Could you eat beans on toast 7 nights a week?!

luce181

Heard a funny (albeit also quite sad) thing last night...

My OH's Dad, has been out of work for about a year, he's in his 50's and has breathing problems and altho he's willing to work cannot find a job.

He gets job seekers of £19 a week, but has to pay gas & electric out of this.
When he was at the job centre, he asked the member of staff if they could live on £19 a week, the response was:
'I hear beans on toast is a good meal' :eek:

now I know that the staff probably get asked this a lot, but surely they could come up with something more constructive than that?
Maybe the job centre should get their staff to read MSE forums for some more inspirational advice to give people,
I look forward to reading your responses

Lucy

alwaysonthego_2

Why does he only get £19 per week, does he have capital?

Does he claim DLA if he has had his condition over 3 months? (it is assessed on mobility and care needs if he has any)

I imagine a very smelly house if the JCs advice is taken:eek:

[Deleted User]

i`m just wondering what his circumstances are that mean he only gets £19 per week?

luce181

I'm not exactly sure, but he is able to work but just can't find anyone to employ him.
TBH I didn't know he was on such a low income until last night

luce181

alwaysonthego wrote: »

I imagine a very smelly house if the JCs advice is taken:eek:

Lol that's exactly what we said last night :rotfl:

alwaysonthego_2

luce181 wrote: »

I'm not exactly sure, but he is able to work but just can't find anyone to employ him.
TBH I didn't know he was on such a low income until last night

You need to find out why is JSA is low because it is well under the amount that the government recommends is enough for a person to live on.

PolishBigSpender

Probably the age old case of 'has savings, won't spend', I imagine.

maz_student

You know, what they said was actually pretty mean. I bet they wouldnt say such a thing if it involves their own dad :rolleyes:

ANYWHOO... Here are some food ideas. Some experience from my student days... and boy did I have to budget!

Tell to eat foods which have a low GI or whatever its called. But most definitely tell him about porridge... It sounds like something the Three Bears would eat, lol, but it honestly keeps you full for a long time. Brussel sprouts are also meant to keep you full for longer and he only needs to eat about 4 or 5 with his main meal, so even if he goes to Iceland and buys a big pack for £1, it'll last him ages! Eggs are another option. No cereal, though, since youre always hungry after an hour. Weetabix is a good choice however because it has no sugar -- well, hardly any in it. Tuna sandwiches also keep you full up, and apparently, Turkey meat Vs chicken meat keeps you fuller for longer and its not as fatty. Oh, and if he lives alone, then tell him to freeze his bread and tell him to defrost a couple of slices of bread at a time. Hope these are useful to him :A

luce181 wrote: »

Heard a funny (albeit also quite sad) thing last night...

My OH's Dad, has been out of work for about a year, he's in his 50's and has breathing problems and altho he's willing to work cannot find a job.

He gets job seekers of £19 a week, but has to pay gas & electric out of this.
When he was at the job centre, he asked the member of staff if they could live on £19 a week, the response was:
'I hear beans on toast is a good meal' :eek:

now I know that the staff probably get asked this a lot, but surely they could come up with something more constructive than that?
Maybe the job centre should get their staff to read MSE forums for some more inspirational advice to give people,
I look forward to reading your responses

Lucy

charlie..._7

he should of asked what experience he had as he said, '' i hear eating beans on toast is a good meal'', thus suggesting he didnt really know, (cheeky so and so)

as for only getting £19 a week, he must have other income does he not ? if not appeal against this decision

seven-day-weekend

Either he has other income, a spouse who has other income, or he has savings between £6000 and £16000.

Any of these scenarios mean he doesn't actually have to live on £19 a week.

PolishBigSpender

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Any of these scenarios mean he doesn't actually have to live on £19 a week.

Of course he does. He couldn't possibly use his savings to support himself when the Government and taxpayer are there to subsidise him, could he?

Perish the thought of someone using their savings for the day when it kept raining.