New sanctions for benefits

nannytone_2

from my knowledgte, that is what legally they have to do.

they are not allowed to remove a supply from any household that contains a child or vulnerabke adult.

they can set the pre payment meter to recover any outstanding debt though

von

Accountability, responsibility - why should it backfire on the DWP when someone fails to do something that they should be doing in order to receive benefit. Would they forget to go to work?

LunaLady

tomsanderson617 wrote: »

Is that right? So they will just come round and install a prepay metre?

Yes they do. I worked for Eon when it was Powergen and that is exactly what my role was (organising prepayment meter fittings when bills were unpaid, though not just for people with children).

missapril75

nannytone wrote: »

gas and electric arent turned off when there is a child in the houshold.

They need to know this though. I remember a policy several years ago where they wouldn't do it where there was someone over a certain age, but it had to be notified to them otherwise they wouldn't know.

With all the options they offer before disconnection actually happens, there's little excuse for anyone ever to be disconnected. Unless they're the sort of person who doesn't "do" reasonable.

nannytone_2

now there are pre payment meters ( years ago the only option was quaterly billing) i dont thin many people actually get 'cut off'.

the energy companies just install pre payment meters and recoup any debt that way

tomsanderson617

von wrote: »

Accountability, responsibility - why should it backfire on the DWP when someone fails to do something that they should be doing in order to receive benefit.

When I say the DWP I mean the government. Lets be honest the UK has been spoilt and this generation has an entitlement mentality. All these cuts and making it harder will backfire on the government.

If they keep cutting benefits hard times will be down the road for many.

Its all very well to keep saying "well if they cant afford to pay for the kids without any benefits then they should not have had kids" Yes that's true but what about all the women who now have had kids and rely on benefits?

Its too late now, you cant go cold turkey, and cut so much so quickly.

coffeelover65

tomsanderson617 wrote: »

Its all very well to keep saying "well if they cant afford to pay for the kids without any benefits then they should not have had kids" Yes that's true but what about all the women who now have had kids and rely on benefits?

Its too late now, you cant go cold turkey, and cut so much so quickly.

If it ever happened we'd probably see transitional arrangements as that's what they usually do. For example, anybody that has kids now would continue to receive the current CB entitlement but say for new parents who give birth in 12 months, the new rules would apply if they ever implemented for example a 2 child max policy.

tiddlertot

tomsanderson617 wrote: »

Will this not backfire on the DWP? What if it was a family with young children and they were to go without benefits for prolonged times, even if the parents forgot to sign on a few times.

Will they not apply for crisis loans which will always be given if children are malnurished and they are sure to never be paid back if there is no benefit to take it out of?

Seriously what will happen if a family with young children have their benefits cut? Will we once again have starving children begging on street corners?

I would imagine and hope that Social Services (child protection unit) at that point would get involved.

Clearly for someone to get to the point of the DWP not making payments due to sanctions would mean that they have not complied with the rules as well as putting their children's lives and health at great risk.

Personally I would see those parents as not being fit and that the children should be taken off them and placed into temporary care. That would then be followed up with court action for the parents to explain to a court why they were so irresponsible.

falldown7timesgetup8

tomsanderson617 wrote: »

Its all very well to keep saying "well if they cant afford to pay for the kids without any benefits then they should not have had kids" Yes that's true but what about all the women who now have had kids and rely on benefits?
QUOTE]

I dont think those women made those children on their own.....

tomsanderson617

coffeelover65 wrote: »

If it ever happened we'd probably see transitional arrangements as that's what they usually do. For example, anybody that has kids now would continue to receive the current CB entitlement but say for new parents who give birth in 12 months, the new rules would apply if they ever implemented for example a 2 child max policy.

Don't go telling too many people that, all these girls will be out trying to get pregnant while they can still get lots of money.