Does anyone agree with me that the HIP grant is all wrong?

[ladykara]

Women years ago managed to survive before these grants were available and they will again.

I personally think the cost of having a baby is cheaper now than back then when i had my son, we have the internet now, primark and pound shops. Finding second hand baby stuff back then was hard, you just had friends and family seconds, now you have ebay, gumtree and many more places to find deals or even free. Even prams are cheaper now.

 

[Saywhat]

i know that people will never turn down "free money" but if your moral compass is telling you that you shouldn't claim it, then i think it is hypocritical to claim it and then slag off the government for wrongly offering you the money.

if you don't think you are entitled to something, then you shouldn't claim. it isn't about changing the world, but i firmly believe that you should live your life by what you believe is right, not put your thoughts aside for personal gratification.

i think if you accept the money then you lose your right to say it is a waste.

i have no issues with the HIP grant, i think it's beneficial to everybody to receive £190 towards the costs of a baby, regardless of their income.

Gaaaahhhhhh! Dig at the moral compass????! Hmm well from my view, at least i have one and actually HAVE thought about the values/consequenses of claiming or not. Hell i haven't even got the money and won't decide what to do with it until i have thought about it fully.

Maybe i SHOULD jump on my high horse here after all and say i worked for charities for YEARS fundraising for them, won awards, and gave thousands of pounds to them from my personal income via direct debits TRUE. Hell maybe i'll give it to Amnesty when the money comes through (or someone worthy who doesn't recieve government funding!), instead of buying shoes and fags and pointless crap with it (which if you have read my original post you would have known was - at the time - a fairly laid back observation)

I know so many wasteful chavs who will abuse it, as well as people LIKE ME who don't need it too much but prob will take it as its there FREE. Which set of people are worse is yours to debate. Means test it or give it in vouchers was my thought as it was for MANY others. Then only the people like the young, vulnerable and those in a tight scrape will qualify. And i think that is great!

The only problem i have on threads like this started with no ill will is rude people. I can agree to disagree till the cows come home - until it turns personal.

Moral compass! Grrr.
P.s. I take real offence to text in bold as i am the complete opposite to that sweeping statement.

 

[Saywhat]

it is studpid saying I don't need it and Im glad its being cut but Ill take it! Thats what I feel contributes to the debt of the country

Its not really stupid? so if 1% of the population decides to take the moral high ground & not take what theyre being offered for free, that will sort out that nations debt??? unfortunately it doesnt work like that hon!!!

The nations debt is helped a lot less by people on benefits who dont need to be!! not by us hard workers who for once in our lives are being offered ( & choose to take ) something for free!!!!!!!!

Maybe baby what on earth? I am the only one out of my working class family to work/not scrounge/go to uni/work for years and pay high taxes/do everything the "right way" work for and give to charity, and you think that by pondering whether to take a free grant that is available to everyone is contributing to the debt of the country?? I am totally missing your point here. I think you need to look at the bigger picture here. Please re read the original post!

 

[Saywhat]

Not read all replies. I never got it because it didn't exist when I was pregnant. And tbh I'm glad it's being scrapped. Most ridiculous waste of money. I would bet that less than 10% of the people that get it actually spend the money on the purpose for which it's intended. And before you all jump on me, I'm a single mum on benefits atm so I'm not being snobby or anything

Yep. Agreed. That is in essence why it should go. That or MEANS TEST IT!
So that people don't get tempted to claim like me LOL

 

[Saywhat]

Hi ya ladies ive just read through these posts & thought id write a quick post too!! ( although im sure my opinion has already been voiced by many!! )

I DO think its a good idea that the HIP is scrapped from next yr, - the government need to make cut backs somewhere & this benefit i doubt will be missed......

