MSE News: 'I'm on benefits but I'm no scrounger'

sarahg1969

want-it-all wrote: »

Indeed, many DLA claimants do work...

The figure is 17%, I believe.

http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/latest-news2/medical-test-for-dla

zagfles

Dunroamin wrote: »

What a wasted opportunity of showing a sympathetic story about someone claiming and deserving benefits should be spoiled by inaccurate information which just makes the whole story more controversial. What a shame that MSE sjould publish this without checking the facts involved.

Indeed, this article is really no better than the "twaddle being published about benefit claimants" which it complains about.

If he really is only getting £11k then there is something we're not being told, maybe he has substantial savings, maybe he's not claiming all he's entitled to (unlikely for someone who claims "I am very, very good with legislation"), maybe he's deducted lots of expenses to arrive at the £11k, who knows, but whatever the article smacks of the same sort of disingenousness that "benefit basher" articles often use to make a point.

We can't have a proper debate about benefits without first establishing the facts, and the facts are that most families in this guy's position would be entitled to substantially more than £11k in benefits.

Mouschka

Thanks MSE for attempting to redress the balance.
There are issues with the welfare state but also plenty of real people in real need.
So far, my OH and I have been lucky and always found work that means we can pay our way. I hope I can work as long as I want to but none of us knows what life may bring so I am grateful for the benefits system.
We need to ensure that safety net stays - who knows how and why we may need it.
Good luck OP - keep going and I hope things get better for you

Butterfly_Brain

I am on DLA come bash me if you dare Grrrrrrrrrrrrr
I have worked from the age of 15 non stop until I got Osteoarthritis and am waiting for both knees to be replaced. I also have Osteoarthritis in both hands, COPD and continence issues .
My DLA goes towards mobility aids and copious amounts of drugs that I need. I also have to pay for compression stockings because I have had 2 DVT's in the last few years and have venous insufficiency in my legs.
My husband and children help me with showers, getting me dressed and cooking etc and my husband works full time and does not receive carers allowance . Both of the children are in college.

Common Lies about DLA

• You do not qualify for free prescriptions on DLA
• You only get a car if you are in receipt of both full mobility and care elements of DLA and you have to give up your DLA payment to have the car.
  The cost of disability items are extremely expensive as is having a carer to come in.

I am sick and tired of being accused of being a scrounger when I have paid into the system for over thirty years and yet the likes of Qatada come to this country and exploit the system and get a hell of a lot more money.

missmontana

Unless all the figures are provided in black and white of all his benefits, incomings and outgoings then I don't see how anyone can judge or speculate.
All bills add up, water, gas, electric, tv license then there's insurances, mot, tax, petrol.... He mentions arrears and not being able to switch.
They may have had to adapt the house in some ways, hire equipment, we just don't know!

want-it-all

• You only get a car if you are in receipt of both full mobility and care elements of DLA and you have to give up your DLA payment to have the car.

Cars can be obtained on HRM (or War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement) only, provided you have at least 12mths left on current award. You don't need to qualify for any rate of care to be eligible for the Motability scheme.

However, good post, nothing like DLA bashing to make my own blood boil, and I'm not disabled...

Barneysmom

I don't see what difference it makes knowing to the last penny how much the family gets. Fact is he's not a scrounger.
He is entitled to benefits so should get them.


Maybe he doesn't claim everything he's entitled to, maybe he's never been advised on what he's entitled to.
He may not get the same support as Qatada does.

Butterfly Brain you have my sympathy, it's hard enough for you to live with your illness, you haven't got to tell anyone anything. Pay ne heed to them.

And yes, we should look after our own before the likes of Qatada, I hope he's booted out of this country as quickly as possible, he's cost enough.

Oneday77

I for one know I am guilty of benefit bashing. However it is always against the long term claimants that have no real excuse for not working. In this story he does have physical issues and to me that makes him a worthy claimant. However the facts in the story need to be broken down and checked to give it any validity. If as people have stated the £11k is likely to not include HB & CTC. Then I'm sure over on the DFW board people could make £11k go a very long way. The Oldstyle board could probably feed the whole family on less than £2k a year easily, then take Gas\Electric at £2k a year. So £7k a year for travel, clothes, communication bills, car, insurances etc is budgetable but probably doesn't leave too much room. Benefits are to ensure that people don't live in a gutter and begging in the street, not to allow for foreign holidays etc.

Once the fraudulent benefit claimants are cracked down on the whole benefit culture will get a better reputation. No-one ever remembers things for the good stuff, the negative is built into the UK public's outlook on things. Look at the bad weather & poor football to see what I mean.

Additionally he states he would wish to get the £26k that people are throwing about. The issue is why should any family get the equivalent of a £35,000 annual wage before Tax & NI for free?

Butterfly_Brain

Thank you for the correction want-it-all, it just goes to show that even when you claim DLA you are not told what you are eligible for.
I would choose not to go for the car because I have 8 items on my repeat prescription monthly plus extras such as steroids and antibiotics so it averages out at £76.00 per month (I get £100 per month for higher mobility and middle rate care combined) I also had to pay for my own wheelchair, toilet adaption, stairlift and handles in the shower plus a shower stool and I have bought myself a mobility scooter so that I have a little bit of independence.

Edinburghlass_2

Barneysmom wrote: »

I don't see what difference it makes knowing to the last penny how much the family gets. Fact is he's not a scrounger.
He is entitled to benefits so should get them.


Maybe he doesn't claim everything he's entitled to, maybe he's never been advised on what he's entitled to.
He may not get the same support as Qatada does.

Butterfly Brain you have my sympathy, it's hard enough for you to live with your illness, you haven't got to tell anyone anything. Pay ne heed to them.

And yes, we should look after our own before the likes of Qatada, I hope he's booted out of this country as quickly as possible, he's cost enough.

I wish I could thank your post more than once. This guy is a real person, not an MSE statistic, he told his story and the figures don't need to be validated to the last penny by anyone here.

Sometimes I'm ashamed to be a member of MSE.