How Can Some Be So Well Off On Benefits?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2246104/Unemployed-single-mother-benefits-spends-2-000-Christmas-20-presents-children.html

We constantly hear tales of 'Child poverty' where Mothers go without so as to feed their children, we also hear of pensioners who have to go to bed early because they can't afford to heat their homes.

I even heard on the radio last night a pathetic case of an Invalid old lady who now cannot afford her fuel bills, and that she is going to phone her energy supplier today and ask them to cut her off, and she will then light her house with candles, the only problem being that she will not be able to charge her wheel chair.

[sp1814]

pdq1

You've summed up what I think about this story perfectly.

She comes across as being a bit smug...but I'll be honest, I would like to hire her to do my tax returns. She seems a damn sight more clued up about finance than me.

[emmie]

perhaps the crux of the matter is that she has never worked, so has never contributed a penny. She may be savvy with money, and gets benefits as befitting a single mother with two children, but what about the father in all this, does he not contribute at all. Perhaps some see it as a non story, perhaps some see it as what is wrong with our society, getting something for nothing.

[furrypusscat]

This is where the system is completely wrong. Instead of sorting this out the government take the easy route and target the genuinely ill and disabled who have more than likely paid into the system for many years.

[emmie]

absolutely agree ^^

[ummmm]

Em...according to the link Mamy posted her parents and the children's father chip in.

[Mamyalynne]

NOX made a very good point too on page one - some are far better amangers than others too. Plus the help from family makes all the difference.

[ummmm]

Everyone on benefits could afford a holiday if the parents pay for it.

[Mamyalynne]

True.

[emmie]

when i read this article i did not see anywhere that the boyfriend contributed, his children too so if not, why not.

[ummmm]

My parents weren't well off so my grandad bought all the essentials we needed, which meant we had the best of what was available.

I think the parents and father are chipping in more than she's saying.

[emmie]

don't you think this is what is wrong, it encourages people not to work, have kids then you will like as not get some place to live, i wonder what all those people think who survive on the amount she gets in benefits by actually working, it must be galling.

[emmie]

perhaps, but the article in today's paper makes no mention of that at all.

[anotheoldgit]

Perhaps in some cases it would be better for those with family backing to revert back to pre state benefit days when families took care of their own.

If a daughter got 'into trouble' (as they called getting pregnant in those days), she wasn't given a house and cash payouts, her parents took care of her and her child.

[B00]

"If a daughter got 'into trouble' (as they called getting pregnant in those days), she wasn't given a house and cash payouts, her parents took care of her and her child. "

If her parents are on benefits as well it doesn't really help the situation though.

[friedgreentomato]

//If a daughter got 'into trouble' (as they called getting pregnant in those days), she wasn't given a house and cash payouts, her parents took care of her and her child. //

I thought the girl was sent away in shame to have the child in secret and then the child was given away!!!

[ummmm]

Yes, that's exactly what they did, AOG. They also sent them away and took their babies off them..!

[ummmm]

Em...read Mamy's link.

[sandyRoe]

Tha happened sometimes. The child might be brought up by its grandparents thinking its mother was its sister.
But I think I remember reading somewhere that one of the chief causes of women going into prostitution in the past was the fact they had an illegitimate child and couldn't see any other.

[emmie]

i did read the story, almost identical to yesterdays mail. One little snippet.

But Leanna admits this will probably be her last Christmas blowout due to government plans to cut benefits. She says: “I don’t know what I’ll lose, but I might not be able to save any more. I might have to work, but I don’t want to settle for any job – I want a career where I’ll earn enough to maintain this lifestyle.”

She adds: “I’m not against the cuts, but only if the government helps me find a job and gives me training. In the meantime, I’ll stay on benefits and get as much as I can out of it. This Christmas is going to be great!”