Infact Id rather it was scrapped than means tested! It infuriated me the other day reading in the new budget that peoples "housing allowance has been "capped" at £400 per week" how much???????????? £1600 per month on housing??? This is where means testing doesnt work - my OH works 10 hour days to bring home £1600 a month to pay for our £1000 a month mortgage!! we never bedgrudge this & love & are proud of what we have worked hard OURSELVES for however no wonder there are so many spongers out there with hand outs like this- my OH would be better off not working & claiming housing benefit!!! ridiculous!!xx

Im glad I will be able to claim for this benefit in 5 weeks time - like some ladies have already mentioned - ive worked for 10 years since college, long hours, have never claimed any benefits & neither has my OH, so why not take the HIP - i bet my disposable income is a hell of a lot less than those people needlessly on benefits yet people like me are the ones who wouldnt get it if it was yet another means tested benefit!!!!xx grr!!! makes me mad!!x

Again agreed. My chavvy friends who i grew up with on a rough estate and some members of my family have and will openly abuse the system. Then they moan? Wtf? I am glad i escaped that life and path and have on one occasion in my life claimed for when i have needed Everything else has been worked for. Hard. I have come home from work and read all these offensive posts aimed at either my OP or like minded peoples posts about agreeing with it being scapped/limited to the needy but we still get it in the neck if we DARE say we MAY use it. Some of the posters have never worked a day in their lives i'm sure from being on this forum a few months and remembering posts. That i think is a lot worse.

 

[Saywhat]

If you dont need it why take it ?
Just goes to show even the well off wont say no to free money.
Il stand at the wall now.
start shooting.

Good god, thats the point people WILL take it. Its a peice of paper given to everyone unexplained, told to send off. Would you throw £190 in the bin?
MEANS TEST IT !!!!
Then people don't have to think/worry/wobble over moral flipping compasses!!

 

[kglo]

Why means test it, The Sure Start Grant is means tested so people on benefits and lower incomes are entitled to that.

It is nice as a Tax Payer to get alittle back at times.

 

[veganmum2be]

yeah i dont understand why it should be means tested?!

the sure start grant is for people who cant afford baby stuff

and healthy start vouchers exist to aid with healthy eating in pregnancy, for those who need it.

you can get every essential item for a baby for way less than £500.
no, you cant have luxuries with that ammount...but your not meant to because its benefits!

i am on benefits, i have no money spare yes an extra £190 would be a massive help to me, but do i think its necesarry? no! its not. its extra and the country could save a massive ammount.

 

[Jox]

If you dont need it why take it ?
Just goes to show even the well off wont say no to free money.
Il stand at the wall now.
start shooting.

Good god, thats the point people WILL take it. Its a peice of paper given to everyone unexplained, told to send off. Would you throw £190 in the bin?
MEANS TEST IT !!!!
Then people don't have to think/worry/wobble over moral flipping compasses!!

Means test it??? so those who get thousands and thousands of pounds free money can get more??

I guarantee they have more 'spare' money to spend on their babys than I will because I have mortgage, Council tax, Life Ins, Buildings ins etc to pay and what do they pay? Gas and Elec??

I think its about time tax payers got abit back!!!.... My opinion.... those who get sure start grant shouldnt get HIP grant!!!

x

 

[Saywhat]

I've had my tea now and calmed down

I think means testing would simply avoid some of the waste claims like mine. (I'm not rich/will spend it wisely but still think its bizarre) People who are not sure why the hell they are being given it basically. Then vulnerable people can still claim it (stopping all of those arguments) and then the government can save some serious funds.

But i think scrapping is better and is one Tory policy i agree with. You don't miss what you haven't got in my opinion. And a lady pointed out in an earlier post which i agree with is that it is cheaper these days with shops like primark/charity stores/discount supermarkets etc to get real value when shopping for bubs and starting a family.

Babies don't need crazily priced gear whether or not you can afford it. It bugs me man. People who have openly stated on this forum that they are on benefits yet have bought a grand pram(!) Or a nursery set(!) but yet have a dig at people who work and earn well, for daring to considering shock horror accepting a HIP when they don't need it. The mind boggles! I find it shocking. Why not give those benefits back and live within your means if thats the case? Buy a charity shop pram. I saw one for ten quid the other day. And good god i would have bought it if i was on benefits thats for sure.

