Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

Citing a specific example to illustrate an opinion is of course not indicative of the overall state of the benefits system. We all know that for every genuine story of hardship there may be a corresponding number of questionable benefits claimants.

Your friend decided that his responsibility should pass to the state full time; the state supported him and his son for years not least no doubt to maintain the bond between father and son in a home of their own but apparently this wasn't enough.

The benefits system is under review to achieve a more efficient management of the available funds for the benefit of those who need it and to ensure the right resouces go to qualifying claimants.

I don't think anyone would term such a review as seeking cheap or simple solutions but it would be irresponsible not to manage every penny of taxpayers contributions effectively and of course within what the state can afford.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

Absolutely, I alluded to this earlier. Apart from the human costs associated with the disabled having to give up employment eg independence, loneliness, pride etc; it would cost the state much more in support if they had to give up work.

Don't forget that the Government has cut support for the Access To Work Scheme too. This provided sign language interpreters, for example, to enable the hearing impaired to go out to work.

Again, I absolutely agree. Anybody who thinks that being a carer is a form of "freeloading" is welcome to give up their job in return for £61.35 for 35+ hours a week. Caring often includes talking to mentally ill people to try and persuade them not to commit suicide (mentally exhausting), lifting hoists to get them into bed, pushing wheelchairs around (physically exhausting) as well as feeding, toileting etc.

Anybody who resents or is jealous of the limited support that disabled people and their carers receive is an idiot.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

What disability do you have Kursk?.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

A strangely defensive comment. Don't you think benefits should be managed responsibly by the Government? Incidentally, is a 'carer' a vocational career or could the term 'parent' be substituted?

What's that got to do with the price of bread?

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

If you have no disability then why would you bother to really find out how the intricate alterations have a disproportionate affect and if you don't have a disability your unlikely to really understand what it is like to live with it and the stress of the changes, quite important aspects I'd have thought when discussing disability benefits.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

Just to add that they are also considering scrapping Industrial Injuries Benefit.

In addition, people who have paid National Insurance Contributions may also lose their entitlement to Jobseekers Allowance and Employment Support Allowance.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

But there are two types of JSA. Contribution and Income based. If you have enough contribution you get put on that first for 6 months, then moved to the income based one. Its only income based that also entitles you to free dental care as well.

I find that daft. You are out of work but they think as you had a job recently you may have savings or other money so can still pay dental fees.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

So that I can make informed comment in the debate....

I disagree. Disability is only one of life's stressful aspects; we all have experience of difficulties and those presented by disability are extensively documented. Why should anything preclude anyone from discussion?

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

If your not living in the system Kursk you really don't understand how bad things have got and the constant worry of forthcoming changes let alone how these 12 billion in further cuts could affect.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

Except that is not what's happening. Blanket cuts are being made and most of them to the people who do need it the most.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

Because he or I, are not "living in the system" does not prevent him from having an opinion on how his taxes are spent by the government on welfare, or make his opinions any less valid than somebody " living in the system"

By that yard stick you would preclude anyone from having an opinion on anything that they haven't got direct experience of, which is nonsense.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

There is nothing wrong with people having a opinion as long as its a educated opinion and not one prejudiced by what certain politicians and certain sections of the media espouse to people.

l am supportive of welfare reform but there comes a time when enough is enough and that time is near as if we continue to go down this road for the next five years then those because of no fault of their own because of the disabilities and illnesses who need it the most are sadly going to be left with no help at all and no one can tell me that's right.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

Is that an educated opinion? Or is that an opinion prejudiced by certain politicians and sections of the media?

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

l look at the facts and info and the many experiences l have before me before l come out with a opinion unlike some who views and opinions are based only by what they read from certain prejudiced sections of the media or by listening to certain politicians.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread. Many merged.
 

What facts have been put forward that suggest those with disabilities and illnesses will have no benefits whatsoever within five years?