tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post5684269718822887702..comments2023-11-25T01:12:34.326+00:00Comments on Benefit Scrounging Scum: No special treatment - The Practical ResponseBenefitScroungingScumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08939136229593231935noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-6491817415920618642008-05-14T09:28:00.000+01:002008-05-14T09:28:00.000+01:00A big thanks for explaining it so well. The motabi...A big thanks for explaining it so well. The motability car bit - I had an argument with my mother who is of the thinking that we disabled are 'given' a car and we also get the money every month.<BR/>Like you, my hubby and I (I'm on dla, he is on incapacity but although really suffers from ill health, he isn't suffering enough to claim dla) have to use my dla to keep the house going. Our housing benefit doesn't cover all the rent (private, not through choice) because we need two bedrooms (although can we get through to the council that we do? Course not!). So, a large portion of dla pays that, the rest of our money keeps us going... nothing fancy but at least we manage.<BR/>I'm fighting at the moment to get my care rate reinstated to the high rate, already had to do battle to get it all reinstated as for some reason at first renewal they said 'No'. However, a CAB lawyer has helped but like I say, still fighting.<BR/>Both me and hubby worked all our lives from leaving school at 15, neither of us woke up one morning and decided we would be disabled. It's my spine that has done the dirty on me, forcing me to live a totally different lifestyle to what I did and forcing me to claim benefits.<BR/>I hate it but as I have other disabilities too - sensory and mentally - there's nothing but 'no, no no' from any prospective employers.<BR/>It's no life is it, on the 'pension'? Makes my blood boil when I see newspaper articles saying so-so gets {enter huge amount} and still plays golf, goes on holiday etc etc...<BR/>Thank again, it does help somewhat knowing other people are in the same boat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-65389537262721290582008-04-04T11:45:00.000+01:002008-04-04T11:45:00.000+01:00Hi Roland, Out of curiousity how much had you thou...Hi Roland, <BR/>Out of curiousity how much had you thought I receive in benefits? <BR/><BR/>As to how I survive, well it's not easy. Day to day is ok, but if anything unplanned crops up it's a major problem. I'm much better off than someone on Incapacity Benefit though as they get taxed on that and have to pay the majority of their council tax. <BR/>BGBenefitScroungingScumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08939136229593231935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-37210912078606842672008-04-03T18:15:00.000+01:002008-04-03T18:15:00.000+01:00Hey, Bendy Girl!I must have miscalculated, or been...Hey, Bendy Girl!<BR/><BR/>I must have miscalculated, or been reading the wrong benefit amounts. I earned more than that, so can hardly imagine how you survive!Roland Hulmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08979437320446956987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-63407247617836204632008-04-02T19:41:00.000+01:002008-04-02T19:41:00.000+01:00Hi Roland, thanks for your comment. Whilst I quite...Hi Roland, thanks for your comment. Whilst I quite agree that the government is taxing the wrong people, I'm a little muddled by how you could bring home £500 less a month working full time than I receive in benefits? Being very approximate with the figures (and including non cash benefits) that would have to mean you were only earning about £500 -700 a month. Before tax?<BR/>In my planned career I would've been earning a minimum of £35k (outside of London) by now, and probably considerably more.<BR/><BR/>I'm not surprised to hear you and your wife left the UK, the cost of living is astronomical now. <BR/><BR/>I don't think the reason that people refer to those on benefits as scrounging scum is to do with the government taxing the wrong people though. I firmly believe it is far more to do with the popular image of those on benefits all being too lazy to work and so scrounging off those who do and high profile cases like Lizzie Bardsley illustrate that well. <BR/>Bendy GirlBenefitScroungingScumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08939136229593231935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-83816780054026817302008-04-02T17:10:00.000+01:002008-04-02T17:10:00.000+01:00hi BSS!I just wanted to say what a fascinating blo...hi BSS!<BR/><BR/>I just wanted to say what a fascinating blog you have - this post in particular.<BR/><BR/>I've recently written about a disabled lady in America who was being sued by Wal Mart for the medical costs incurred by her when she was under their health insurance scheme. It was shocking - and definitely illustrates that there is more of a 'safety net' for disabled people in England than America.<BR/><BR/>I was interested by you writing this, though:<BR/><BR/>"I didn't go to university to then decide that being on benefits would bring in a far better living than I could ever earn for myself."<BR/><BR/>It's interesting because while I was living in England, finally working a reasonably paid middle-class job in the field I'd studied at university, I ended up bringing in £500 a month LESS than you receive in benefits.<BR/><BR/>I'm not implying anything or suggesting I'm resentful of that. Your disability doesn't just mean you can't get a job and work properly, it also means the most basic things (like stairs) are a trial for you, so I totally support you receiving benefits.<BR/><BR/>I just found the calculation interesting - because the reason my wife and I left the UK is because we couldn't make ends meet. After tax, rent etc (even living frugally, never going out on a Friday night, going on holiday etc) we ended up earning £100 less than went out in bills each month.