 

[Saywhat]

If you dont need it why take it ?
Just goes to show even the well off wont say no to free money.
Il stand at the wall now.
start shooting.

Good god, thats the point people WILL take it. Its a peice of paper given to everyone unexplained, told to send off. Would you throw £190 in the bin?
MEANS TEST IT !!!!
Then people don't have to think/worry/wobble over moral flipping compasses!!

Means test it??? so those who get thousands and thousands of pounds free money can get more??

I guarantee they have more 'spare' money to spend on their babys than I will because I have mortgage, Council tax, Life Ins, Buildings ins etc to pay and what do they pay? Gas and Elec??

I think its about time tax payers got abit back!!!.... My opinion.... those who get sure start grant shouldnt get HIP grant!!!

x

Not disputing that if you read through the whole thread and OP. I am totally against scroungers.

 

[aob1013]

I've had my tea now and calmed down

I think means testing would simply avoid some of the waste claims like mine. (I'm not rich/will spend it wisely but still think its bizarre) People who are not sure why the hell they are being given it basically. Then vulnerable people can still claim it (stopping all of those arguments) and then the government can save some serious funds.

But i think scrapping is better and is one Tory policy i agree with. You don't miss what you haven't got in my opinion. And a lady pointed out in an earlier post which i agree with is that it is cheaper these days with shops like primark/charity stores/discount supermarkets etc to get real value when shopping for bubs and starting a family.

Babies don't need crazily priced gear whether or not you can afford it. It bugs me man. People who have openly stated on this forum that they are on benefits yet have bought a grand pram(!) Or a nursery set(!) but yet have a dig at people who work and earn well, for daring to considering shock horror accepting a HIP when they don't need it. The mind boggles! I find it shocking. Why not give those benefits back and live within your means if thats the case? Buy a charity shop pram. I saw one for ten quid the other day. And good god i would have bought it if i was on benefits thats for sure.

If it is your money to spend, i don't see why you can't spend it on what you like? Sure a baby doesn't know what it is dressed in or pushed in but i've bought some pretty expensive stuff for LO .. but it's my money to spend, so i'll spend it on what i want kwim?

At least the HIP grant IS going next April, and they have done something about the SSMG. So whether people agree or not, at least it has gone eh!

 

[Saywhat]

I've had my tea now and calmed down

I think means testing would simply avoid some of the waste claims like mine. (I'm not rich/will spend it wisely but still think its bizarre) People who are not sure why the hell they are being given it basically. Then vulnerable people can still claim it (stopping all of those arguments) and then the government can save some serious funds.

But i think scrapping is better and is one Tory policy i agree with. You don't miss what you haven't got in my opinion. And a lady pointed out in an earlier post which i agree with is that it is cheaper these days with shops like primark/charity stores/discount supermarkets etc to get real value when shopping for bubs and starting a family.

Babies don't need crazily priced gear whether or not you can afford it. It bugs me man. People who have openly stated on this forum that they are on benefits yet have bought a grand pram(!) Or a nursery set(!) but yet have a dig at people who work and earn well, for daring to considering shock horror accepting a HIP when they don't need it. The mind boggles! I find it shocking. Why not give those benefits back and live within your means if thats the case? Buy a charity shop pram. I saw one for ten quid the other day. And good god i would have bought it if i was on benefits thats for sure.

If it is your money to spend, i don't see why you can't spend it on what you like? Sure a baby doesn't know what it is dressed in or pushed in but i've bought some pretty expensive stuff for LO .. but it's my money to spend, so i'll spend it on what i want kwim?

At least the HIP grant IS going next April, and they have done something about the SSMG. So whether people agree or not, at least it has gone eh!

