Fraudulently Claiming Disability Benefit?

shaven-monkey

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

Fair enough but how come socail phobia is so prevalent nowadays.
Not being funny but a genuine question.
You never heard of it years ago.

I blame human nature. We're monkeys born into a fractured tribe and surrounded by strangers we'll never know, different strangers every day. We have no way of knowing which of these strangers are our enemies or friends. We attempt to understand the overt signals and mimic them by buying certain clothing or styling our fur in a certain way.

One thing that all socially anxious people share is the knowledge that their thoughts and fears are basically irrational. That is, people with social anxiety know that others are really not critically judging or evaluating them all the time. They understand that people are not trying to embarrass or humiliate them. They realize that their thoughts and feelings are somewhat exaggerated and irrational. Yet, despite this rational knowledge, they still continue to feel differently.

It's a wonderful thing to know that your feelings are irrational. It's something I've started to consider a gift. I know I'm irrational, I know you're irrational and so I don't worry too much about making sense of it all. Doesn't stop me experiencing anxiety though.

elvis86

woodbine wrote: »

more so than you are with your "scumbag"comments,they are neither needed nor wanted on here....

IMO, there's no way that someone claiming benefit like that should be able to to afford to maintain the lifestyle being described, never mind whether someone capable of going out so much should qualify for benefit full stop! Its criminal, and that makes you a scumbag IMO.

You can't pick and choose what parts of life you're willing to participate in, regardless of how your "illness" manifests itself. Too desperately ill to go and work, but perfectly fine to go out clubbing? Get a job in a club then, if you can cope with that enviroment but find that an office is too stressful. Is that really such an unreasonable idea?

Personally if I knew someone like that (in real life, not from reading a blog which as others have said, could be entirely fabricated), I think I would have to report them. How can we complain about people abusing the system if we're not willing to participate in bringing them to justice?

seven-day-weekend

I personally(possibly) know of one person who might be 'cheating the system' (although I am not entirely sure) and afaik she is claiming as a single parent when she has a partner.

I have not reported her mainly because I am not entirely sure.

I do not know of anyone faking mental health conditions although I know several people who claim sickness and/or disability benefits for them. (ETA: and some who suffer from them but do not claim anything).

I'm not saying no-one ever cheats, what I'm saying is do not assume that everyone is because you can't see anything wrong with them

dmg24

elvis86 wrote: »

IMO, there's no way that someone claiming benefit like that should be able to to afford to maintain the lifestyle being described, never mind whether someone capable of going out so much should qualify for benefit full stop! Its criminal, and that makes you a scumbag IMO.

You can't pick and choose what parts of life you're willing to participate in, regardless of how your "illness" manifests itself. Too desperately ill to go and work, but perfectly fine to go out clubbing? Get a job in a club then, if you can cope with that enviroment but find that an office is too stressful. Is that really such an unreasonable idea?

Personally if I knew someone like that (in real life, not from reading a blog which as others have said, could be entirely fabricated), I think I would have to report them. How can we complain about people abusing the system if we're not willing to participate in bringing them to justice?

You are making lots of assumptions, none of which can be verified on the information given.

SingleSue

sammiedoodle wrote: »

I blame all the lazy gits who fake mental health issues coz they'r too lazy to get a job. Not all people claiming are legitimate and it just makes a mockery of the whole system, didn't exist so much years ago coz they wouldn't have got money for it and before you say it yes I know of at least 5 people in my area who brag about cheating the system and faking that they are depressed/anxious/paranoid etc etc

I worked and suffered depression/complete breakdown (although did have to take time off for that, no benefits claimed).....not everyone will claim, not everyone will be at the severity to claim...and yes you do get the ones who make things up but they are very much in the minority.

daska

I know that there have been many times when people who allegedly 'know' me have been surprised the first time they see me on my scooter or unable to talk or even fall off my chair because I'm 'tired'. These are people who have met me more than once, been to my home, know my family well enough to socialise with them etc. I've even had old friends (20+ years) walk past me in the street because they haven't recognised the 'ill' me (my face looks considerably different on better and worse days).

And there have always been people with social phobias - this isn't a new thing. Previously they'd have been written off as a 'bit odd' (or 'reclusive' if they were loaded.)

AngelBadger

Why don't you comment on her blog and ask her some questions regarding how she manages to do these things whilst suffering from Social anxiety? Find out more info, it might help you too. There could be many reasons to explain it, only one of which is that she could actually work if she tried.

I don't claim to be socially anxious although it is a part of my illness and it fluctuates massively. Initially when it was a major issue for me I was told that as part of treatment I had to expose myself to social situations so that I could learn coping stratagies that were helpful, rather than the fight or flight ones that were currently in use.

Mrstittlemouse - Just because mental illnesses weren't known by the names of today isn't to say they didn't exist. Many people like myself who now live independantly, years ago would be in institutions as I don't function fully within society. The only two things I can think of from old that are now seen as mental illness are those who were said to 'suffered from nerves', and men who were seen as deserters from the forces which would now be deemed as due to Post traumatic stress syndrome.

elvis86

dmg24 wrote: »

You are making lots of assumptions, none of which can be verified on the information given.

If you re-read my post, you'll see that I'm talking hypothetically and not specifically about this blogger's case. As others have said, who knows whether any of that's true. What I'm saying, is that if someone IS living that lifestyle, and claiming benefit for the kind of symptoms described, they are scumbags.:cool:

jimbms

To me there is only one thing to do if you suspect anyone of fraudulently caiming any benifit and that is to report them, if there is an innocent explination then I am sure they can prove it, if not thaen you have prevented one more scumbag form fraudulently leeching off the backs of those who truely deserve beniffits.

Indie_Kid

jimbms wrote: »

To me there is only one thing to do if you suspect anyone of fraudulently caiming any benifit and that is to report them, if there is an innocent explination then I am sure they can prove it, if not thaen you have prevented one more scumbag form fraudulently leeching off the backs of those who truely deserve beniffits.

I know at least 2 people who have been reported for supposedly cheating the system - they were found innocent. They both said it was hell having to prove that they have the needs they say they do.

I'm afraid they are not very much in the minority, when I worked @ JC loads of people were either claiming for a bad back or depression/stress/anxiety problems, all the things that are difficult to disprove (then you'd see them out clubbing/drinking/working on the sly!! in and around the area)

Good & bad days, anyone? I have depression, which can be very bad at times. 2 months ago, I managed to go out with a friend - yet, I claim benefits legally; because I still have issues.

I'm not saying no-one ever cheats, what I'm saying is do not assume that everyone is because you can't see anything wrong with them

Exactly. Many people have been surprised when I've said that I'm visually impaired. (you can see the problems I have if you look very closely at my eyes)