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

rellarips

scootw1 wrote: »

I wonder why Ross has disappeared as soon as we have asked him to clarify his posting concerning the amount he gets?

That seems to be a very claw and teeth comment to me.

Why are you so concerned, anyway? Would you like someone to ask you for your payslips scanned as proof of what you earned on a forum? What you are basically saying is that you cannot take Ross' word at face value; you would like a further breakdown and more clarification of income. For the purpose of... what, exactly?

Put it to rest.

zigzigzag

rellarips wrote: »

That seems to be a very claw and teeth comment to me.

Why are you so concerned, anyway? Would you like someone to ask you for your payslips scanned as proof of what you earned on a forum? What you are basically saying is that you cannot take Ross' word at face value; you would like a further breakdown and more clarification of income. For the purpose of... what, exactly?

Put it to rest.

I disagree - as it was me who asked the question, the reason I asked it is certainly not that I don't take Ross's word at face value - it's that I don't understand what he is saying. The purpose, as I clearly stated, was for context, to compare like with like- eg his discussion of the £26k cap, and the issue of being on benefits v a full-time wage. Otherwise, I don't understand. And *yes*, if I wrote an article like this I would certainly expect people on the forum to ask questions about it.

I agree that it should be put to rest, but done so with the information; the lack of it is a little mystifying.

goodcommonsense

Hi Ross, do you receive an age addition on your Incapacity, and a premium for having a dependent partner? Or maybe Income Support covers the extra? I'm struggling to understand the figures.

Thanks!

scootw1

rellarips wrote: »

That seems to be a very claw and teeth comment to me.

Why are you so concerned, anyway? Would you like someone to ask you for your payslips scanned as proof of what you earned on a forum? What you are basically saying is that you cannot take Ross' word at face value; you would like a further breakdown and more clarification of income. For the purpose of... what, exactly?

Put it to rest.

No, I wouldn't but here again i EARN my money. The money for benefits comes from the public purse (the taxpayer) so I think we have a bit of say. he has been asked to clarify the amount he gets, he has not. If he won't clarify this, why should we pay any attention to the rest of his article?

thedrsmisses

scootw1 wrote: »

I wonder why Ross has disappeared as soon as we have asked him to clarify his posting concerning the amount he gets?

He hasn't disappeared, you might be surprised to know that we actually spend time with our kids rather then sit on the internet all day answering questions he has already answered, you will find it on page 19 feel free to read his response

thedrsmisses

scootw1 wrote: »

No, I wouldn't but here again i EARN my money. The money for benefits comes from the public purse (the taxpayer) so I think we have a bit of say. he has been asked to clarify the amount he gets, he has not. If he won't clarify this, why should we pay any attention to the rest of his article?

then feel free to not comment, his article wasn't about the amount of benefit he gets it was about the stigma of claiming them, the being treated like a liar and scum, I think you have just proved his point. He to paid into the system for many years so why shouldn't he be entitled to claim when he needs to? feel free to read Ross' response to the many questions asked on page 19.

rellarips

scootw1 wrote: »

No, I wouldn't but here again i EARN my money. The money for benefits comes from the public purse (the taxpayer) so I think we have a bit of say. he has been asked to clarify the amount he gets, he has not. If he won't clarify this, why should we pay any attention to the rest of his article?

It's your choice. But not paying attention to what is going on in the world around you puts you at a distinct disadvantage and open to manipulation through extorting your ignorance. I applaud that you are one of the many who earn your money, which is the way it should work, but I ask you to consider those who are unable to earn their money in the current economy; people who like yourself, have worked hard and made their own way until disaster stuck and the recession produced job cuts and placed those who were already disadvantaged amongst the workforce in an even more difficult situation for job seeking. As many before myself in this thread have pointed out, these people have worked and earned their way and paid into a scheme which is designed to help them in times of crisis. The point of the article was, I believe, to highlight the fact that the system isn't working; it's open to abuse by some and is not helping others who should be receiving the help they deserve right now. Imagine if that were you[; it could be you next week as none of us know our futures. There are people out there who are simply trying to highlight the flaws of the system and improve them, to help the rest of us. Meeting that help with aggression is counter-productive. Perhaps you are a strong ally to the actions of governments?

I would urge you to use your anger to a more productive outcome than attacking those who only wish to highlight the flaws of an abused and inefficient system. Becoming offensive and defensive doesn't help.

AnnGran_2

Thanks for your article Ross and explaining your situation. There will always be some people who will never understand what it is like to have a disability. Or those who are only to ready to get out the calculator and
object that they are paying for everything. I am grateful that I've got a job although it is soon threatened to be taken over by volunteers! We should keep our criticisms for those who do abuse the system. Most of those are too busy down the pub or on holiday with their giant tax free bonuses to bother to what others think of them. It's the ones that do care that get hurt the most by self righteous bullies.

krisskross

PhiltheBear wrote: »

I'm on benefits too. I'm 62 - nearly 63 and I've been out of work for about 4 years. Do I try and find work? Yes, I make at least 20 job applications a day - usually twice that. The reality is that there is a huge shortage of jobs. I'm told that I'm 'over qualified' for most jobs I go to (who wants an IT expert with a PhD to serve burgers?) or the broad hint is that they want someone younger. I'm sick to death of the ignorant people who believe that everyone on benefits is a scrounger. Believe me, I want to work - not scrape by on the pittance I get as a weekly 'allowance'. I don't get any other benefits - no housing, council tax, disability, or any other things.

Look at the news - the number out of work is rising. That isn't happening because everyone wants to shirk. It's happening because firms are failing and putting people out of work or contracting and laying people off. Like the guy who wrote his story, I'm in Southampton. At my last signing on day I was told that the person prior to me was being told he was too old for jobs - he was 50 - so what chance have I got? (And, yes, I know it's illegal to say so but who is going to know?)

I paid taxes (high ones most of the time) for 40 years. Any benefits I get now, as far as I'm concerned, I've paid for in advance. So, no, we're not all scroungers and layabouts - it's a myth that is strengthened by dangerous people like Ian Duncan Smith to push through cuts on to the poorest people in society who can't do a damn thing about it.

Just a thought but are you old enough for pension credit? This could well give you a decent liveable on amount. Plus when you are old enough for pension credit you will be eligible for the WFA. You do have to claim these benefits though.

Mupette

burky1959 wrote: »

I work a 40 hour week, I have 2 children, 1 at college, 1 doing voluntary work which the company has agreed they will train him, So he isnt entitled to any Job seekers, my daughter recieves nothing watsoever for attending college. I get Child benefit £20.00 and Child tax credit £7.90 per week for her, so after paying my bills I am left with £200.00 per month for food. I walk too and from work every day as I just havent got the fare, this takes me 55 mins there and back. my 17 year old has never had a holiday in her life, we dont have a flat screen tv, mine is a second hand one. Life seems so unfair. If your cant work then that I can understand but when Im flogging myself day and night and they have more than me and mine, then the system needs to be changed

rather than look at others to attack because of your lack of money, how about getting your 2 kids getting part time work.
my son is at college too, yet he managed to get a part time job to work around college, both yours could get work and pay rent/housekeeping to you.