Appealing the Bedroom Tax

Wicked_witch

[QUOTE=nannytone;60087079]

just getting fed up with the same old circular argument.

the people that are in 100% agreement with the reforms will only ever change their mind when something happens that negatively affects them or those that they care about.

until then they will be quite happy because the amount of suffering and harship that some people will be sealimg with is incomprehensible to them.

they are all in a position where the necessities of life can be afforded.

[/QUOTE]

This :T

Also, this 'I think it is very naive to think that if a government embarks on a policy of discrimination that it is the fault of the person being discriminated against if they appeal against that.' from mysterywoman, except I'd amend very naive to 'a position of wilful ignorance'. :mad:

KxMx

ab.da54 wrote: »

Give me an honest answer - how much do you receive each week?

Two kids, it's about £150 with tax credits and child benefit
Two adults on Joint JSA is what? £110

So over £250 a week free money and you can't pay approx £10 on rent? Sure it will be tight but add in housing costs and you're getting a fair whack off the government in all fairness.

If figures are wrong, give me your figures and someone can check if you're getting the right amount for your circumstances.

Good luck with the job hunting by the way. It's not easy being out of work.

People on benefits are subject to the same price rises as the workers; food, utilities etc etc. They also have children who grow out of shoes and clothes regularly- hand me downs can't always stretch as far as needed.

It's not as though the £250 you estimate is left over every month after essentials for people to spend on what they like!

ab.da54

mysterywoman10 wrote: »

Isn't the point though why should they pay when the neighbor gets the same amount, in the same situation? Same size house just laid out differently? Two children both of different sexes under 10?

I bring you back to my point from day 1 an overall cut across the board would have been fairer, simpler, cost effective end of and save a lot more money £5 each think about it and do the sums.

Because the reality is a huge amount of the people afffected either need the extra room or they will do in a couple of years time anway. The only ones who are probably discounted from that are single people in two bedroomed accommodation, so build more one beds and then offer moves once they are built. In the meantime save money and less administration.

I absolutely agree with you that it should have been fair across the board. Absolutely.

The family who are paying for three beds, why not refuse the three bed and say they only want a two bed like their neighbour?

Why was a three bed ok when they were not paying for it, but it's no longer ok now?

It should have been fair. It should have been a fair amount across the board but, right now, it isn't. Families who receive a fair whack need to actually realise how lucky they are rather than complaining that they don't have enough. I don't think I've ever seen a family poster accept that they get a fair whack. Why is that?

Paying a small amount for having a roof over the heads of children, why is such an anathema?

306chris

ab.da54 wrote: »

Give me an honest answer - how much do you receive each week?

Two kids, it's about £150 with tax credits and child benefit
Two adults on Joint JSA is what? £110

So over £250 a week free money and you can't pay approx £10 on rent? Sure it will be tight but add in housing costs and you're getting a fair whack off the government in all fairness.

If figures are wrong, give me your figures and someone can check if you're getting the right amount for your circumstances.

Good luck with the job hunting by the way. It's not easy being out of work.

Never said I can't pay. I can budget very well and plan ahead the best I can. I'm better than average on spreadsheets and use them to tell me to the penny how much I will have. Without blowing my own trumpet, I have a sharp mind and with being out of work it gives me more time to sort this sort of stuff out. There are many out there who dont have the same skills that I have and they will find it hard.

The figures are correct when I said it would be like taking 10% i was including the CTS system which is different for each area again making it a bit like a post code lottery.

Now I know it may seem a lot but while I was working I have debts just like everyone else on here does. Do you think that they care about a reduction in income, although in all fairness I have tried to get as many down as possible. The only two I can't get rid of are Sky and my mobile. Sky because I am in a contract and my mobile which is high for what I use now (have reduced tariff now) but I used to use my phone for work and I'm still stuck in contract untill nex year.

ab.da54

KxMx wrote: »

People on benefits are subject to the same price rises as the workers; food, utilities etc etc. They also have children who grow out of shoes and clothes regularly- hand me downs can't always stretch as far as needed.

It's not as though the £250 you estimate is left over every month after essentials for people to spend on what they like!

No, but £250+ per week is not all spent on essentials unless people are not budgeting correctly.

Yes, children grow out of shoes and clothes and maybe hand me downs don't stretch but there are charity shops and children do not need clothes weekly.

306chris

bloolagoon wrote: »

That does seem rather a strange situation. Are your neighbours owners or tenants? Many have to pay towards their rent in private rental from the minimum.

Neighbours rent from the same HA.

ab.da54

306chris wrote: »

Never said I can't pay. I can budget very well and plan ahead the best I can. I'm better than average on spreadsheets and use them to tell me to the penny how much I will have. Without blowing my own trumpet, I have a sharp mind and with being out of work it gives me more time to sort this sort of stuff out. There are many out there who dont have the same skills that I have and they will find it hard.

The figures are correct when I said it would be like taking 10% i was including the CTS system which is different for each area again making it a bit like a post code lottery.

Now I know it may seem a lot but while I was working I have debts just like everyone else on here does. Do you think that they care about a reduction in income, although in all fairness I have tried to get as many down as possible. The only two I can't get rid of are Sky and my mobile. Sky because I am in a contract and my mobile which is high for what I use now (have reduced tariff now) but I used to use my phone for work and I'm still stuck in contract untill nex year.

I do agree that debt plays a part. Are you able to offer token payments until you find work?

What would happen if you stopped paying sky and your phone? They would cancel the subscriptions and then you could offer nominal payments until you are back on your feet. I don't know how it works as I avoid debt myself but hopefully you will get some advice on the debt free boards. If it was me though, I would tell them to cancel and cancel the direct debits as the children would be the focus of my importance.

It's not easy, especially where there is debt involved and I genuinely hope you find a job soon.

It has to be said though, if you can manage, and you are in debt, why are other families shouting out that they cannot cope? How much debt have people allowed themselves to get into? Housing priority over debt, though.

306chris

ab.da54 wrote: »

I don't think I've ever seen a family poster accept that they get a fair whack. Why is that?

Ok - I GET A FAIR AMOUNT TO LIVE ON. if you acknowledge it isnt a luxurious lifestyle.

Yes we can cope and I've paid into the system for 16 years. But why should I be getting less now than my neighbour when we both live in the same size house and have the same number of children. I hate to say it but it simply isn't fair.

mysterywoman10

I agree which is why this cut will not solve the housing problem that I know you really care about.

It's the child tax credits that need addressing not housing benefit although different departments, targets budget cuts etc. has bought this interim kneejerk plan into play. We need a proper thought out sensible housing plan, that is sustainable.

mysterywoman10

306chris wrote: »

Ok - I GET A FAIR AMOUNT TO LIVE ON. if you acknowledge it isnt a luxurious lifestyle.

Yes we can cope and I've paid into the system for 16 years. But why should I be getting less now than my neighbour when we both live in the same size house and have the same number of children. I hate to say it but it simply isn't fair.

I agree would you agree that a £5 cut to all as an example would have been fair?