Welfare Reform

Growurown

Depth_Charge wrote: »

The problem is that for some people and families is that money is so tight and set to get worse they simply will run dry before the end of the month.

Yes I agree. I think that this is the intention, it forces people to take up low paid jobs. The benefit cap and the bedroom tax is hitting hard, but according to the blurb no one will be worse off on UC. People need to start preparing now for the eventual change over to UC as it is paid in arrears of one calendar month and another week on top of that. When you've been used to money coming in fortnightly that is a long time to wait for payment.

Depth_Charge

Growurown wrote: »

Yes I agree. I think that this is the intention, it forces people to take up low paid jobs. The benefit cap and the bedroom tax is hitting hard, but according to the blurb no one will be worse off on UC. People need to start preparing now for the eventual change over to UC as it is paid in arrears of one calendar month and another week on top of that. When you've been used to money coming in fortnightly that is a long time to wait for payment.

Hi

I agree


Looking at some of the budgeting figures or financial statements of some of the people I see then then it is obvious that there are going to be serious problems especially where they already have debts.

There does seem to be a certain belief by some agencies and individuals that by sitting down with them and helping with budgets including having peoples incomes paid into these jam jar type accounts accounts is going to be a magic wand that will sweep away all past and future benefit, debt and financial problems. Job clubs also get a mention by one debt advice charity.

Of course the real world can be very different indeed and anyone genuinely experienced at the front line in benefits, debt and housing advice will tell you that just tip tapping about with budget sheets alone wont solve anythingand that there has to be a real independent structure to it all.

Also there is a real danger of conflicts of interests developing as perhaps the powers that be look to pass the problems onto the national and perhaps more so local agencies and support groups.

Some of these agencies need to make sure that they dont start to look like becoming the whipping boys of the same people who are implementing these policies.

If they dont heed the above, then they will very quickly be found out, especially at the front end of the face to face advice arena

Trust can be lost and things can easily backfire if we aàre not careful

No easy solution guys, lets do the right thing as some of us will never callaborate or just stand by and watch people and young families get futher into a mess etc, as is already being proven.

My take as always

My take

Growurown

Having worked with a lot of people claiming benefits I know some of them are very good at budgeting and go without if they can't pay. One person just goes to bed in the winter evenings because they can't afford the heating bill.

It's not always the lack of budgeting skills that causes the problem. There are huge issues around addiction, domestic violence and debt. Until these can be resolved budgeting is the last thing on the to do list.

Depth_Charge

Growurown wrote: »

Having worked with a lot of people claiming benefits I know some of them are very good at budgeting and go without if they can't pay. One person just goes to bed in the winter evenings because they can't afford the heating bill.

It's not always the lack of budgeting skills that causes the problem. There are huge issues around addiction, domestic violence and debt. Until these can be resolved budgeting is the last thing on the to do list.

Hi

Absolutely spot on

If you ever move down to the Midlands any time, give me a call

DC

samtoby

I work in the area of Welfare reform and I believe many of the reforms will push people into pockets of deprovation - its all a post code lottery.

A family living in say London have higher rents but the food still costs the same and the clothes yet say a person in Wales where the rents are lower will loose less Housing Benefit depending on their circumstances.

I have one family in one postcode area who will not be affected but another that will be very affected. Both with similar family set ups.

I agree that many people budget well on benefit but if all but .50p of your Housing Benefit goes - how do you pay your rent? (All claimants will keep at the least .50p in payment for Housing Benefit)

Growurown

samtoby wrote: »

I agree that many people budget well on benefit but if all but .50p of your Housing Benefit goes - how do you pay your rent? (All claimants will keep at the least .50p in payment for Housing Benefit)

Sorry I am being dense here, don't quite understand this bit! Could you explain a bit for me?:o

Depth_Charge

Hi

Thought this article from Inside Housing might also be of interest on the subject of Welfare Reform given the bedroom tax scenario and the rest.

Whichever side of the welfare reform debate you are on it does seem to me that it is OK for certain practices to continue for those struggling on benefits and low incomes.

If there are going to be cuts then lets at least give people a chance and safety net instead we see this grubby type of thing along with the payday loans etc.

Campbell Robb tells it like it is here, three cheers for him, all the way Mr Robb

http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/tenancies/shelter-end-letting-agency-fees/6527304.article

Its just my take as always

Depth_Charge

Hi

An interesting article here

'Think tank' says Credit Union rules are burdensome

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22925576

"The government has been encouraging growth in the sector as an alternative to expensive payday lenders"

Its a bit late guys, the PDL companies disappeared over the hill yonks ago.

When are you going to do something about them ? if you dont the Credit Unions will continue to be stuck in the mud and the sales type gimmicks etc just will not work.

My take

[Deleted User]

tpl wrote: »

Or that people feel so helpless or have been conditioned to such an extent, that a healthy, young man just tries to find out how to 'maximise' his benefits first, before realising that he might actually have to support himself with a full time job.

I know what you mean.

I know of one bloke, with a wife and child, who was on the Dole.

On finding out his wife was pregnant again, his first reaction was to pat her belly and announce, to his visiting friends and relatives, "More benefits".

I wish I could say I was shocked, but I'm not, because I know several people, who treat the benefit system as a lifestyle choice.

Of course, the cost of living doesn't help.

The things I wouldn't be paying, if I weren't working (Rent, CT, Car Insurance, Road Tax, Diesel etc.) cost almost 40% of my take home pay.

In effect, I'm taking home less than half the hourly rate at NMW, and working damned long hours for it.

[Deleted User]

Growurown wrote: »

A lot of the time it is because they don't know any other way to live. They have no skills, no education, probably a prison record and not much hope of getting a job.

Perhaps the answer is to get them into education, followed by training, to make them more employable.

Surely education is a better use of their day, than sitting at home, staring at the TV?