Should People On Benefits Do The Lottery?

[sunny-dave]

An interesting/depressing (choose your own adjective) story here

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1467233.html

leads me to a more general question :

Why should anyone on benefits bother with the lottery?

Presumably very small wins (perhaps up to £100?) would be ignored, but after that it appears that your benefits would be reduced/stopped until your winnings are deemed to be used up? Then you'd have the pain of making a new claim and starting again.

Note that I said 'deemed to be' - blowing the lot very quickly would seem not to be an option.

As Ellipsis said on the other thread - "They had a nice life, supported by benefits. Then they were unlucky enough to win the lottery. As a result, it's all gone pear-shaped for them - they would have been better off not winning!"

So should they be told "don't bother playing"?

[ perhaps we can stick to general points here - the specific case is still being discussed on the thread linked above ]

[Copacetic]

Are we including low paid workers Claiming Tax Credits? Pension Credits which are classed as Benefits and Disabled Benefits?

[sunny-dave]

I guess that any benefit which is means tested would be affected?

[-Talbot-]

You could have thanked me for the thread idea, sunny.

[sunny-dave]

It just seems almost fraudulent that people aren't clearly told that "The State" will claw back (or at least not pay out in future) a significant portion of your win, if you are receiving benefits?

[jomifl]

A neighbour of mine had her benefits stopped when she got compensation for having her hip broken when as a lollipop lady she was hit by a car.

[ummmm]

I assume they are hoping for the millions rather than the thousands.

[sunny-dave]

" I would like to thank Mr Tablet for his idea - he made me what I am today "

[-Talbot-]

awwwww shucks!

[B00]

"" I would like to thank Mr Tablet for his idea - he made me what I am today "

Ya poor beggar ;-)

[-Talbot-]

answer-removed

[ummmm]

Jom - I don't agree with that. I don't think compensation should effect benefits. I was knocked over and I suffered for years. If I were on benefits at the time my compensation for the pain I was suffering wouldn't be compensation...it would be instead of benefits.

[sunny-dave]

That may be the ultimate dream, ummmm, but actually that's not what they really think is possible ...

"I'd like a nice win of a few thousand - to go on holiday, treat the kids, buy some stuff"

... is a more common reply when people are asked.

[jno]

like ummmm says, nobody buys a ticket in hopes of winning a tenner, they're hoping for the jackpot. When you enter the Lotto you're consigning yourself to whatever fate provides.

[-Talbot-]

Why do people buy scratchcards with a top prize of 20 grand then?

I bet not many people think about what happends if you are on benefits and win 20 grand.

[B00]

How would the benefits office find out if you'd won a large amount? I'm sure you're morally bound to tell them and can't begin to imagine the sanctions of you dont- but if you don't tell 'em....?

[ummmm]

B00...if you bank anything over a certain amount (I think it used to be 5k) HMRC are informed.

[-Talbot-]

dunno, B00. Maybe big-ish winners have to be questioned under a bright light as to their status?

[-Talbot-]

ummmm
B00...if you bank anything over a certain amount (I think it used to be 5k) HMRC are informed.


That can't be true ... can it?

[New Judge]

The question that should really be asked is should people on benefits be provided with so much money that they are able to do the lottery?

Why should taxpayers provide money for other people to gamble? Payments should only be made to cover rent, energy, wtaer food and (non-alcoholic) drink (my list is not exhaustive, but you get the idea).

Why should taxpayers provide money for other people to gamble?

[sunny-dave]

I also think you possibly underestimate the propensity of neighbours to "dob you in", if your lifestyle changes too much?