Yeah spend your own money on what you want but its questionable and worth at least questioning the morals of spending benefits and/or the "health" grant on excessive/non nrelated purchases. This thread lol... My head hurts haha. Its been a long day at work

 

[aob1013]

I've had my tea now and calmed down

I think means testing would simply avoid some of the waste claims like mine. (I'm not rich/will spend it wisely but still think its bizarre) People who are not sure why the hell they are being given it basically. Then vulnerable people can still claim it (stopping all of those arguments) and then the government can save some serious funds.

But i think scrapping is better and is one Tory policy i agree with. You don't miss what you haven't got in my opinion. And a lady pointed out in an earlier post which i agree with is that it is cheaper these days with shops like primark/charity stores/discount supermarkets etc to get real value when shopping for bubs and starting a family.

Babies don't need crazily priced gear whether or not you can afford it. It bugs me man. People who have openly stated on this forum that they are on benefits yet have bought a grand pram(!) Or a nursery set(!) but yet have a dig at people who work and earn well, for daring to considering shock horror accepting a HIP when they don't need it. The mind boggles! I find it shocking. Why not give those benefits back and live within your means if thats the case? Buy a charity shop pram. I saw one for ten quid the other day. And good god i would have bought it if i was on benefits thats for sure.

If it is your money to spend, i don't see why you can't spend it on what you like? Sure a baby doesn't know what it is dressed in or pushed in but i've bought some pretty expensive stuff for LO .. but it's my money to spend, so i'll spend it on what i want kwim?

At least the HIP grant IS going next April, and they have done something about the SSMG. So whether people agree or not, at least it has gone eh!

Yeah spend your own money on what you want but its questionable and worth at least questioning the morals of spending benefits and/or the "health" grant on excessive/non nrelated purchases. This thread lol... My head hurts haha. Its been a long day at work

Oh god i couldn't agree more! Spending other peoples money on things you really don't need is what needs to be stopped. It needs to be given in voucher forms! xx

 

[septembermum]

I am nearly 28 weeks and i will not be needing this grant.
I have spent a total of £95 so far all i still need to get is the pram and car seat.
Ebay, car boot sales, gumtree have been were i have purchased most of my items Clothes, Steriliser, cot , blankets and other bits and pieces.
My daughter in law has to have the best of everything for her kids my son works 2 jobs to pay for it.
I have read the what pram forums and i can not beleive people want to spend £500 plus on a pram.
I had the same pram and cot for all 4 of my older children.
Yes i can afford to buy new i just choose not to waste money.

 

[bubbles]

I haven't read through this whole thread because lets be honest it'll be the same as always blah blah so and so deserves it and those over there don't blah blah blah and I really can't be arsed. I am pleased it is being scrapped it is not needed, if you are sensible with your money you can afford everything you need for baby whether you are working full time earning £40-50k or getting IS/JSA.

While I'm here I will say again, HIP grant is not appropriately named. It is a 'reward' persay for seeking medical advice (GP or MW) during pregnancy NOT for vitamins/fruit and veg

 

[aob1013]

I am nearly 28 weeks and i will not be needing this grant.
I have spent a total of £95 so far all i still need to get is the pram and car seat.
Ebay, car boot sales, gumtree have been were i have purchased most of my items Clothes, Steriliser, cot , blankets and other bits and pieces.
My daughter in law has to have the best of everything for her kids my son works 2 jobs to pay for it.
I have read the what pram forums and i can not beleive people want to spend £500 plus on a pram.
I had the same pram and cot for all 4 of my older children.
Yes i can afford to buy new i just choose not to waste money.

I have spent £800+ on my pram .. i wanted to because i worked my arse off for months to pay for it. There's nothing wrong with that, and i'm not wasting my money. I just don't like it when people use other peoples money to pay for expensive things, that they could save on.

