Universal Credit

[Fromtherough]

If your son had received the money at the time, would he have qualified for UC when he claimed the benefit? If not then he actually hasn’t lost out anything. The system is not ideal, but in place to support those that need it most. This boost in his income, even if only a one off, should be factored in and means the state shouldn’t need to support him for the period in which he receives it - not earns it.

To attempt to wait for this to blow over is more than a bit blasé. If you’re capable of working and you don’t try, suggests a lot about a person. A few of my self employed friends were diddled over the government support. One of them for cashing in a pension. He is a joiner and instead of claiming government support, went out and picked fruit, delivered takeaways and worked in a supermarket. He’s 56 and could have seen some of these as demeaning, but he didn’t. My respect for him went through the roof. Perhaps if your son had a similar ethic, he would be receiving this back pay and could view it as a bonus, rather than a restriction in his state funded benefit. That sounds a little harsh, but I think that is the actual reality of the situation.

 

[Griffsters]

We know of one self-employed bloke who has bought himself a Porsche with money from one of the government schemes. Makes you pretty sick at the inequality in many of our systems and our society.

This reminds me of one of our neighbours who let slip government money, supposedly to help them through tough times, is paying for a new driveway.

It frustrates me how often I see in our society those that already have resources help themselves to money that is supposed to help those much worse off. Simply because they know how to work it. Trickle down economy? My arse.

 

[Old Skier]

He’s allowed money in savings so put it in savings.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the whole thing, but I thought furloughing of staff was what companies did with their PAYE staff, but the UC use was for the self employed as a means of some support?
So if I am right (often not) why are the 2 words being used in the one situation?

 

[chrisd]

and it was government law that stopped the companies paying my son before he was anywhere near claiming UC.

The Directors of Companies were entitled to pay wages owed even if those Directors were themselves furloughed, but I expect it'll be Boris's fault - it always is

 

[Papas1982]

I think the fact you’ve admitted he didn’t look for readily available work shows that whatever the government do, unless it’s guarantee him a job in gigs it won’t be enough For him.

Most people don’t do the dream job they had as a kid. Now if you or your parents can afford to let you follow your dreams. Perfect. But if not, then get in the real world and do what pay the bills.

I accept that’s a harsh response, but this clearly plays on your mind as You’ve had 3/4 threads about it. There comes a time when all others have been blamed.......

 

[SocketRocket]

If you've loaned him money can he use the money to repay you?

 

[Blue in Munich]

I think the fact you’ve admitted he didn’t look for readily available work shows that whatever the government do, unless it’s guarantee him a job in gigs it won’t be enough For him.

Most people don’t do the dream job they had as a kid. Now if you or your parents can afford to let you follow your dreams. Perfect. But if not, then get in the real world and do what pay the bills.

I accept that’s a harsh response, but this clearly plays on your mind as You’ve had 3/4 threads about it. There comes a time when all others have been blamed.......

He has at least had a taste of his dream job in gigs, which is more than many of us get. And as there currently are no gigs, I'm afraid that for the time being the reality is taking a mundane job like the rest of us or accept the lifestyle that Universal Credit provides.

 

[chellie]

Performing arts, Nightclub management and DJing; Venue coordination for touring bands and other acts/artists. All gone and no idea at all when it might restart. Recent government relaxations don’t apply.

We know of one self-employed bloke who has bought himself a Porsche with money from one of the government schemes. Makes you pretty sick at the inequality in many of our systems and our society.

So have you reported him?????

 

[chellie]

Over the years, I have had some great times and also been in some pretty poor situations, but one thing I have ALWAYS done is gone out and worked.
Often this has involved horrible jobs because I think I have an inbuilt sense of pride in earning a living for myself.

Sorry to say this but I keep seeing a recurring topic of this poor, hard done by young man not getting bailed out by benefits because he can't work in the specific job he wants. Life doesn't really work like that for most of us.

Well said.

 

[SocketRocket]

The UC system isn't fit for purpose

Constant mistakes and leaves people on the brink..

