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

[stacey01]

at the end of the day its stopping in april so who cares!

its not worth stressing over, just enjoy it if you do send off for it

 

[mayb_baby]

I think this threads turned nasty, OP didn't want this but it has and I agree with the above!

Not reporting, not returning

 

[KittyVentura]

Hmmm this is a tough one.

My OH and I earn £70k between us. Ordinarily we wouldn't need any help or benefits. Baby was a surprise for us and came as a time when we didn't live together etc. We've had a house move at 20 weeks (first time buyers too so needs complete furnishing and a lot of work done) and a wedding at 26 weeks (nearly... it's actually today). As a result, even though we earn a good wage, we're really struggling money wise and so the HIP grant is actually very very useful to us and a massive help. So I can't blast it too much.

I do agree though that it is generally not used for pregnancy health and should be means tested and/or in the way of vouchers for health related items xx

 

[jenniferannex]

its a shame really cos nearly all threads on this forum that lead to debates all turn nasty.

comments turn rude and people get offended!

we should all learn how to play nice

 

[ttc_lolly]

Hmmm this is a tough one.

My OH and I earn £70k between us. Ordinarily we wouldn't need any help or benefits. Baby was a surprise for us and came as a time when we didn't live together etc. We've had a house move at 20 weeks (first time buyers too so needs complete furnishing and a lot of work done) and a wedding at 26 weeks (nearly... it's actually today). As a result, even though we earn a good wage, we're really struggling money wise and so the HIP grant is actually very very useful to us and a massive help. So I can't blast it too much.

I do agree though that it is generally not used for pregnancy health and should be means tested and/or in the way of vouchers for health related items xx

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEDDING

I love it that it's the morning of ur wedding day, yet u have found time to come on to BnB for a catchup exactly what I'd do!! x

 

[upsybetsy]

I did think the HIP was a stupid idea - yet more of the Labour government throwing money away.

I'm a SAHM at the mo (self-employed in a small way from home), but we don't qualify for anything other than the universal Child Benefit as Hubby earns 50k+.

I think it's a waste, but I wouldn't be in my right mind if I didn't take £190 that is offered to me. Who would? The way I look at it is I've paid my dues for many years, and hubby pays a lot in tax so it's nice to get a bit of a rebate now and again. If that makes me a hypocrite, then so be it!

I can understand why people make a song and dance about only those in need getting "benefits", but where to they think money comes from? People who are paid benefits long term are living and spending other people's hard earned money and should be thankful they live in a country where that is possible - AND in some countries "benefits" are "loans" you have to pay back once you're back on your feet.

I think it's society's duty, obviously, to help out those unable to work due to ill health/disability AND to help out those who suddenly find themselves in dire straits, but I have a big problem when people who could work depend on benefits long term.

I think the problem is the notion that people are somehow "entitled" to receive money (benefits) from the goverment. It is not the government's money it is OUR money - money that other people have earned, and damn right I'll have a bit of it back! Call me selfish, but I'd have even more of MY money back (through reduced taxes?) if I was able to!

 

[ttc_lolly]

I did think the HIP was a stupid idea - yet more of the Labour government throwing money away.

I'm a SAHM at the mo (self-employed in a small way from home), but we don't qualify for anything other than the universal Child Benefit as Hubby earns 50k+.

I think it's a waste, but I wouldn't be in my right mind if I didn't take £190 that is offered to me. Who would? The way I look at it is I've paid my dues for many years, and hubby pays a lot in tax so it's nice to get a bit of a rebate now and again. If that makes me a hypocrite, then so be it!

I can understand why people make a song and dance about only those in need getting "benefits", but where to they think money comes from? People who are paid benefits long term are living and spending other people's hard earned money and should be thankful they live in a country where that is possible - AND in some countries "benefits" are "loans" you have to pay back once you're back on your feet.

I think it's society's duty, obviously, to help out those unable to work due to ill health/disability AND to help out those who suddenly find themselves in dire straits, but I have a big problem when people who could work depend on benefits long term.

I think the problem is the notion that people are somehow "entitled" to receive money (benefits) from the goverment. It is not the government's money it is OUR money - money that other people have earned, and damn right I'll have a bit of it back! Call me selfish, but I'd have even more of MY money back (through reduced taxes?) if I was able to!

Well said couldn't of put it better myself x

 

[ajj]

I am on benefits although I don't like being so, but due to my hubby being unwell I am main carer of him and my other two children, People think that people on benefits are rolling in it, well I can say that we just about manage to survive.

I think that the HIP is helpful although some people don't need it and do just waste it on non baby related items. So I would say I don't agree with it being scrapped, but I do agree that it could be given in vouchers and to people that earn under a certain amount.

