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

jaccol

I am truly amazed at the semantics in arguing this and that over amounts this man receives.He is a real person, in real need and I dare anyone to be envious or resentful of his financial arrangements whatever the true actual figure is.There is most definitely an air in my view in many parts of the media of tarnishing ANYONE on any form of benefit as a 'scrounger'.Much of the tripe and inaccuracies peddled in parts of the media seem politically motivated in highlighting the few bad apples to blame the many for our economic woes and using such stories to justify the need for widespread welfare reform. It is niot at all easy for many having disability, physical, mental or whatever and having to endure the contempt constantly driven by parts of the media.Everyone should remember you are one mishap, illness etc from being genuinely vulnerable and in need.No-one is immune.

zagfles

MSE_Martin wrote: »

I must say Im a little surpised some of the comments above. The whole point of Ross's article (as it clearly states - it is his article not ours - this is a guest comment) is to give a voice to someone who you wouldn't normally hear from.

It isn't about the pounds and the pence its about the attitude and prejudice he has felt about claiming benefit. As for checking through his benefits - this isnt about auditing the man's life - its about a platform to give him his say, in his words, with his view - talking about what it feels like.

We have tried to minimise any editorial influence (the same courtesy we give to other guest contributers including the Prime Minister, or Ed Balls, Ray Boulger) and let him have his say.

He had bravely stuck his head above the parapet - he is a real person - please remember that when you comment.

Martin, this discussion was posted on the benefit board, where many people spend time day after day giving advice to others on their benefits entitlement. We are told we shouldn't discuss benefit policy, we should help people get their entitlement. "Checking through benefits" is what we do here!

Is it really any wonder then that this article where the writer claims what appears to well under what someone is his position ought to be entitled to raises comment? This in no way negates the points about his treatment, in fact maybe if he reads this he might find he's not getting everything he should be. It's not a question of a matter of a few pence as some have suggested, what he appears to be getting is approximately half of what I'd expect someone in his position to get.

I really don't see why this discussion was posted on the benefit board if we aren't supposed to discuss his benefits.

rickbonar

The anti benefits propaganda is everywhere in the last year or so.

Seems the government has succeeded in divide and rule and diverting attention from and hiding their dodgy affairs from the public. Why hasn't "Lord" Archer's title been taken off him? Goodwin's has?

But back on this subject .... if any of you think this guy is on too much benefits.... ask yourself would you like to swap with him?

Oneday77

Martin, your right it is about a person.
However I would like to think that as a responsible site that tries to keep everything factual. Someone on the team should maybe have reviewed the data with the guest. It is all too easy to forget aspects of things when being interviewed especially when is it such a sensitive topic and the guest was putting themselves in the firing line.

I have already commented that he is entitled to his benefits and there are no doubts on that but the story itself has left too many 'gaps' to have the impact it deserves.

Doom_and_Gloom

I haven't seen anyone say this guy isn't in need of the money. Personally I think him claiming is 100% correct and I think most would think the same also! It is just that when someone is saying how the media says how people get a huge amount that most do not get (the cap) and then underestimate/not say exactly what they get it skews peoples ideas. It makes people think that those claiming are not 100% honest about what they get etc.

This guy should get every penny he gets for him and his family end of. He should just make sure 100% what they get before saying like this as it makes people judge benefit claimers still if not correct!

robpw2

why is everyone making assumptions about what he gets/does not get ... it is this asumption this aritcle is meant to fight against the assumption that everyone gets thousands and thousands .

i am not sure why some people feel the need to rip apart his story like hyenas after their latest meal

Joyful

I also agree that it is right that this family are able to claim. It is what the benefits are there for but if MSE is holding this up to be the correct information for people on benefits it is wrong. I assess people daily and for 2 adults on benefits plus 2 children the basic amounts including the child benefit and child tax credit is over £12,600. This is not including DLA, Housing or Council tax.

If he is genuinely only getting £11000 per year he needs to see why. It may be as has been said already that many people do not count the benefits they do not see in their hands like Housing and council tax benefit.

It is right that benefits are there to back people up but we also have to be realistic when talking about how much money they have in their hands. Many people after paying for Housing and council tax will have a lot less than this left in their hands but will also have to pay for the childrens school meals etc.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

*About bloody time*!!!

SingleSue

As someone who is reliant on benefits due to the care needs of my sons, I too have felt the stigma attached.

I abhor being called a scrounger, or scum, if I could, somehow, find work which would fit into the needs of the boys, then I would but as those needs are 24/7 (taking into account 3 different children's needs), that has proved to be mighty difficult thus far...not that I have given up trying to find a work around.

As for the amounts received, I am forever grateful that there is the safety net that does exist in this country and I do feel guilty about others having to work so that I can receive them. Ok, it is not a kings ransom (compared to what myself and now ex husband were earning combined) but it is a liveable amount with some careful budgeting and juggling (just to clarify, only one child receives DLA)

Living with a disability is not easy, either as the sufferer or the carer and being called scum does not help one iota...the feeling that you have to constantly defend yourself against it, is exhausting (but then I am a sensitive little flower :rotfl:)

What the answer is to stop these instant judgements, I have no idea without everyone putting lengthy explanations to start off with which is a completely unworkable proposal.

Dunroamin

rickbonar wrote: »

But back on this subject .... if any of you think this guy is on too much benefits.... ask yourself would you like to swap with him?

If you think that this is what people have been saying then you have massively missed the point!