<BR/><BR/>The reason people call those on benefits 'scrounging scum' is because the government's paying for those benefits by taxing the wrong people.Roland Hulmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08979437320446956987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-24369358231087477562008-03-15T08:58:00.000+00:002008-03-15T08:58:00.000+00:00great post bendy... I don't like to mention that w...great post bendy... I don't like to mention that we are 'on the pension' either.. <BR/> when I mentioned to a good friend about the possibility of losing our bonus this year. Her response was sympathetic but she also said well . It will be worse for those with proper disabilities..<BR/>and this is Because the spouse doesn't look ill and because he is a very proud and determined man.. *sigh*<BR/><BR/>oh btw I have an award for you..<BR/><BR/>(((hugs))) kim xxxfrog ponds rock...https://www.blogger.com/profile/06993183713914418876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-54611440031313826752008-03-14T20:02:00.000+00:002008-03-14T20:02:00.000+00:00Dearest Bendy. I feel so badly for you. My wife ...Dearest Bendy. I feel so badly for you. My wife has ED, although hers has not progressed to the point I'm beginning to understand yours is at. But let me tell you, the attitude of 'How hard can it be' isn't exclusively British. We get it all the time here, as well. And the looks when she parks her car in the 'Handicap Spot' - like why aren't you in a wheel chair - you don't deserve that Placard, you're obviously faking something or other. People can kiss my ass.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13024392628362568010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-55644743307227872852008-03-14T18:59:00.000+00:002008-03-14T18:59:00.000+00:00What a brilliant post. One of the main stumbling ...What a brilliant post. One of the main stumbling blocks for politicians is that they take a populist view on these things. Its much easier for them to claim that huge amounts of people are claiming disability benefits because they know their way round the system, than to actually do more for those in genuine need.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps if more of them from across the political spectrum met people like you BG, then society as a whole would be better for it. <BR/><BR/>JimJimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03092264892200529590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-73836449459661137182008-03-14T12:26:00.000+00:002008-03-14T12:26:00.000+00:00Hello bendy girl. Thanks for your comment on my pa...Hello bendy girl. Thanks for your comment on my page. I stumbled across your blog a few weeks ago and was pleased to be able to read about the real situations of people who most politicians handily throw into one of two boxes- the worthy and the not worthy. Most of the media has shied away from covering these issues in any real depth beyond the political, which is what makes your blog so interesting. I hope many more people become aware of it.AdamBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04630747163413813070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-28173017024134460722008-03-14T12:19:00.000+00:002008-03-14T12:19:00.000+00:00That explains your position with great clarity and...That explains your position with great clarity and I'm sorry to hear it. <BR/><BR/>I read your comment on Casdok's blog and I agree - any one can be different, can be severely unlucky in life, or can simply choose to be different. People should not sit in judgement but seek to understand each other.merry weatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15790847146645006254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-575231402110411052008-03-14T09:22:00.000+00:002008-03-14T09:22:00.000+00:00What a brilliant exposition! Many thanks. I am a...What a brilliant exposition! Many thanks. I am an OAP receiving state pension. In addition I qualify for mobility allowance at the higher rate and currently use it to get a lease car from Motability - it has made such a difference to my life.<BR/><BR/>Not sure what I'll do when it is due to be renewed, I might go for a powered wheel chair.<BR/><BR/>I also get the personal care allowance at the middle rate and use it to pay for the things I cannot do myself, the house cleaning weekly, the factoring charge for the sheltered accomodation I am in and the delivery charge from Big Store.<BR/><BR/>I think this is all good use of the money. Sadly as soon as you say NHS pension (small) you talk yourself out of any means tested allowance!Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06847149482684623481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-68889339308799223232008-03-14T09:12:00.000+00:002008-03-14T09:12:00.000+00:00And yet Mr Freud felt he could learn everything th...And yet Mr Freud felt he could learn everything there was to know about the welfare system within three weeks.<BR/><BR/>*sigh*Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11639094548415759560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-32761687737334479282008-03-14T04:56:00.000+00:002008-03-14T04:56:00.000+00:00This is, by far, the most coherent "rant" I have e...This is, by far, the most coherent "rant" I have ever read...the fact it took as long as it did to write is not just a tribute to you personally, but an indictment upon a society which tolerates such governmental abuse...<BR/><BR/>You know Bendy, I (to my horror) find myself becoming something of a reactionary as I grow older, and you're helping me maintain a sense of proportion...thanks!cogidubnushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542717738481600745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-86260733879905449822008-03-13T21:25:00.000+00:002008-03-13T21:25:00.000+00:00Bendy Girl, sorry to hear you have a fixed-term aw...Bendy Girl, sorry to hear you have a fixed-term award. I'll be very surprised if you don't get reawarded when you reapply. I'd start mustering support now, in your situation, ust to keep your back covered. Of course I'm pleased that I won't need to reapply but it still makes me mad the arbitrariness of DLA. My sister's disabled and housebound yet gets less DLA than I do, even though I can work and she can't. Crazy. <BR/><BR/>So - you're in the NW. My patch too. Would love to meet you sometime.