Someone we know used to work with young people (under 25) who needed help with UC etc in hostels so have heard all the stories of how their left for weeks with zero money to pay for food and the hostel until it's sorted

Friend of mine posted this on FB other day

"I lowered my hours to work around my son so now I only work 22 & half hours a week on a low income, I usually get £26 every Saturday towards housing rent, today I got paid 50 pence! ? ?‍"

The system is broke. The system it replaced cost more ofc but least people didn't actually suffer as bad

This is not meant as a personal dig, more a reflection on how we as a society have created a situation where we think people under 40 are young, vunerable and in need of nurturing. I accept there are some who have learning difficulties and health issues but when I was 25 I had been married three years, had a child and was serving in the Navy, at 25 my Dad had been in the Army 8 years and was fighting in Burma, if people think Universal Credit is unfit for purpose then they would have been mortified at the benefit system 30 years ago.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not quite so easy in Sheffield...but no - he didn’t - he thought that things would be getting back to normal by May...remember that? And he was chasing money he was owed that would see him through.

Don't see why being in Sheffield makes a difference. Surely they have Tesco's and other supermarkets up there and he could have taken work with them. Surely regular income at a time when it was clear performing arts would be one of the first things to go would have been a sensible choice. Also why hasn't he pursued the money earlier and more vehemently if it was a contractually due. I am sure even during furlough there was capability for the owners to make payments via payroll (they must have been paying the furlough salaries)

 

[Lord Tyrion]

So have you reported him?????

Annoying though it is there is no restriction for what you can spend the money on. It could go into the business, pay for a long haul holiday, buy a car. It's up to the business owner what they do with the money. (I'm not justifying this by the way. We got diddly and find it just as frustrating)

 

[chrisd]

Over the years, I have had some great times and also been in some pretty poor situations, but one thing I have ALWAYS done is gone out and worked.
Often this has involved horrible jobs because I think I have an inbuilt sense of pride in earning a living for myself.

Sorry to say this but I keep seeing a recurring topic of this poor, hard done by young man not getting bailed out by benefits because he can't work in the specific job he wants. Life doesn't really work like that for most of us.

Yep, I did my first paper round aged 11 and never had a single day off work unemployed since leaving school

 

[Old Skier]

It appears there is a failing in the university education system

 

[Bunkermagnet]

We might not agree with his take on it, but SILH is just trying to look out for his family. We can't fault him for that, and whether we agree with his thinking on it all at least he is trying to look after his family.

 

[PJ87]

This is not meant as a personal dig, more a reflection on how we as a society have created a situation where we think people under 40 are young, vunerable and in need of nurturing. I accept there are some who have learning difficulties and health issues but when I was 25 I had been married three years, had a child and was serving in the Navy, at 25 my Dad had been in the Army 8 years and was fighting in Burma, if people think Universal Credit is unfit for purpose then they would have been mortified at the benefit system 30 years ago.

Whilst in principle that's correct today's world is rubbish. There aren't jobs for life anymore or careers .. well less and less every day

More and more zero hour jobs, unreliable incomes.. and just more competition for every job out there

I'm lucky to have a job for life role. However many of my friends and family bounce from job to job until they can find something that should sustained them.

 

[Blue in Munich]

We might not agree with his take on it, but SILH is just trying to look out for his family. We can't fault him for that, and whether we agree with his thinking on it all at least he is trying to look after his family.

And there are times when looking after your family involves telling them some hard truths, rather than kissing it better; this appears to be one of them to me.

 

[chellie]

Annoying though it is there is no restriction for what you can spend the money on. It could go into the business, pay for a long haul holiday, buy a car. It's up to the business owner what they do with the money. (I'm not justifying this by the way. We got diddly and find it just as frustrating)

Were they actually giving away so much money though. I don't know of one self employed person who has got loads of ££££. There is so much rubbish being spouted around on the internet.

 

[chellie]

Did he try and get work in Tesco or something to see him through? They were hiring loads at the time could have been helpful

No. A search of other threads will help.