Sky TV when claiming benefit?

Yes Phoenix it's an annual contract that would have to be fulfilled, so could not be classed as a luxury.At least, ours is !

Sky is a luxury because there are cheaper multi or subscription channels a-plenty nowadays e.g. Netflix is under £10 a month.

Thanks roses, I did wonder. Would they not allow you to opt out if circumstances changed? Just think that if someone was really struggling, the money spent on Sky could be better used.

Phoenix, i am only guessing, having no real knowledge of this, but if the answer was 'yes', perhaps they would then want to know if the subscription was still with the contract period. If it was, the claimant would not be able to opt out without a financial penalty, so maybe that enters into the calculation?

It's part of outgoings for a family isn't it? As such, has to be paid, although Sky may choose to let a person pay smaller amounts until it's paid.equally, maybe they wouldn't! Utilities would do, but when applying for benefits all outgoings are probably taken into consideration.

Does it say tv subscriptions or Sky subscriptions ?

They just want a list of your income and expenditure.

If you're entitled to benefits, they can't tell you how to spend the money (think of how many smoke and have pets - and that's not being judgemental, just an observation).

I've just looked this up, and every council has its own form. Not one of them so far said Sky subscription, and I've checked half a dozen.
So where did you get this information from, Phoenix?

I think it's wrong that folks on benefits have sky and phones and many of them smoke and drink too ..most of us in work have to choose which we want ...if any...
sky prices are ridiculously high how can they moan that they can't afford to eat but have high price tv packages.
Ok they might be tied into a 12 month contract but how many give it up at the end of that contract so they can spend that money on more important things.

Not allowed phones now?

If you suddenly lose your job,contracts still have to be paid for, at least until the end of the contract, it would be unfair not to take Sky or phone contracts into consideration as outgoings nanabilly

Many people are not on benefits from choice. Redundancy, illness, divorce or bereavement can hit anyone. It's a bleak world if they are allowed no pleasures just because of their circumstances. I'm not advocating a life of luxury and I do get annoyed by the ones who continue to produce children every year, but some semblance of normal life seems reasonable to me.

I should qualify my comment - it want made in relation to claiming benefits. Just that I consider it a luxury, because it doesn't come cheap.

Wasn't not want.

Apologies, (esp. to DJ) I was getting confuddled between the forms filled in to claim benefits, and those relating to payment arrangements for debt.

However, I do think that when applying for some benefits, if you are paying rent, it is taken into account, but it is a different thing with a mortgage.

Which benefits are the ones that have this on the form?
This is the Pension Credit one and it isn't on there.

Thanks, phoenix. It was interesting finding out, anyway. A couple of the councils that I looked at wouldn't let you find out until you'd filled in your name and address! So I didn't.

Attendance Allowance form

Not on this one either.

Could it be an urban myth?

If it is a contract the family would have to finish paying it, before going on to something like Freeview that does not cost, I think it is reasonable that benefits should take that into consideration.

Time these people who have to rely on benefits learned their place , a mobile phone? a tv subscription? Good grief do they think they have a right such extravagance , do they not realise they have no right to what the more affluent consider extravagant luxuries

Sorry phoenix has started on my bit of research before I read your post.

Ana - I didn't read your post as being in the least bit judgemental - just the opposite.

Deedaa as someone who unexpectedly was on benefits following redundancy, and who also know of a family with 7 children, where the husband hasn't worked since the age of 19, due to "health problems" I agree with you, to an extent.

However, having gone round the supermarket with a calculator to check if we could actually afford a small jar of coffee, when we had a ridiculously small amount of benefit to live on (if anyone wants umpteen recipes for chicken thighs, £2.49 for 12 from Lidl, I'm your girl, or how to get God knows how many meals from a pound of mince, and my "random vegetable soup" is legendary)

Yes, some semblance of normal life is reasonable, unfortunately the time we had to spend on benefit had no semblance of normal life, and nearly cost us our home, as mortgage payments are not taken into consideration.

Do you not still have your mortgage interest payments paid?
I know you used to.