Money Moral Dilemma: Should my daughter claim Universal Credit?

HillStreetBlues

TheShape said:

Original post reported for breaking the forum's own rules.

If the original post is allowed to stay, then it's very difficult to suggest that other forum members can't just pile in with personal judgement about any forum member who asks about benefit entitlement.

The MMD are about getting people to sign up for the forums and increase footfall, but this one has the hallmarks of selling your soul to the Devil to mimic a Daily Mail style comments. If that's the route they want to take, I'll certainly not be sticking around.

retired19

Yes she should claim. This is not charity it is what we all paid our taxes for. Even if she has not paid much into the system so far you will have. If your car was damaged on an accident you would claim on your insurance - it's the same principle 
 If she really doesn't need it she can donate it to a charity many are struggling at the moment as other sources of income are cut.

Kjijj

Yes yes yes yes. She is eligible because she is eligible. If she doesn’t claim the money she is due it will simply be absorbed into the government’s balance. Whilst this money will then be spent on other worthwhile government stuff, she would be choosing to be additionally taxed.

Don’t get me wrong, if she chooses to donate that cash to the rest of us, we (UK society) would thank her but, personally, I could easily think of a thousand other things to spend it on! If she’s feeling guilty there’s always charity 

smartermind

If her savings are less than £16K then she is entitled to claim. If the savings are greater than £16K then the claim will be denied or tapered. I remember in the late 70's and 80's claiming unemployment benefit during the summer holidays whilst a student. Of course, I didn'r have a silver spoon or savings.

keithyno.1

If she honestly and truthfully completes the application and is judged by the Department for Work & Pensions to meet the acceptability criteria then of course the daughter should pursue a claim and then receive the benefit.

Note that the parent said in their post that the daughter is currently job hunting. One of the aims of Universal Credit/Jobseekers Allowance is to support claimants financially with costs such as travel to interviews, postage, suitable clothing for interviews etc in their search for work.

As others have previously pointed out, her National Insurance contribution will be paid - nobody should allow gaps in contributions if they can help it as it can lead to difficulties claiming and receiving the full state pension years down the line (as Martin has documented many times on this website over the years).

Finally, to those who've suggested that she shouldn't claim the benefit because (in their eyes) she doesn't really need it, using the same reasoning and logic would you suggest that parents shouldn't claim Child Benefit if they have well paying jobs, or people of pension age shouldn't claim the state pension if they have a private pension coming in? 

04Felix15

Firstly your daughter seems like a nice young adult. 

You know at age 18 you want to try things your way first.

Support her current decision however you can and see how her job hunt  goes during her gap year.  I hope she is successful in securing something quickly. 

If it’s proving difficult, on the job front for your daughter, Let her know she’s tried and you’re proud of her. Then   suggest universal credit again if she entitles to it, and meets the criteria. Explain how it can help her and what services they provide. 

_nate

She should claim. The government will extract tax from her when she earns an income. The purpose of the tax is to support society. She doesn't have an income now so she should benefit from the system we have devised.

justwhat

squirrel59 said:

I can't get over some of the comments here. If you want to know what is wrong with our country nowadays, read the responses on this forum. 

Benefits are for people who NEED them. 'Entitlement' in itself should not be the deciding factor.
Your daughter does not need benefits and is therefore, rightly, ashamed to ask for them. Good for her.

Maybe....Maybe not ...
The definition of NEED regarding living standards has changed over the years. Fast internet and a good mobile phone is now considered a necessity by some. Pets with the high feeding bills are now an except able necessity by some. 

Today You don't "NEED" if you have X amount in the bank.  

It's very much down to perception.  

Muttleythefrog

This board is clearly marked by Admin for helping people get their entitlements and not debate about policy etc. I can't see why admin keep dumping threads to generate debates in here while then policing to prevent exactly the same from users.

If she's entitled to UC or thinks she is then she should apply. End of. 

justwhat

Yes, claim it. 

Why -
Because the rules say she can, the system allows it. Because she can use the money  and keep other resources for later. You do not know what the future holds.

If its not claimed it will just be used or misused by the government. You have no control over were this money would be diverted to.