More money working part time than full time? Am I going mad?

tinkledom

MrsE wrote: »

It will be good when they finally revamp the crazy benefits system that makes it profitable for two able bodied people to work a handful of hours & take home more than a worker.

UC??? They can't get the system to work. No doubt it will eventually be kicked into the long grass like every other tin pot idea.


Benefits by themselves do not give a living 'wage'.
However you can increase this dramatically by claiming various premiums (mainly related to a disability of any sort).
Once those premiums come into play the income levels rise enormously.

tinkledom

MrsE wrote: »

I actually find this pretty offensive.
Are you suggestioning that parents who don't/can't/won't maximise (manipulate) the benefits system love their children any less?
Many parents would love to stay at home with their children all day, but hey ho, someone's gotta pay the taxes.

I think the comparison is between most fathers and those that appear on the Jeremy Kyle show for DNA results.


'Honest it's not mine, how can it be she slept with 6 other guys!!'

Takeaway_Addict

and people moan about benefits beings slashed....

tinkledom

Shiloe wrote: »

Don't know your personal circumstances (disabilities etc) and to be honest I don't care too many people in this country are happy to sit on their bum and let everyone else work ... disgusting :mad:

I agree entirely with you!!


But whilst the system encourages it, why work when you can have a better lifestyle balance whilst on benefits. Sorry, it's the system that is at fault, not those that claim on it.

tinkledom

StormyWeather wrote: »

OP, I don't think it's sensible to choose to be more reliant on benefits. This government is reducing them.

Where? When?


I have no idea which benefits you are talking about, but all of mine go up every year by at least the level of inflation.

FBaby

tinkledom wrote: »

But whilst the system encourages it, why work when you can have a better lifestyle balance whilst on benefits. Sorry, it's the system that is at fault, not those that claim on it.

Except that those people are the one crying they can't make ends meet when the time to make most of the benefits runs out.

I am sure many families did what OP wanted to do the minutes tax credits were introduce and probably laughted at those who worked yet enjoyed no more disposable income then themselves.

However, who is laughing now when their children are all leaving the household, they are realising that without children at home, benefits don't really pay, when those who did choose work and have done well are starting to look into working part-time, or enjoying a better quality of life because working finally paid off?

StormyWeather_2

tinkledom wrote: »

Where? When?


I have no idea which benefits you are talking about, but all of mine go up every year by at least the level of inflation.

Cap on total benefit per household.
Reducing the housing benefit that can be claimed.
Earnings cap for child benefit.
Increasing the job seeking commitment for claiming JSA.
Changes to disability benefits.
Plans to treat self employed as earning at NMW for UC purposes.

MrsE_2

StormyWeather wrote: »

Cap on total benefit per household.
Reducing the housing benefit that can be claimed.
Earnings cap for child benefit.
Increasing the job seeking commitment for claiming JSA.
Changes to disability benefits.
Plans to treat self employed as earning at NMW for UC purposes.

All valid & sensible.
The cap (including rent & council tax benefits) should be no more than NMW.
People shouldn't get more in benefits than people can earn.
Maximum benefits for 2 children, if you want loads pay for them yourself, my daughter can only afford 2, most working people can only afford 2.

Shiloe

tinkledom wrote: »

But whilst the system encourages it, why work when you can have a better lifestyle balance whilst on benefits. Sorry, it's the system that is at fault, not those that claim on it.

I simply don't agree....and thankfully most other people don't either due to having more self respect for themselves and their families. I work full time and when I am driving to work each morning surrounded by other commuters part of me feels a small sense of pride that I am showing my child you work for a living and contributing to this country at the same time.

StormyWeather_2

MrsE wrote: »

All valid & sensible.
The cap (including rent & council tax benefits) should be no more than NMW.
People shouldn't get more in benefits than people can earn.
Maximum benefits for 2 children, if you want loads pay for them yourself, my daughter can only afford 2, most working people can only afford 2.

I agree that they should have been reduced.

One of the problems with HB changes is some families will have been placed in private rentals by the councils. They had occupancy rules to follow but not social housing that could meet the needs. I don't know if they will get discretionary payments to cover the shortfall.

Another problem is, if you have been on low income or benefits for a while and living week to week, you might not be able to afford to move. 6 weeks deposit plus a month's rent in advance is a lot to come up with. Can't afford to stay, can't afford to move.