holiday vouchers whilst on dla/dca

duchy

Trouble is there are always people who will play the system.

A few years ago a woman who I was fairly friendly with when our kids were babies but had turned into an aquaintance over the years invited me around for coffee.

Her son who was about 6 at the time was diagnosed with Leukemia and we were talking about his treatment and prognosis. She then started to list all the things they as family had got from various charities. New clothes, a top of the range TV for her son's bedroom, trip to Florida to Disney, trip to Centerparks -and on and on. She was never offered anything - but actively sought it out -she also commented that she was pleased she had approached a charity to get a new microwave for the family flat at a London teaching hospital but was bitterly disappointed it wouldn't be delivered until after her son's treatment was ended -and grumbled that it "wasn't fair" she didn't "get anything out of it".
I was horrified - getting "stuff" because of her son's illness had become her hobby and obsession -and quite honestly I felt sick. She was a stay at home Mum (alway -not just since her son's diagnosis) and her husband earned a good salary -they didn't need a lot of the odd bits and pieces (there was a spare room brimming with all kinds of treats still unopened -games, couple of consoles, toys etc all from charities) .

To me she was abusing the system -and when I said "But does E NEED all this stuff?" " Her reply was "Does it matter ? We're entitled to it" I made my excuses and left.
Other than DLA and the odd front of the line pass at Disney (holiday paid for myself) I've never claimed anything for my son -she thinks I'm stupid not to. She told me so !

So I can see why people worry about entitlement -but nonetheless I do believe these schemes are wonderful but need to be administered properly to stop people like my one time friend from taking the pee.

shegirl

duchy wrote: »

Trouble is there are always people who will play the system.

A few years ago a woman who I was fairly friendly with when our kids were babies but had turned into an aquaintance over the years invited me around for coffee.

Her son who was about 6 at the time was diagnosed with Leukemia and we were talking about his treatment and prognosis. She then started to list all the things they as family had got from various charities. New clothes, a top of the range TV for her son's bedroom, trip to Florida to Disney, trip to Centerparks -and on and on. She was never offered anything - but actively sought it out -she also commented that she was pleased she had approached a charity to get a new microwave for the family flat at a London teaching hospital but was bitterly disappointed it wouldn't be delivered until after her son's treatment was ended -and grumbled that it "wasn't fair" she didn't "get anything out of it".
I was horrified - getting "stuff" because of her son's illness had become her hobby and obsession -and quite honestly I felt sick. She was a stay at home Mum (alway -not just since her son's diagnosis) and her husband earned a good salary -they didn't need a lot of the odd bits and pieces (there was a spare room brimming with all kinds of treats still unopened -games, couple of consoles, toys etc all from charities) .

To me she was abusing the system -and when I said "But does E NEED all this stuff?" " Her reply was "Does it matter ? We're entitled to it" I made my excuses and left.
Other than DLA and the odd front of the line pass at Disney (holiday paid for myself) I've never claimed anything for my son -she thinks I'm stupid not to. She told me so !

So I can see why people worry about entitlement -but nonetheless I do believe these schemes are wonderful but need to be administered properly to stop people like my one time friend from taking the pee.

There are plenty like it.I think I've mentioned this one before,but a while back there was a woman selling 4 week old,good quality,washing machine and tumble drier on a facebook selling page.The reason for selling them was she had just heard back from the Family Fund granting her the same items.So she'd asked for them,wen and bought some anyway so clearly had no 'need' for charity to fund it,then was awarded and thought she'd make her money back!!!

One of the worst things though is there are disability workers and other 'professionals' who do encourage people to get whatever they can.I remember my sons old disability worker suggesting I should get get charity provisions for new carpet and bed when I was redecorating ds room a few years back,I didn't need it,I had the money to pay myself!The recent one,after ds smashed my tv up,suggested asking the OT to fund an £800 tv unit that would protect the replacement.I wouldn't dream of asking for that and don't want that,I want them to put his bloomin services right to reduce his anxiety! Ask family fund for holiday,nope maintenance pays for that (although guess who's now gone self employed and doesn't pay a penny...).

When it comes to FF there are those who will tell you to apply every year and 'to think' of something you'd like.

poet123

It is hard though isn't it?

On the face of it your friend qualified for the items, and beyond that how far do you dig before you put people off applying who are already in a rough place. Sick and disabled children are all consuming and many parents simply wouldn't have the mental strength to jump through the hoops required to really keep these schemes watertight. Nor would the charities have the legal or physical ability to check facts given beyond a certain level.

It is very distasteful that some abuse the system but I think we do have to accept that the majority don't, and that to help the many these schemes are worthwhile, even if a few who are not really as worthy sneak in too.

shegirl

poet123 wrote: »

It is hard though isn't it?

On the face of it your friend qualified for the items, and beyond that how far do you dig before you put people off applying who are already in a rough place. Sick and disabled children are all consuming and many parents simply wouldn't have the mental strength to jump through the hoops required to really keep these schemes watertight. Nor would the charities have the legal or physical ability to check facts given beyond a certain level.

It is very distasteful that some abuse the system but I think we do have to accept that the majority don't, and that to help the many these schemes are worthwhile, even if a few who are not really as worthy sneak in too.

That's the difficulty.It would almost impossible to tighten it enough to prevent abuse.I know FF now tell people to keep receipts for a couple of years,payout holidays in ways to lessen abuse as there were people selling them on etc.But there isn't much that could really prevent taking the pee