Anyone else just HATE the government system?!

I think if anyone is saving enough money for a Disney trip whilst on benefits then they're conning the system. It's supposed to be a base level payment to ensure you can live life day to day without too much of a struggle. Sadly it's not enough to cover the cost of living for some people, and yet there are people claiming things they're not entitled to and having far more than their fair share.

I’ve had to switch jobs (there’s so much to the story) and won’t get any maternity from work, I’ve applied for money and being given the bare minimum I don’t understand how they calculate what everyone’s entitled too….. it seems those who deserve and NEED the money don’t ever get it 😭 as much as I don’t want to admit defeat I don’t have the energy to search and find different ways to get what I’m entitled too

I feel you! Is this regarding UC? Have you tried them? It’s been a nightmare. It’s not fair at all some of the things we’re put through just because we decide to have kids that actually, in retrospect, support the economy; yet we’re not given enough to do so. I don’t know anyone who shops like how mums shop! Have you also looked into starting to work from home? Oriflame & Tropic Skincare are great opportunities you should look into. PM me if need be. ❤️ Make sure to claim healthy start benefits too and also Sure Start Maternity Grant ❤️

£20k a year for teaching ?! That doesn’t seem right ? I’m teaching in London so do get a fair bit more for the London weighting , but still even if I were to move up north I’d be on probably £30k minimum. Do you think you could maybe move schools? Sounds like you are being underpaid massively 😳

I definitely think the whole system is wrong!! We are the same as you where we own our home and get no further help bar the basic child benefit. I see so many people playing the system! I even know a family where they are all on benefits, but just too lazy to work! The mum is well known around the area to help other people make claims! 🙄 The bloke has just come back from 3 weeks in Thailand with different women most of the time 🤢 then comes back to the UK and slags off the NHS haha.

@Charlotte it's a private school, so I'm working as an unqualified teacher 🥲 so still getting more than I would as a TA!

@Sophia So Frustrating!! I hate it! We barely earn enough between us to cover our mortgage and bills and yet we can't get a penny extra. We've said so many times what's the point in working when you see people just not bothering. Of course for some people that do work, the benefits are needed, but for those that cheat the system its a joke!!

You might qualify for some universal credit, just not the housing element of it. If the mortgage is a struggle maybe you could look at taking a mortgage holiday? Not a long term fix but might get you through for a bit. I agree that it's annoying when people game the system but if they made it super strict then the people who really need the help wouldn't get it. I believe that most people receiving benefits actually need them and it's a minority that are playing games. We had to save three months worth of my salary to cover the unpaid portion of my maternity leave and I know I'm lucky because I had 9 months full pay before that but it was still hard. Save as much as you can in advance!

System is all wrong, the harder you work to better your self and your family the more you are penalised by the system. I've always worked but wanted to get my Masters and make a career change so last year I left my job whilst under going IVF and started my Masters (nearly finished now thankfully) I worked part time for the first few months even part time inwas earning £14k but then had complications from the IVF and decided to leave to recover. Took 3 months off uni and work to recover and went back for the next semester and got a part time min wage job straight away as well but was only a 6 month contract. I'm not entitled to child benefit as my husband earns just slightly over the threshold and believe I will only get the bare minimum maternity allowance even with working full time for the last 11 years after graduation university the first time just because I took a year out and am married and a home owner. Xx

I think you will qualify for Universal credit you wouldn’t get help with the house but you should get a top up. I would definitely try and apply for it.

yes I don't agree with it. It's when people who work get 15 hours free childcare but people who don't work get 30 hours yet they are at home and could look after their kids I don't get it at all

I know it’s really not fair. I do earn a good wage as I’m self employed and work for an agency. I’ve been working 13 hour days to save ready for maternity because the £700 a month is just ridiculous and I am the bread winner. I’m not sure how anyone expects to be able to pay their bills mortgage necessities on that amount. We have been trying for a baby for years and so luckily we’ve been saving all that time so we’ll be fine but it is just pants and can really sympathise. I also know what you mean regarding people playing the system as my hubby’s family are similar - council house, not working yet have been to Florida Disney, Disneyland, New York etc

I'm on benefits I struggle to save enough to keep for birthdays n my kids parties so I have no clue how she saving for Disney land

We are in the same position, I will get SMP and my partner is self employed so could potentially go wrong.. we own our home and because of that we get no help at all. My mat pay doesn’t even cover half of our mortgage!

@Ellie In the exact same position as you. Been trying to save for when I wont be paid stat pay, but at this rate, everything is being spent on baby stuff. Doing my best to get things second hand and rely on gifts, but can only do so much.

I’m a student and work part time but because of being a student not entitled to any benefits. Parents kicked me out when they found out I was pregnant and the govt advice was to take out maximum student loan of £8000 (interest rates of 8%) and go into student accommodation (Can’t have minors in student accom which I told them but they didn’t care) or drop out of uni. my daughters 7 weeks now and still I don’t get any financial help. I didn’t take their advice and take out the max loan as I have to pay that back plus extra. So I’ll be in 1000s of debt on top of my tuition fee debt. The govt give 0 support to pregnant students and so many ppl when u don’t fit in their box. They let some people to stay on benefits for life that don’t need and others to not get them for periods of time they are in need

I feel you, we're in the same boat as you, house mortgage and struggling to make ends meet

@Hannah Thats awful. I dont personally know student mothers but the best advice I heard from hearsay from others was to request a break in learning for a year. Then take all the benefits you can as a single mother (if you can/are) then go back once baby is born. If the university you were at didn’t accommodate babies, you couldve transferred. I know my uni at Essex had a free creche for student mothers on benefits. I know its too late now but so sorry you went through that 💔

@Serena thanks ❤️ I only have 1 more year keft so just wanted to push through and get it done. Luckily I can watch my lectures online but otherwise I would of had to have a break Cus no free childcare. The system needs to change.

This system is such a joke!! It's infuriating to see so many of us in the same position!! It's as if the government think as soon as you own a house you must be financially stable enough for everything?! Absolute joke! As for you @Hannah that's just insane! I really feel for you! Well done for sticking it out! I've got student loans and debts but doubt I'll ever earn enough to have to pay them back tbh!

The system never works in favour of the working class. Sad reality

Try to remember that although this is frustrating right now that you and your partner are playing the long game and your hard work will benefit you and your family in the future. The welfare system can change at the drop of a hat and people who are playing the system will get caught out eventually. Your potential to progress in your career means that you know your financial situation can improve and you can aspire to that, whereas these people in your extended family who seem to be living it large have probably reached their income cap x