 

[mumtobrandon]

I will be using the money to buy bottles, clothes and other baby related stuff. I can't understand why people would use it to buy anything else!
I believe if i was means tested we would be very entitled as I can't work due to disability and we struggle to get by on just hubby's wages. I can't even afford to buy bigger clothes right now or treat my son so this grant means he wont have to go without quite so much.

 

[Sharl]

Saywhat,

I agree with you to a certain degree however,

Both my husband and I have worked since leaving school and have at no point been out of work within that time.

We have stood back and watched helplessly as our taxes are used to subsidise the pregnancy and subsequent children of people who, (and i know this bit is controversial) point blankly refuse to find a job and think that the world owes them a living. Yes I know that there are people out there that work hard to support their family, But I am sure we all know someone who is tanking the P***.

Gary and I have been trying for a child since before these benefits were actually introduced.

All of the time we have disagreed with these payments and always said that we wouldn't apply should we be lucky enough to eventually become pregnant.

Well here we are 15 weeks pregnant.

After the last government who seemed to think it was a good idea to continue to punish those of us that do work hard for everything that we have in life .... I sat back and though sod it I am having absolutely everything I am entitled to!

Like I say I agree that they the HIP should be scrapped and also the child trust fund but I will continue to claim everything that I am entitled to until the bitter end.

 

[mayb_baby]

why not the happy end?

 

[Saywhat]

I think i overreacted to posts yesterday as i read them in a bad mood all in one go lol.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion so now that i'm feeling more balanced maybe the posts haven't been too bad.

However i do agree that us bnb girls need to play nice when discussing views on money/politics/parenting choices inparticular. I like a debate just a friendly one

I will let you know if i spend this HIP after all

 

[ttc_lolly]

I think i overreacted to posts yesterday as i read them in a bad mood all in one go lol.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion so now that i'm feeling more balanced maybe the posts haven't been too bad.

However i do agree that us bnb girls need to play nice when discussing views on money/politics/parenting choices inparticular. I like a debate just a friendly one

I will let you know if i spend this HIP after all

4D SCAN!!! 4D SCAN!!! 4D SCAN!!!

 

[jules_7k]

feel like im a bit late to join in on this one lol, im grateful for this hip grant and although i wont be spending it on fruit and veg i will be spending it on the baby and to be honest all the ppl i knw who are preg and getting it are buying baby bits with it. its one of those things if its there and you could do with that lil bit extra then why not??? u manange with what you have and if it wasnt there for the taking then i think people would still manage to get all the essentials they need for baby!!

 

[angelic_one]

It should be vouchers instead of a lump sum.

Personally, I need it for food and I need it to survive.

I'm on a low income, 2 grand a year, but because I don't tick the boxes, I don't get help. This is all I get. So I'm sooo glad that I get it because it means I can afford to eat! Let alone eat healthy!

But I agree that in 99% it is a waste of money.

 

[Ju_bubbs]

Hmm, since its been bought back up and im now further along in my pregnancy Ive completely changed my opinion on all the prenancy grants! I thought I'd eally NEED this, and the sure start grant, but.. even tho I'm a single mother who's OH walked out and left me on benefits i've managed to get pretty much absolutely eveything I need already with careful budgeting, and even some nice extras like a swing etc!

All I need to get is a cot, and I have plenty of time to save up for it since LO wont even be needing one straight away!

 

[dollyminxture]

VOUCHERS!!! thats what it shud be given in and means tested. that way it wud be spent in the right areas not goin out and splashing out on havin nights out basically just blowing it. maternity clothes would be really useful round that time of ya pregnancy....bit late tryin to eat healthy at 25wks FFS baby has already developed. shud have been given milk.fruit coupons in the 1st tri. which they do but not for everyone!

Mine will defo help get a nice decent maternity bra for a start and maybe some clothes that fit, and a pregnancy pillow I agree it shouldnt be given so that people can spend it on stupid things, but also believe that it will come in helpful, and will pay for some of all that extra food i've been eating lately too Totally agree that its a bit late to start eating healthier too

 

[EmzyJA]

i'm opening a saving account for my little one and i'm putting the money in there for them. i dont need it myself, we've got enough money to get everything for LO.

i do think there should be a threshold for it though as people like me are getting money from the governement that they dont need and it could be put towards more worthwhile things x

 

[donna-c-86]

i think its a good idea but it should have been given to low income families only. i know its supposed to be for healthy food and stuff i will be using mine for baby stuff and will def be sending off 4 mine as soon as i can =)

 

[trumpetbum]

I recently had a wee look at the introduction of the HIP grant and realised that it's basically a bribe to ensure people are recieving some antenatal care and advice. So I suppose you could say that when a person gets their HIP grant the point of it has already been achieved and it matters not a jot what it is spent on.
I was happy to recieve it, but like all govt money it does have to be asked in the current climate whether it is money well spent.
Although regardless of whether we think it's a good thing, it will soon be gone.