireland where they are illegal. Their choices to produce more children....I think not! Maybe I live in a rough area or some of the people here have led sheltered lives beacause it DOES happen and why should they be penalised for it!

[Deleted User]

bestpud wrote: »

If people were unable to work through illness or disability then there is other benefits in place for that.

If people lose their job then they find another.

Benefits for two children will be enough to keep three or more on a temporary basis.

with 100s applying for every half decent job they could have a long wait,the minimum the law says you need to live on is just that the minimum, and 3 into 2 wont go

raven83

bestpud wrote: »

They should be encouraged to get into work asap.

The current system is too generous by far as too many families are making them a career choice. What they need is a boot up the rear end and throwing cash at them won't do that.

What if there isn't any work though and they apply for hundreds and hundreds and still don't get nothing? Should they punished?

[Deleted User]

i think this thread should be locked as we are discussing policy now and not answering questions about benefits,or of course moved to DT where the regulars are mostly in favour of anyone on benefits being slung in the workhouse