Benefit rant, require some straight talking

Alan77

Thanks
Strangely, I just ran the calculator linked here, and it seemed far healthier than previously
Am very confused now lol
Giving up work certainly isn't for me, if she were to get a well payed job then it could be an option, but thats's fairly unlikely

Dunroamin

Nat1990 wrote: »

Next year, I am embarking on a masters degree (£4500) for which you do not get any student loan because it's postgrad. In order to afford to pay for this course (and to eat) I am working three minimum wage jobs (in spite of having a first class degree). This is annoying, frustrating, and tiring, but all of this adds to my cv. I have friends intending to take a gap year on job seekers in order to pay for their course. My argument against this course of action (and the action that you want to take) is if you do take this time off, you are going to make yourself unemployable. This is a huge risk - in the short term you may be better off on benefits, but in the long term, you certainly won't! Grin and bear it like I am and in a few years you will have a great cv so you can get a higher paid job and be able to support your family!

How would a year on JSA help them fund a postgraduate degree?

FBaby

Think long term, think long term, think long term....that time will come and when it does, you will be so happy that you have gained better work experience, allowing a better income to support and treat your family, rather than being still stressing about whether your benefit will be transferred to your bank and whether it will be enough to afford to repair your car that's falling apart...

StormyWeather_2

You would find it more difficult to get back into employment. Whenever you started to look again, you'd be competing with the people that are currently employed and looking to move jobs or those who have recently been made redundant. The other candidates will potentially cost an employer less as their experience and knowledge is fresh. The long term unemployed will require more training.

Could you work different hours, such as 4 long days so you get a 3 day weekend? Could you change jobs to minimise travel time?

StormyWeather_2

Dunroamin wrote: »

How would a year on JSA help them fund a postgraduate degree?

I'd like to know that too. I've been told you can only get up to level 2 free while on benefits. Level 2 is the equivalent of GCSE. Post grad would be level 5.

Dunroamin

StormyWeather wrote: »

I'd like to know that too. I've been told you can only get up to level 2 free while on benefits. Level 2 is the equivalent of GCSE. Post grad would be level 5.

I assumed they intended to save up for the fees during their year out but that's hardly possible if they're only bring in 50 odd quid a week on JSA!

Morlock

Dunroamin wrote: »

I assumed they intended to save up for the fees during their year out but that's hardly possible if they're only bring in 50 odd quid a week on JSA!

Perhaps they are under the impression that claiming JSA is a route to free fags, booze, TV, mansion, new car, designer clothes etc as perpetuated by the media and f**kwits who believe the hype.

Dovah_diva

To be honest, Alan77, if you want to be entirely dependant on the state to feed, clothe and home your kids, you go right ahead. However, there is far more pride and self respect in being able to provide for your own family, buy what you want with money you have earned and being able to say 'I did/bought that'. Not to mention that on benefits you are at the mercy of ever changing policies.

Nada666

Morlock wrote: »

Perhaps they are under the impression that claiming JSA is a route to free fags, booze, TV, mansion, new car, designer clothes etc as perpetuated by the media and f**kwits who believe the hype.

That only applies to those who have children or who are sick (sic).

fingledingle

Nada666 wrote: »

That only applies to those who have children or who are sick (sic).

Oh the compassion! Milkman of human kindness stopped delivering in your area?.;)