going abroad and signing on question

ferien_uk2011

dickydonkin wrote: »

ferien - You are proof that it does happen, although I wonder if it was an agency - which in that case, I would hardly lose any sleep over them incurring hefty telephone charges if they attempted to contact me by phone when I am on distant shores!

One was an agency, one wasn't!

bendix

hcb42 wrote: »

See below, couldnt have answered it any better myself.

And I dealt with it later by admitting my temporary softness and reverting to my purist approach - which I'm happy to defend - that if you can afford to go on holiday, you dont need benefits.

Benefits were historically meant to be provide people with bare essentials. Now they are a lifestyle option.

Noone should get benefits while they have savings or spare cash.

skater_kat

bendix wrote: »

And I dealt with it later by admitting my temporary softness and reverting to my purist approach - which I'm happy to defend - that if you can afford to go on holiday, you dont need benefits.

Benefits were historically meant to be provide people with bare essentials. Now they are a lifestyle option.

Noone should get benefits while they have savings or spare cash.

that last bit about savings - the law says otherwise.

hcb42

skater_kat wrote: »

that last bit about savings - the law says otherwise.

Agreed.

And if people are not allowed to claim JSA if they have cash in the bank (which we do not know in case of OP - someone else might have paid for their holiday) then it logically must follow that people with cash in the bank with disabilities or people with children should not claim child benefit or disability benefit either.

JSA is an entitlement in the UK - providing one has paid one's NI contributions in the relevant tax years prior to the period of unemployment - and are actively looking for work. They do not need to be judged by others for meeting the legal criteria. Go on holiday - No JSA payment as not deemed to be working for work, so what's the problem. . (rhetorical question, that)

And before I read another rant about lifestyle choice - not everyone who has been made redundant lately did it through choice. yes there are some who play the system and won't work and they should be penalised, but there is still a section of the unemployed in this country that DO want a job to improve their self esteem and quality of life - and are doing everything they can to secure one while claiming their £65 or whatever it is now

bendix

skater_kat wrote: »

that last bit about savings - the law says otherwise.

i know what the law is.

this forum is about opinions.

bendix

hcb42 wrote: »

Agreed.

And if people are not allowed to claim JSA if they have cash in the bank (which we do not know in case of OP - someone else might have paid for their holiday) then it logically must follow that people with cash in the bank with disabilities or people with children should not claim child benefit or disability benefit either.

I agree with your logic.

Irrespective of your situation - unemployment, disability, children etc - I believe strongly in the principle of supporting oneself if you have the financial means, even if it is savings.

If those savings don't exist, or they are depleted, and you have nothing, then go to the state for benefits.

How can that be morally wrong? Why is that harsh or uncaring? What is cruel about expectign people to pay their own way in life while they can, and assisting when they can't? It seems eminently reasonable to me.

ferien_uk2011

bendix wrote: »

I agree with your logic.

Irrespective of your situation - unemployment, disability, children etc - I believe strongly in the principle of supporting oneself if you have the financial means, even if it is savings.

If those savings don't exist, or they are depleted, and you have nothing, then go to the state for benefits.

How can that be morally wrong? Why is that harsh or uncaring? What is cruel about expectign people to pay their own way in life while they can, and assisting when they can't? It seems eminently reasonable to me.

The problem is the system essentially rewards people who spend frivolously and don't have any savings and those who have been sensible and saved their money get punished for it.

dickydonkin

ferien_uk2011 wrote: »

The problem is the system essentially rewards people who spend frivolously and don't have any savings and those who have been sensible and saved their money get punished for it.

Spot on! - and don't forget those who have not paid a penny into the welfare system as well.

And if people are not allowed to claim JSA if they have cash in the bank (which we do not know in case of OP - someone else might have paid for their holiday) then it logically must follow that people with cash in the bank with disabilities or people with children should not claim child benefit or disability benefit either.

Absolutely right as well.

I have no issues with means testing for benefits - providing it applies to ALL benefits across the board.

To me - parents receiving child benefit who are on substantial salaries or the many well off pensioners who receive their cold weather allowance should enter the equation as well - but the reality is that by even threatening to remove those 'benefits' would be political suicide for the government of the day.

The unemployed are easier targets.

skater_kat

bendix wrote: »

i know what the law is.

this forum is about opinions.

the OP is simply trying to ascertain what they are entitled to.

i'm not sure a resulting debate about the benefits policy and what people think is 'right' is helpful.