Are you made to feel guilty for claiming benefits?

LadyMorticia

I feel guilty for claiming benefits because that's how I am made to feel by those around me who don't understand, not because I'm guilty of benefit fraud or whatever.

They see a 24 year old on her good days (which aren't many) and assume that I am like that all the time. In fact, I very rarely have many good days. If I'm not battling my mental health illnesses, I'm battling my M.E and having both at the same time is a horrendous thing to go through.

I can go to the supermarket, walk down one aisle and then not be able to walk anymore. Having a walking stick is embarrassing and having my OH carry me is embarrassing too.

I've been told that I'm lazy because I don't have a job. I would do anything to not be ill and to be able to have a job, even if it were only part time. I have ambition and dreams and it's very saddening that I can't act on them.

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

Yes, alot of people on here judge you & tbh even my family do.

I get the "were depressed but we work cause we can't afford not to" speech every now & again when they have had a bad day at work.

The thing is I worked through my depression for years until it got to the point that I couldn't leave the house without having panic attacks.

I was then off work sick for over 6 months hoping that i'd get well enough to go back but had to eventually admit that wasn't going to happen any time soon so bit the bullet & went on IB.

I'm still on IB 5 years later as my depression is linked to other health problems & probably won't improve until I get those problems sorted.

When I see my mum & sister talking about work & going out with work friends I wish that I still had that life but i'm determined I will get better & return to work at some point even if it's only part time or voluntary.