wages same as benefits - what would you do?

seven-day-weekend

woodbine wrote: »

where its financially possible i suspect mums best at home whilst kids in junior school,but thats what we did and its a personal opinion

But it is not financially possible if she is having to claim Benefits to do it.

I think she should take the job. The years will soon go by and then the children won't need childcare.

If she can afford to stay at home without Benefits, then she has the choice, otherwise no, imho.

melysion

Take the job. In my view, its better to even be slightly worse off by working than claiming benefits.

And - long term - it will be better for her than continuing to claim benefits now and find herself unemployable later when she needs a job after the children have left home (and she loses all those benefits)

Marisco

The decider for me would be the "good prospects". If it was say a part time job in Tescos (or anywhere) knowing that that is where you'll always be, then no, I wouldn't take it for the extra hassle and expense. But a job that has prospects a few years down the line, is worth putting up with a bit of hassle, commuting and childcare costs. I'd say go for it!

dktreesea

The thing is with Avon, and therefore being self empployed, once UC comes in, she's going to be hit with the minimum income floor, so assessed as if she is earning the NMW for whatever hours she is required to work (presumably the hours children are in school if all at school). That's going to hit her benefits income like a stone. it's one thing to be assessed on an approximately, say, £600 a month income if youa actually receive it, but quite another if that's your deemed income for benefits purposes but you only earn £200 a month.

My suggestion would be to tell her to take the job, to just try it and see. At least that way she'll assure her family's income into the future. If she doesn't go ahead now, she could end up having a lifetime of regrets, knowing she missed out on something that could have been really good. If she takes it and realises she can't manage, she can always give it up.

KxMx

With all the benefits changes (cuts), and the fact Avon income could change any time, I would take the job.
I see financially the job as a more stable option than her current income.

jgh

Teahfc wrote: »

Self respect.
Surely if she has sense and pride it is a no brainer.
Her 4 kids and hubby will I am sure be more proud of a working mum than a benefit reliant mum ?.

Oh yeah, pride and self-respect stops you going bankrupt.

Mojisola

Teahfc wrote: »

Good prospects she mentioned.
Self respect.
Surely if she has sense and pride it is a no brainer.
Her 4 kids and hubby will I am sure be more proud of a working mum than a benefit reliant mum ?

So she doesn't have self-respect because she looks after a home and four young children and also earns through Avon?

If her husband isn't proud of her now, shouldn't he be ashamed of himself as well - the money from benefits goes into the family budget so he's living off benefits as well.

Teahfc

Mojisola wrote: »

So she doesn't have self-respect because she looks after a home and four young children and also earns through Avon?

If her husband isn't proud of her now, shouldn't he be ashamed of himself as well - the money from benefits goes into the family budget so he's living off benefits as well.

All fine and dandy having 4 kids and being a great parent, but not very well budgeted if you have to rely on £250 a week in tax credits ?
What happens .. And it will when the big Tory axe comes down on tax credits ?
A job with prospects or a P/T job and hoping the tax credits worse case stay at same level ?
Sometimes when you see your boat coming in its best to swim out and meet it rather than wait for it to dock.

TheSaint_2

If she can afford not to work, that is the best option for young children. There is no substitute for a Childs mother. However, many women have to work because the finances force it to happen.


If possible I would wait for the children to be at school, then get a job part time during school hours. Then when the children are old enough go full time.


If you have children you have made a choice to take on responsibility for another human being. You should not try to avoid that responsibility. The benefits system is here to support people bring up their children.

Mojisola

Teahfc wrote: »

All fine and dandy having 4 kids and being a great parent, but not very well budgeted if you have to rely on £250 a week in tax credits ?

That wasn't my point - the four children have two parents - should they be proud of their Dad who goes out to work but not their Mum who is working hard raising them? Should their Dad only be proud of his wife if she brings a salary into the household despite the fact that he is living off benefits along with the rest of them.

I agree with you about having more children than you can afford to raise. I think all children related benefits should be limited to two per couple.