Preparing for the biggest move of our life

Tinkerbelle2000

I totally agree with everything you are saying Bellevie. I am worried when UC gets brought out here but at least I have a wage and child benefits to fall back on. And hopefully early next year we will be living with my mum.

I think the craziest idea that they came up with is that tenants have to pay their own rent instead of it being paid direct to the council. As soon as I heard this was happening I said that people who can't budget properly are going to get in arrears and then start getting eviction letters. Worst idea ever.

I'm going to have a look in my cupboards to see what I can donate to local food bank and get a few bits in my shopping as well.

Tink xx

kelpie35

I am sorry but I do not agree with you re giving claimants money to pay their own rent.

People need to take responsibility and learn to budget.

I do know there are people who find this difficult but if something is always done for them, how are they supposed to learn.

I do understand there are people who need guidance with budgeting and I do not have a problem with them receiving help in that area.

The other thing that really annoys me, and I have seen it with my own eyes, people rolling up to food banks with fags hanging out their mouths. If they used fag money on food there might be enough left to feed really deserving people.

Sorry if this sounds really harsh but it really annoys me that people now live in a society where they think they are owed something for nothing.

bellevie

Oh no I dont disagree with the principle of universal credit.

I disagree with the gap of no money for 6 weeks or more.

I disagree with not having even an option for the most severely unwell tenants to have payments made direct until they are on the brink of eviction.

Everyone else will learn to cope, or loose their homes.

No one can go direct to a food bank with the one we use, I refer people after I have visited, done a full income & expenditure, seen bank statements, bare cupboards etc.
I think they can self refer to CAB for emergency 24 hour bag, but not to the foodbank, they do not allow them to collect either, either volunteers or the referrers have to deliver.

kelpie35

Correct me if I am wrong, but I was lead to believe that HB is paid in arrears.

So by my calculation, they would be in arrears by 4 weeks if they did not have the spare money to either pay their rent or make a contribution towards it.

Are you telling me that LA or HA would evict a tenant because they were in arrears for 1 month?

bellevie

No Kelpie, I do not believe HA's would evict people with 1 month arrears, I dont think any judge in the land would allow it.

I said, direct payments can not be applied for until there are 8 weeks worth of arrears, by which time they will have worked through the arrears process. I cant speak for all, but our HA hold's off for as long as residents engage with support, especially if when know the delay is not their fault.

However we cannot not push forward a UC case until there is a serious risk, which means notices being served.

It would surprise me if there are any HA's given that they were set up to help society that would choose to make someone homeless unless it was completely their fault (eg receiving UC but choosing not to pay rent)

My gripe is that there are people that have to get to that point before we can intervene with UC, and they have been left with nothing to live on for 6 weeks or more aside from child benefit, if they get it.

kelpie35

Well my gripe is that these people have known for months that UC was going to be kicking in and they should have budgeted for the changes.

Once again people who are receiving benefits just want everything laid on their plate.

I do feel sorry for people who possible, due to illness, find all these changes very difficult. These are the people who need supported, not the lazy people who think society owes them something.

SuzieSue

I also feel very sorry for people who suddenly become ill and need to rely on benefits because most people do not realise that the benefit system will not support them.

Everyone should be forced to take out PHI/Income replacement insurance so that they will have an adequate income if they fall ill. If everyone had to take it out then it would be much cheaper than it is at the moment.

But people need to stop having children if they cannot afford them. Before they have children they need to work out what they would do if their marriage broke up so that they are not a burden on the State.

Our country is not rich. The national debt is rapidly rising towards £2 trillion and that does not even include future state and public sector pension liabilities.

bellevie

Of course they if they were capable they should have saved, but I am not about to allow children go hungry because of parents mistakes, and as routine if a family is regularly in a 'crisis' needing foodbank a referral to SS is automatic.

Suzie, I think future generations will start to think more and more about the size of their families. Unfortunately the previous state system encouraged large families tax credits in particular, I truly do see that, but again I do not think children should suffer because of their parents mistakes. Its a sure way to make sure they will grow up hating the world around them.

If they see kindness, just a little, I hope I am planting a seed that will grow, that they might grow doing everything to avoid finding themselves in their parents situation, and aspire to something better.

bellevie

Calmer day today, met with my friend had quick but nice lunch.

Routine paperwork, felt good to clear down and kept me feeling calm and steady.

I'm counting down the days until I see my beautiful nieces & nephew, its always been just DD & I every Christmas without fail, a couple of failed arrangements but cancelled at last minute due to chicken pox /vomit bugs/flu whatever hit us or the friends who invited us.

I hope there are no cancellations this year as I have no back up Christmas dinner:eek:

bellevie

Hello 2017!!!!!

There were no cancellations I am happy to report It was exhausting as anticipated, but we enjoyed every second.

I then had 2 short days at work last week before another long weekend and I return tomorrow.

For the first time in a long time I haven set myself resolutions, mainly because Im so indecisive about life in general!

I will continue as I am saving as hard as I can. I have got myself a new little hobby which takes up most of my evenings - painting! Watercolour to start with. I find it really soothing, and am better than I ever was at school, I suspect though that is because I am sticking to youtube tutorials instead of trying to make something up myself! I havent got a creative bone in my body, but I can follow instructions pretty well

I take quite good photos, well as good as my phone allows. So when I have mastered mixing the right shades I can try to use my photos as inspiration - the sunsets around here are always amazing.

DD had a ball at Christmas, and was very happy with the gifts santa got her. Mr T was well behaved on holiday, he had his bone from santa and his new bed was waiting here for our return - he loves it!

Part fitted on tumble dryer today, so its hopefully no longer at risk. It now has an additional 3 month warranty which is handy as the original warranty expired long ago.

Im going to run an early bath and relax a little longer before prepping for work tomorrow. Its going to be tough getting up and out when we have been so used to sleeping in.