The state benefits system mega-thread.

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

Well, if Cameron stopped overseas aid. Which he is so proud of. Can you imagine how many GPs, Drs, Nurses, Teachers he could supply for this country.

I read the other day, that if he gets back in, he plans to DOUBLE aid, to countries that need it.

Most of this aid will go onto the black market, and useless projects that this country wont benefit from.

Pensioners in this country, are treated so poorly. That is a disgrace

You strike me as being far better suited to UKIP than Labour based on this post.

[MalteseFalcon]

I agree with Arthur (shock horror) about the need to end or even reduce the amount we pay to foreign countries. India are building a space program so don't need the money we give them. And you all know my thoughts about giving money to foreign countries who have disasters. Help is needed here in the UK first and foremost, not in the foreign countries.

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by MarkC1984

I agree with Arthur (shock horror) about the need to end or even reduce the amount we pay to foreign countries. India are building a space program so don't need the money we give them. And you all know my thoughts about giving money to foreign countries who have disasters. Help is needed here in the UK first and foremost, not in the foreign countries.

As do I but it's about the only thing I agree with the man on.

[tweetiepooh]

Maybe some of these countries wouldn't need so much help if they weren't servicing debts to us in the 1st world. What's more we lend so they can buy from us stuff they often don't need. And yes I am aware that it's the "elite" in some countries who benefit and are corrupt. But the poor are really poor and need our help. We should help the poor and suffering and I don't qualify where they are.

The benefits/donations do need to be focussed better though, both home and abroad.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Russ

This kind of thing really gets my goat.

She says she can't work because she has sleep apnoea (which I believe as you can't fake it and not to put too fine a point on it, people of her size are very susceptible to the condition) which makes her fall asleep during the day. NEWSFLASH - I have had sleep apnoea since my early 20s yet still work. I just deal with it and with 4 kids to contribute towards I don't have the luxury of getting benefits. Apnoea means without my treatment I stop breathing 58 times an hour on average whilst asleep. I hate to comment on someone's weight as there could be any number of reasons behind it but she needs to get off her fat arse and either get a job or think up a better excuse as to why she doesn't have one.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...-stone-5472136

Where there's a will there's a way...

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-li...-month-5478042

[richard s]

Originally Posted by tweetiepooh

Maybe some of these countries wouldn't need so much help if they weren't servicing debts to us in the 1st world. What's more we lend so they can buy from us stuff they often don't need. And yes I am aware that it's the "elite" in some countries who benefit and are corrupt. But the poor are really poor and need our help. We should help the poor and suffering and I don't qualify where they are.

The benefits/donations do need to be focussed better though, both home and abroad.

I thought we were in the crap with debt!

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Russ

Where there's a will there's a way...

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-li...-month-5478042

who the hell would pay for that

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Russ

Where there's a will there's a way...

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-li...-month-5478042

I find both Fat Shaming and the link to be disgusting.

News just in says that the Tories intend to cut Housing Benefit by 10% in order to meet their 12 billion pound cuts as well as further cuts to Council Tax Support.

This is in addition to the freeze on all benefits, the taxation of DLA, PIP and Attendance Allowance, the cessation of the Work Related Activity Group, scrapping Contribution Based JSA and ESA.

Looks like they are now abusing the 'deprivation of capital rule'. This terminally ill woman was told she couldn't pay for her own funeral or she could be committing an "offence".

When pressed which " offence" she would actually be committing, the DWP "declined to comment".

http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com...r-own-funeral/

This is getting ridiculous.

[Stuart]

The link is actually one example of a woman who has embraced her size and is taking advantage of it. While I don't find that kind of thing attractive, surely for her, that's a good thing, is it not?

Regarding the fat shaming, I think you may be being a little oversensitive.

Regarding the benefit, the girl on benefits may have genuine problems that cause her to be overweight. I don't know her so it would be unfair of me to judge her. The article implies her weight gain may be due to packets of crisps and junk food.

I recently lost a lot of weight (I am unsure how much because I didn't weigh myself when I started, but I went from a 42 inch waist to a 38 inch waist, and am nearer a 36 inch waist now). I didn't follow any special diet. All I did was cut 95% of the crap from my diet and replaced it with healthier alternatives, and increased my exercise a little. A bonus side effect is that the healthier, fresh food I am now eating costs, in a lot of cases, a lot less than the takeaways and junk food it replaced. I managed that while in my 40s. She is in her 20s, so assuming she is not suffering a condition that causes problems with weight, she *should* be able to lose weight a lot more easily that I did.

