What's the fuss about this new benefit caps?

remorseless

michaels wrote: »

We get the max cash which is 13.6k with 3 kids 2 adults 1 working more than 30 hours. Sadly we don't qualify for free school meals or council tax benefit. But we do get free prescriptions and 50% off school music lessons.

without sounding unreasonable, £13.6k is less than the £20k (or £23 in London). But why do you feel as you need to get this incentive/support? Why can't your household find the extra £13.6k through wages?

Apologies in advance if it sounds rude, I am *really* trying to understand, I grew up somewhere with no generous benefits so I find it really hard to understand, because of that, benefits is not something in my thinking logic at all.

£13.6~ is the tax due on someone earning £60k/year...

skintpaul

Let's keep MSE a place to HELP, not judge each other.

Afaik, is on JSA, you STILL have to pay something towards rent (aka 'bedroom tax' - don't go there!), and council tax 'benefit reduction' -
For me that is a total of c.£17 a week, straight off the £72 JSA.

Single no kids, in a council flat (ongoing, long time tenant- assigned from parents).

There's no way I could afford to buy a place, or rent privately- prices were way out of my league, even when I was working.

People can find themselves in dire straits, through not fault of their own- redundancy, illness/injury if self employed, etc..

imo, it's very hypocritical of MP's tightening the screw on already struggling folks, when taking a massive hike in pay- albeit set by an *cough* independent panel..

CLAPTON

skintpaul wrote: »

Let's keep MSE a place to HELP, not judge each other.

Afaik, is on JSA, you STILL have to pay something towards rent (aka 'bedroom tax' - don't go there!), and council tax 'benefit reduction' -
For me that is a total of c.£17 a week, straight off the £72 JSA.

Single no kids, in a council flat (ongoing, long time tenant- assigned from parents).

There's no way I could afford to buy a place, or rent privately- prices were way out of my league, even when I was working.

People can find themselves in dire straits, through not fault of their own- redundancy, illness/injury if self employed, etc..

imo, it's very hypocritical of MP's tightening the screw on already struggling folks, when taking a massive hike in pay- albeit set by an *cough* independent panel..

why do you think you are more entitled to your oversized subsidised council house, rather than say, a young teacher, nurse, utility worker etc doing an essential job in Brighton, just because you 'inherited' it from your parents?
A bit hypocritical perhaps?

remorseless

if you receive any benefits, are you allowed to be a home-owner?

remorseless

skintpaul wrote: »

Single no kids, in a council flat (ongoing, long time tenant- assigned from parents).

There's no way I could afford to buy a place, or rent privately- prices were way out of my league, even when I was working.

I hear you can share your flat and even your room!

I couldn't afford to live on my own on my first job, that's why I was sharing, and I shared for a long time before I could afford something on my own. And even then, after a while I went back to sharing because it made more economical sense so I could save money.

antrobus

skintpaul wrote: »

Let's keep MSE a place to HELP, not judge each other. ......

You have misunderstood.

This is the Debate House Prices and the Economy forum, mate; you are supposed to debate things. And debate often involves pointing out that certain things are just plain insanely stupid. If you want help, you are in the wrong bl00dy place.:)

antrobus

remorseless wrote: »

if you receive any benefits, are you allowed to be a home-owner?

Yes.

You can even get help with your mortgage payments. There are time limits.

remorseless

antrobus wrote: »

Yes.

You can even get help with your mortgage payments. There are time limits.

Thank you but !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I may understand if say sudden, short term (less than 6 months), hardship but otherwise... no no

lisyloo

Thank you but !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a strong advocate of taknig responsibility and doing financial planning.
For example if you have a family it's a good idea to get life insurance.

But if a person falls on hard times - let's say womanand kids get abandoned, then often it makes sense to pay their mortgage short term (interest only no capital) rather than turf them out and have to pay a higher rent.
How does it help to turf them out? The woman and kids (in this example) all need somewhere to live.
I would agree they should not get any repayment (and they don't).
This is short term help - interest only i.e. the equivalent of rent for somewhere to live.

I agree with some of your points, but I think you need to find out facts and understand before you make judgements. The help they get is limited both in amount and time, but it makes far more sense to give them a chance to get back on their feet.
If we had dozens of empty council hosues ready for them to go in then perhaps that might be an idea, but we know that is not the case and they would end up on housing benefit which would in a lot of cases be a higher cost.

but otherwise... no no

I hope I've changed your mind.
Short term it generally makes sense to keep them in their own homes.

I do agree with you that it is underieable to have people (and big businesses) manipulating hours and pay to maximise benefits.
This means relatively comfortable individuals can sacrifice salary into their pensions to get benefits.
It means big business can offer part time hours and reduce salaries.
You should not blame individuals for doing what's best for their families or businesses for maximising their profit. You should blame the government for making their rules so easily manipulated.

michaels

antrobus wrote: »

Yes.

You can even get help with your mortgage payments. There are time limits.

Capital in your personal dwelling is the only sort that is disregarded for benefits entitlement purposes (although currently tax credits are not capital assessed, one of the few benefits that isn't although this changes with UC after which point savign up for a mortgage deposit will be very bad news if you become unemployed)

The most recent budget announced that SMI (mortage interest equivalent of housing benefit) will become a loan (attached to the property) not a grant in the near future. Not sure if it will still be capped at 104(?) weeks as well.

I was just trying to help with amounts, if you work 30 hours plus and have taxable income of less than 6400 with 3 kids you get cash (as opposed to ouncil tax and housing benefit or free school meals) benefit of 13.6k, tapering at currently 41% (From 16/17 3850 tapering at 48%). Other benefits such as housing, council tax etc are assessed against capital. SMI I don't know.