Would you be better of on benefits?

NBLondon

From the title - I thought this was going to be about the people who are on the borderline where getting a minimum wage or ZHC job loses them more in benefits than they are likely to take home. The people for whom it does seem to be a rational question.


The difference between the OP and the scroungers is in opportunity. OP can move on and improve his lot with hard work (as he already has done). Those who settle for living off the state may be able to do so in apparent moderate comfort but this is never going to improve - and may worsen if we have any more Tory governments.


Plus there's an element of self-respect - can you put a value on that?

Person_one

Would I be better off on benefits? Of course not, I'd never have been able to buy my own home, I wouldn't be able to go on holidays abroad, I wouldn't have the option of doing some overtime if I wanted a bit of extra cash for a luxury or an unexpected cost.

But...I love my job, and I get genuine pleasure and satisfaction from what I do that is nothing to do with money. Maybe you should stop thinking the grass is greener on the other side (which it isn't!) and start trying to make some changes to make yourself happier.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

45 hours a week in a sales job that you're bored with? Time to change career.

Detroit

You and your wife would be entitled to £114 per week JSA between you.This is after you had served the sanction period for voluntarily giving up your jobs.


Assuming you live in outer London, you would get up to £199 per week to rent a one bed property (around half of this if you live in Birmingham).


Your usual utilities, food, travel and other essential expenditure would need to be paid from the £114.


You can calculate from this if you would be better off.

Guest101

Detroit wrote: »

You and your wife would be entitled to £114 per week JSA between you.This is after you had served the sanction period for voluntarily giving up your jobs.


Assuming you live in outer London, you would get up to £199 per week to rent a one bed property (around half of this if you live in Birmingham).


Your usual utilities, food, travel and other essential expenditure would need to be paid from the £114.


You can calculate from this if you would be better off.

Don't forget CB and CTC in 22 weeks

DigForVictory

Arithmetically, perhaps. My husband, son & I would all have to endure humiliating medical examinations as to how disabled we are, and my job would have to move Even Further away (entirely possible but in 2020).

Emotionally, self respect etc? Over my dead body.

hazyjo

My mortgage (£600-ish) is only half of my bills, not including shopping, going out, clothes, etc. People on benefits don't get a free ride, despite what a lot of TV progs would like you to believe. My disabled friend struggles with what she gets.


My BF was claiming JSA when he quit his college course, but they only support that for so long. We have now decided he's the house husband and I work. He doesn't get a penny. He's not entitled to it. It's not too much of a struggle. Am sure more could do it if they put their mind to it. Makes my life very easy. My job is rarely pressurised - albeit long hours/travel, but I go home and relax, and the weekends are my own. I don't do anything apart from make the occasional meal on a Sat night as I like cooking. He makes the bed, brings me breakfast upstairs when I'm getting ready, has dinner waiting for me when I get home, and does all the chores inbetween. It's lovely




Jx

chelseablue

I think I am better off working, I get £32,000 a year and have one child. I hope people aren't getting paid that much to sit at home!


My partner works full time too

pollyanna24

I must admit, I sometimes think the same.

I spent my 20s (bought when 21) paying a mortgage when most people my age probably spent all their money.

Now I'm a single mum to two little girls and I don't get a penny in CTC or WTC because I earn too much (okay, I do get something, I still get child benefit).

When I see people in the school playground (I get Fridays off work, wahey!), I do wonder why I bother. If someone is on benefits, I assume some get their council tax paid on top of jsa and housing benefits. I could be wrong, so please don't shoot me down for this.

I hardly get to spend any time with my girls. I could quit my job, but no one is going to pay my mortgage for me. I would have to sell up and live off the equity before I get any help.

Why should some people get to see their children grow up and others not?

But, ultimately, I will carry on doing what I am doing. I don't have enough left over each month to contribute a lot to a private pension (my boss gives the minimum that he has to now), but because I live in the South East, my end plan is to sell up and buy somewhere cheaper outright in time to come.

Caroline_a

curty510 wrote: »

I already have private cover through my job, but still have to fund the NHS though national insurance contributions. Best healthcare system, in who's opinion, not mine by a mile.

It depends. I also have private healthcare through work. 12 months ago I was diagnosed (by a private consultant) with stage 4 lymphoma. The consultant passed me straight back to the NHS - they do it a lot better than us, he said. The care I received was absolutely second to none. So don't assume that your private health will cover every ailment.