 

[septembermum]

I am nearly 28 weeks and i will not be needing this grant.
I have spent a total of £95 so far all i still need to get is the pram and car seat.
Ebay, car boot sales, gumtree have been were i have purchased most of my items Clothes, Steriliser, cot , blankets and other bits and pieces.
My daughter in law has to have the best of everything for her kids my son works 2 jobs to pay for it.
I have read the what pram forums and i can not beleive people want to spend £500 plus on a pram.
I had the same pram and cot for all 4 of my older children.
Yes i can afford to buy new i just choose not to waste money.

I have spent £800+ on my pram .. i wanted to because i worked my arse off for months to pay for it. There's nothing wrong with that, and i'm not wasting my money. I just don't like it when people use other peoples money to pay for expensive things, that they could save on.

I said i wasnt wasting my money.
I dont care what you waste yours on.

 

[xemmax]

i know that people will never turn down "free money" but if your moral compass is telling you that you shouldn't claim it, then i think it is hypocritical to claim it and then slag off the government for wrongly offering you the money.

if you don't think you are entitled to something, then you shouldn't claim. it isn't about changing the world, but i firmly believe that you should live your life by what you believe is right, not put your thoughts aside for personal gratification.

i think if you accept the money then you lose your right to say it is a waste.

i have no issues with the HIP grant, i think it's beneficial to everybody to receive £190 towards the costs of a baby, regardless of their income.

Gaaaahhhhhh! Dig at the moral compass????! Hmm well from my view, at least i have one and actually HAVE thought about the values/consequenses of claiming or not. Hell i haven't even got the money and won't decide what to do with it until i have thought about it fully.

Maybe i SHOULD jump on my high horse here after all and say i worked for charities for YEARS fundraising for them, won awards, and gave thousands of pounds to them from my personal income via direct debits TRUE. Hell maybe i'll give it to Amnesty when the money comes through (or someone worthy who doesn't recieve government funding!), instead of buying shoes and fags and pointless crap with it (which if you have read my original post you would have known was - at the time - a fairly laid back observation)

I know so many wasteful chavs who will abuse it, as well as people LIKE ME who don't need it too much but prob will take it as its there FREE. Which set of people are worse is yours to debate. Means test it or give it in vouchers was my thought as it was for MANY others. Then only the people like the young, vulnerable and those in a tight scrape will qualify. And i think that is great!

The only problem i have on threads like this started with no ill will is rude people. I can agree to disagree till the cows come home - until it turns personal.

Moral compass! Grrr.
P.s. I take real offence to text in bold as i am the complete opposite to that sweeping statement.

wow, i'm sorry that you have taken such offence at my comment. it wasn't intended to start an argument.

however, that is my basic view. perhaps generalised but certainly not intended to make you feel that you have to prove anything with regards to your charity work etc.

my view is pretty simple i think - if you don't think you deserve something, don't accept it. it's not because i haven't "considered" the effect of the grant, but because i don't believe it to be a huge strain on government spending when compared to other sectors which require vast improvement. the grant is just a drop in the ocean in my opinion, but one which is easy to scrap, hence it has been.

my view is just that people should act on what they say, not sit there saying something is wrong but accepting it regardless. surely if you think something is wrong, you should "do your bit" to bypass it alongside convincing others?

 

[aob1013]

I am nearly 28 weeks and i will not be needing this grant.
I have spent a total of £95 so far all i still need to get is the pram and car seat.
Ebay, car boot sales, gumtree have been were i have purchased most of my items Clothes, Steriliser, cot , blankets and other bits and pieces.
My daughter in law has to have the best of everything for her kids my son works 2 jobs to pay for it.
I have read the what pram forums and i can not beleive people want to spend £500 plus on a pram.
I had the same pram and cot for all 4 of my older children.
Yes i can afford to buy new i just choose not to waste money.

I have spent £800+ on my pram .. i wanted to because i worked my arse off for months to pay for it. There's nothing wrong with that, and i'm not wasting my money. I just don't like it when people use other peoples money to pay for expensive things, that they could save on.

I said i wasnt wasting my money.
I dont care what you waste yours on.

Theres no need to be rude