Benefits

PixiePie

Thought of another question :

What will happen/the OR say if you don't claim some benefits you may be entitled to? For eg, I know we are entitled to working tax credits and probably low income benefit or something (not really up to date with the names) but we are really against claiming benefits, so do not (there's the whole homeless issue as well, but that might soon be sorted thanks to council departments not talking to each other ).

Will our outgoing amount be reduced against any benefits we *should* be claiming, and therefore mean I get an IPA/O or will it just be not even mentioned?

Cheers if anyone knows

NekoZombie

Um no! I can't see anyway in which they could justify that...

rog2

Whilst the OR WILL ask about benefits, in your I/E statement, he/she will have NO interest in taking any money out of benefits.

PixiePie

Many thanks for that Conor, that's really really helpful. :rolleyes:

Although, it's not. As I don't have any children. And probably never will.

But top advice apart from that.

And I might not be in the mess I'm in?! How very dare you for judging - you don't know why I am in this mess. I believe we would only get about £20 a week for working tax credits. Not a huge amount and certainly not enough to reverse my current situation. How lovely for you to sit and preach. I asked a question as to whether the OR would make me take them, or take the same amount off my allowances. It's against all my morals to claim benefits and I would argue almost like a religion in my beliefs. I didn't ask if people think it's stupid for me not to claim them. I know what people like you think - and I would rather be starving as now than as morally corrupt as I believe you are. My point in saying that is simple - you probably don't care what I say, therefore why bother saying it? Same as your comment, although I do care - READ MY SIGNATURE!!!!!

Just think, had you not just said what you said, I might not be upset right now. Ignoramus.

msmicawber

Perhaps it was the use of the word 'stupid' that made this thread descend into a slanging match. It was tactless, but I get £20 a week tax credits and find it makes a hell of a difference because I'm struggling financially. If you're in debt, then it's £1,040 pa to throw at them, so he has a point, if indelicately made.

RAS

Pixie

Tactful, it may not have been, but the suggestion that you claim any benefit to which you are entitled is good advice.

I know that you are against claiming, but I really would rather pay my NI subs and taxes knowing that people who needed the money were claiming it.

After all that is what it is for. I have taken advantage in the past, and may well do in the future. It is an insurance policy, organised on a social scale rather than an individual one.

If you have contents insurance and were burgled or the house burnt down, you would calim then, so why not claim social insurance?

PS, really glad to hear that the housing situation might improve, but again, if it is a choice of struggling with the rent on somewhere decent, or claiming benefits, do you not think you deserve a decent roof over your head and the opportunity to sllep soundly at night.

scaredwitless32

I have no advice on this PixiePie, I guess they could take exception to it, in thinking that by not claiming it , you are trying to get away without IPA/IPO, I think its 'one of those things that you will have to deal with ' when and if the OR mentions it............... Let us know what happens though it would be interesting to know.

PixiePie

Shall do scared, I'm not trying to get out of the IPA (not that I think you were saying that btw ), but can see how it might be taken like that, so hopefully the OR will see I'm just an upfront person telling the truth but it goes against everything I believe in to claim benefits so therefore don't.

msmicawber - I'm really glad it has helped you. It really wouldn't with me/us - I've done the figures over and over and it just doesn't. Not to make a difference and make me put aside everything I believe in.

I agree that the word stupid probably was the touch paper and sorry if anyone thinks I over-reacted, but emotions are high at the moent, I'm hormonal as well and I'm sick of people judging on the one place that is meant to be without judgement - theres enough of it elsewhere surely?

msmicawber

I'm sorry it's of no use to you, Pixiepie, because it's one of the least complex and demeaning benefits to apply for. It's not as though you can't apply for it at a later date if your situation changes.

It must be a very anxious time for you, and I hope things become easier soon.

Broken_hearted

I can't understand why you wouldn't want to claim something you are entitled to but if you wish to suffer for your beliefs it's up to you. For us £140 or even £20 would mean a lot mainly for the children as they could have a few treats.

Conor_3

Exactly. And even if it were £1000 a year, that goes a long way to help sort out a repayment plan.

It's madness not to claim what you're entitled to. You're not doing it fraudulently and you'll have been paying tax and National Insurance all your working life.

Even the Government run campaigns telling people to claim what they're entitled to. The Govt have already put the money aside so it's not like you are increasing the social security figures.

And to the OP, yes I do know why you're in the mess you are now - you owe more than you have coming in, the same as everybody who has used this forum, myself included. How you got there is mostly irrelevent as the fact is you are there. The main way to solve it or to make sure you don't end up in the same situation a few years down the line is to increase your earnings.

If claiming a benefit you're entitled to means the difference between doing the weekly shop on your credit card and heading back down the slope, or paying with money you have in the bank, it's madness not to.

People end up in debt sometimes because they don't earn enough to meet their daily living expenses. These benefits are there to help those with a low income. Sometimes even £20 a week can make the difference between sinking and swimming.