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-28972481664863607412008-03-13T19:59:00.000+00:002008-03-13T19:59:00.000+00:00Pixie: And that's the living within in it took 3 d...Pixie: And that's the living within in it took 3 days to write some sort of sensible explanation simple version! Shocking isn't it!<BR/>The scheme you were ranting about is all part of it, keep at 'em! BG xBenefitScroungingScumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08939136229593231935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-30179425556961786432008-03-13T19:54:00.000+00:002008-03-13T19:54:00.000+00:00Louise: I'm so pleased to hear about your award, t...Louise: I'm so pleased to hear about your award, that's fantastic news! Bet it's a real weight off your mind. <BR/><BR/>Thank you both for the compliment and the advice. Unfortunately my award is definitely not a lifetime or unlimited one. It runs out in 2010. Sigh. <BR/><BR/>Faceless: TY for the advice. As I said my award runs out in 2010. The funny thing about EDS is that there's no guidance on it in the DM's handbook so it all falls under the chapter on hypermobility instead. Problem with that is that it was written by Prof Grahame (who used to head up the medical advisory board and is also one of the true specialists in bendy people for want of better wording) and his intention was to try and ensure that those with hypermobility syndrome (and meeting the criteria) were able to get DLA. Leaving aside the whole debate about whether hypermobility syndrome is the same thing as EDSIII it isn't much of a surprise to me that the awards are so hit and miss. I know of one woman with hypermobility syndrome who has lifetime mobility and care, cooks as a hobby, irons etc. She lives in the same kind of area as I do, but different PCT. I live in the North West but in my immediate area there aren't high numbers of claimants. <BR/><BR/>What's a 'less than average' DM? Its great to hear that improved training is being offered, I think it must be a terribly difficult and very stressful job to do. In my dealings with DWP staff for DLA apart from a few noteable exceptions I have found people to be friendly, kind and very helpful, but clearly frustrated. It's a very different experience than income support or incapacity benefit staff. <BR/><BR/>Big Bro: Eep, I hope not! I don't think this blog is significant enough for the politicians to notice...but if they do they can give me a job! Policy advisor. heehee<BR/>I think the other massive worry is how many working people are becoming poorer, but like you say all the parties are as bad as each other! look after yourself, lil sisBenefitScroungingScumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08939136229593231935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-53434372691177584262008-03-13T19:35:00.000+00:002008-03-13T19:35:00.000+00:00My God I hadn't realised it was all so bloody comp...My God I hadn't realised it was all so bloody complicated and there was me ranting about a new government scheme, which if your lucky you might get invited to have CBT to cheer you up whilst you grapple with all of the shite they already throw at you.<BR/>pxxFire Byrdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05477692359400671374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-77501143107837042642008-03-13T19:08:00.000+00:002008-03-13T19:08:00.000+00:00Wow lil sis. I hope you don't get done over by the...Wow lil sis. I hope you don't get done over by the government.<BR/><BR/>I think most people realise that all the government is doing is hitting the poorest and most needy.<BR/><BR/>Roll on the next election...but then they are all the same.<BR/><BR/>Take it easy...Km xkingmagichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13116771710151218704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-35876060342890150762008-03-13T18:01:00.000+00:002008-03-13T18:01:00.000+00:00I'm a bit surprised that with your condition that ...I'm a bit surprised that with your condition that your not on idenfinite award - you may have had a 'less than average' DM processing your case, in which case your probably safe on review and it may be worth appealing your care level. We are in the process of improving the training of DM's and providing them with tools that aid them in assessing cases more intelligently, but there are cultural issues and old habits that are hard to break, so it isn't going as fast or as smoothly as we would hope. <BR/><BR/>I'd be curious to know what general part of England you reside in to see how that area performs in its award accuracy.<BR/><BR/> -facelessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34940564.post-1606415293811820742008-03-13T17:48:00.000+00:002008-03-13T17:48:00.000+00:00Bendy Girl, do go back and check your DLA award le...Bendy Girl, do go back and check your DLA award letter. I recently discovered that if the award says you'll be paid "from and including [date]" with no mention of "for x months/years" it is an indefinite award. So you may not need to reapply. <BR/><BR/>I found this out last week from my welfare rights officer. I won my case, btw - they decided not to force me to go to tribunal and have given me a lifetime award for my epilepsy (hurray!) but I only realised I wouldn't need to reapply when the WRO explained the wording to me. <BR/><BR/>Great post - never seen such clarity on the benefits system before!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com