Also one thing to remember, if she is claiming benefits she doesn't need: That 18,000 pounds she is getting could be going to someone who genuinely needs it.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I find both Fat Shaming and the link to be disgusting.

Way to completely miss the point.

One woman blames her size for claiming benefits, another woman using her size to make money. The only shaming is that of the scrounger.

[v0id]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com...r-own-funeral/

This is getting ridiculous.

Something's not quite right here.
You don't even have to inform the DWP if you have savings under £6000

[nomadking]

Originally Posted by v0id

Something's not quite right here.
You don't even have to inform the DWP if you have savings under £6000

She was asking them the question, "what if". It sounds like her saving were nowhere near £6,000 as the claimed potential deduction(£!5) is exactly the amount as if she currently had £6,000 and this was to go on top of that, ie savings changing from £6,000 to £9,750(£15 = £1 for each £250 over £6,000). The DWP have said that there would be no deduction. So as happens way too often, especially in this thread, the story is a LOAD OF NONSENSE. It was money she had easy access to and therefore is classed as capital, otherwise people would stash excess money using that method and would always be eligible for income based benefits.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by MarkC1984

I agree with Arthur (shock horror) about the need to end or even reduce the amount we pay to foreign countries. India are building a space program so don't need the money we give them. And you all know my thoughts about giving money to foreign countries who have disasters. Help is needed here in the UK first and foremost, not in the foreign countries.

India isn't building a space programme it has had one for decades thing is it was only used for putting satellites up until the last few years and if you need any reason to wonder why we have an aid programme this link might help

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...a-9591247.html

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Stuart

The link is actually one example of a woman who has embraced her size and is taking advantage of it. While I don't find that kind of thing attractive, surely for her, that's a good thing, is it not?

Regarding the fat shaming, I think you may be being a little oversensitive.

Regarding the benefit, the girl on benefits may have genuine problems that cause her to be overweight. I don't know her so it would be unfair of me to judge her. The article implies her weight gain may be due to packets of crisps and junk food.

I recently lost a lot of weight (I am unsure how much because I didn't weigh myself when I started, but I went from a 42 inch waist to a 38 inch waist, and am nearer a 36 inch waist now). I didn't follow any special diet. All I did was cut 95% of the crap from my diet and replaced it with healthier alternatives, and increased my exercise a little. A bonus side effect is that the healthier, fresh food I am now eating costs, in a lot of cases, a lot less than the takeaways and junk food it replaced. I managed that while in my 40s. She is in her 20s, so assuming she is not suffering a condition that causes problems with weight, she *should* be able to lose weight a lot more easily that I did.

Also one thing to remember, if she is claiming benefits she doesn't need: That 18,000 pounds she is getting could be going to someone who genuinely needs it.

Well done in losing so much weight.

Interesting to see that obese people now have protection under disability discrimination legislation.

Originally Posted by v0id

Something's not quite right here.
You don't even have to inform the DWP if you have savings under £6000

Legally all capital/property/savings etc (even cash in the house) must be declared when making a claim for means tested benefits.

Even the value of personal possessions can be taken into account in certain circumstances.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

Let me solve those question's.
I am 63 years old, and have had the winter fuel allowance since l was sixty.
You can work - only part time though. I was told that by a mate of mine, who gets his pension BUT, if you work over certain hours - he loses parts of his pension

I work full time, and get a full wage. BUT have been told that l cannot retire until 66 years old. BUT, my contract is up at 65. BUT can continue due to the Age and Equality Act

I would rather continue working. I have been unemployed four times in my life, and its hard. And you are just a number.

My scarist thing is when l retire is how do l support my wife, you cannot survive on the state pension, and the small pension l get now is £60 per month BUT that has tax of £15 pds taken out

All my bills have gone up - but nothing else. I am not lazy, but now bone are starting to creak. And the point will come is when l cannot get out of bed.

Am l angry, yes. OAP's are treated very badly in this country. And l don't know why - maybe because they are vulnerable and cannot answer back. And Osborne will make sure they will suffer.

This link might help Arthur:

http://www.saga.co.uk/money/work-and...spx?smonnl=700