The scandal of benefits

[vehelpfulguy]

Its only when you see a case like this you realise the scandal of benefits in this country.

I am not talking about the benefit fraud, that is a different matter, but the scale of benefits this woman was getting.

Over 5 years she got �46,621 housing benefit, �3,379 council tax benefit, and �21,319 income support. That is over �70,000 in five years.

AND her husband was working !

It makes me so angry that many people go out work and earn fairly small salaries on which they pay tax, and this woman is given �70,000 over 5 years.

No wonder so many people chose to live on benefits when you can get so much money so easily.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7323047.stm

[bednobs]

didnt her husband pay tax then?

[Richard1966]

I'm not condoning fraud. Its wrong, but. You try living on �14k per year. Thats what your 70 grand equates to. Benefits in the UK are a pittance.

[~max~]

I live on 14K a year....

[gonzo00]

sorry richard,but most of the single WORKING folk (not receiveing benefits) are surviving on around 14k a year....benefits should be a lot less,then maybe some of the workshy scroungers would get off thier asses and look for work.

[~max~]

I live on 14K a year, before tax....

[Ice.Maiden]

They are, Richard. I wouldn't know how to claim these type of benefits even if I needed to, but I know people who do - and these people, for various reasons, are genuinely in need of them. �21,319 in Income Support over 5 years, breaks down into very little p.a., and out of this, people still have to find money for water rates, gas & electricity, TV licences etc. - as well as the money for clothes, food, transport charges and so on.
We pay huge taxes, but I'd rather our money go towards helping some of these poor people, than it be spent on ministers' holidays and "expenses".

[weeal]

but did she have to work her butt off every week for that amount, many folk do

[urbanspace]

i am on benifits i get 30.25p a week incapacity benifit because i have worked all my life and paid into a pension scheme.i WISH i could get 14,000. a year,that story is about one couple that milked the system.the dreamers on this site are in for a shock if they fall ill. on incapacity benifit you have to pay for all your own medicine.I LIVE ON A LOT LESS.so dream on dreamers..i hope you never get ill...

[Ethel]

Urbanspace - if you are on a low income you can get help with your prescription costs, provided you haven't got much savings.

Certain illnesses entitle you to free prescriptions for everything too.

[simonruss]

if you pretend not to speak english they give you even more!!!!!

[Ice.Maiden]

This is the type of thing I meant, us.

The media does a grand job of portraying all people on benefits as scroungers in "designer gear" - which isn't the case at all. I see some of these poorer people every day, and my heart goes out to them.
Of course there'll always be the ones who're too lazy or too crooked to get a proper job, but then they've always existed. If people want to moan about the scroungers, then they have every right to pack in their jobs and try living on these "vast amounts" for a year or so.

[urbanspace]

ethel , i have no savings and i am in debt , when you receive a small pension it is classed as income and they dont want to know .i am only online because i have a contract ,soon this will end so i can get rid of my computer.i will repeat when some of these on ab become ill and they try to claim they are in for one big shock.

[urbanspace]

ice maiden, the one who posted this wants to come and live in my house over the cold spell.rains in the front and rains in the back ( buckets on floor to catch rain water). i now have a mobile gas heater to help keep the house warm. don't let the dreamers on here change your views.

[Ice.Maiden]

There are a lot of people in your position urbanspace, but you must feel very isolated with these worries sometimes. Even with a small pension, if you're in rented accomodation, you can sometimes get a rebate on rent and/or Council Tax, and any firms which you owe money to would usually be prepared to reduce your payments if you write to them and explain your circumstances. Some debts can ever be written off completely, so the CAB might be able to steer you in the right direction there. As you say, it's not funny at all. I don't know how anybody manages to live on the pittance of benefits, and contrary to what people try and say, the majority DO struggle.

[annie0000]

Anyone who thinks �14k is a pittance should check out the salary of an Ambulance technician sometime. That is meant to be a living wage.

I would agree that for the honest deserving individuals, living on benefits gives a very poor income - as a country we would be able to provide more adequately for those who are genuinely unable to provide for themselves and pensioners who have earned a decent retirement if those who are able to work would get off their backsides and work for a living.

I am personally sick fed up paying for layabouts to sit about and casue social problems while there are jobs available for those willing to work. They then have the temerity to complain about the amount of eastern europeans over here, however as far as I can see, they have come here and are prepared to work and good luck to them - These jobs that they are doing weren't created for them coming, they have always been there, but the 3rd generation jobless are too cosy on their fiddled benefits to go out and get a job.

Rant over.

[weeal]

but �14k is a pittance if you live alone and have to pay for everyting
what kind of property could you purchase for yourself earning so low an income?
its hard

[snow.maiden]

urbanspace - sorry - I gave several more replies earlier, but the usual name's disappeared - again. Suffice it to say, I agree with you, and it must be awful for you.

[sandbach99]

Urbanspace Are you entitled to Disabled Living Allowance? It is awarded if you are considered to be unable to do normal household tasks like cooking a meal or care for yourself. Or Mobility Allowance if you have difficulty in walking. Having a pension makes no difference.

Ring 0800882200 Freephone they will advise you if you can get anymore help.

Sorry I Hijacked the question

[annie0000]

i agree entirely with you weeal, however, there are people that are meant to raise a family on it whilst still working a full week. is it any wonder that both parents need to be working nowadays?

It saddens me so much that there are geniune people out there who need the help and support from society that they are not able to get because people don't want to pay anymore tax. Some just because of greed, and others who feel that they don't want to pay more when they see what they do pay getting wasted or abused. I am all for making benefits much tougher to get but making them at a level where people can have a decent life.