should people on benefit not be allowed to go on holiday?

williewonder

According to my support worker I don't deserve benefits and if it was up to her she'll make me work and according to another support worker in my group home he's adamant that I know how to play the system and faked everything despite him only working here 18 months and not even seeing me psychotic or unwell. I've been sectioned 14 times. I'm on a community treatment order and on a depot.

I go abroad quite alot on holiday and I know the staff are jeloioues, My community nurse and supported living manager filled the benefit forms in and and nothing was exaggerated. My treatment team are supportive of me going on holiday and my community nurse tells me I'm not doing anything wrong.  

Is it wrong that I go abroad when I claim benefits?

Muttleythefrog

It sounds like they need sacking frankly.... I think this is something to take up within that organisation. The world is full of ignorant and opinionated people but they should not be employed in this capacity to demonstrate such at the price of wellbeing and support of those under their responsibility to care for.

No it's not wrong for you to go abroad or on holiday... caveat of course I'd hope it is  suitable for you and your wellbeing.. but in theory yes claiming any benefits should not and does not preclude holidays

MalMonroe

Hi,

I totally agree with Muttley, above.Those 'support' workers are not at all supportive. How awful for you to have to put up with those kind of comments.

I also agree that what they have said should really be reported to the organisation they work for. 

To be honest, I would argue that some people on benefits are those who need holidays the most.

Of course you are not doing anything wrong - and you have the backing of the people who matter - community nurse and supported living manager. 

Those support workers really do need a jolly good talking to. It's sad that they feel they have to make you feel bad - they are probably on low wages but are expected to do many tasks, as many support workers are but they should never take things out on the people they are supposed to be supporting. That's really not on. You shouldn't have to defend yourself to those people. Have a word with your supported living manager or the community nurse about how those comments make you feel, if you don't want to go down the route of reporting the support workers. They obviously need some more training, whatever happens.

All the best to you, try not to worry about comments from one or two ignorant people. 

TELLIT01

Whatever their opinions, and irrespective of whether their beliefs are correct or not (I'm not suggesting they are correct), they should not be making statements like that to a person they are supposed to be providing support to.  Have any of these comments been made in front of witnesses?  I strongly suspect not.

peteuk

Not much of a support, support worker, tbh.

Is there anything stopping you from going abroad, yes depending on what you are claiming ad how long you are going. These are in the eligibility to claim certain benefits. 

From an optics point of view, I somewhat understand where the “support” worker is coming from.  For example if someone didn’t work because they dont want to, get a house for free, car through mobility, use food banks every week etc etc and have 4 holidays abroad a year then yes, as i tax payer id be a little upset, as I work f/t and would struggle to pay for even one holiday. (Please note I am using this as an extreme example not a reflection on the OP)

But its your money and you have the right to choose what you do with it.  As long as your not infringing on the terms of your benefits then I dont see why not. 

williewonder

I normally have one holiday on my own, somewhere which is planned in advance and my deputyship pays this. I have multidisciplinary meeting before I go with my support team, community nurse, social worker, supported living manager for risk assessment. I have a financial assessment and what money I need for holiday.

I have one holiday abroad with my support staff for a week somewhere like Turkey.

huckster

Your last post mentions 2 holidays and your first post says you go on holiday quite a lot.

How may weeks per year do you go on holiday abroad and what is the longest period you are abroad for.

Most support workers provide great support, in helping with everyday activities,  but they are also supposed to try to help people progress to a better future. For example, with support provided people may have improved their mental health and are now is a position to be able to search for suitable employment

Do you feel that your health has significantly improved and you may no longer require the same level of support ?

elsien

Williewonder, you’ve asked before about holidays and benefits and the answer hasn’t changed.
 If you want to go and you can afford to go and it is safe to go and you stay within the DWP rules, then go.
I’d also be making a formal complaint about your staff as well but that’s entirely your choice.

williewonder

huckster said:

Your last post mentions 2 holidays and your first post says you go on holiday quite a lot.

How may weeks per year do you go on holiday abroad and what is the longest period you are abroad for.

Most support workers provide great support, in helping with everyday activities,  but they are also supposed to try to help people progress to a better future. For example, with support provided people may have improved their mental health and are now is a position to be able to search for suitable employment

Do you feel that your health has significantly improved and you may no longer require the same level of support ?

I have an intellectual disability and schizoaffective disorder. I'm with the intellectual disability team. Unlike generic MH teams which are recovery based intellectual disability is holistic and I will get support for life. My team have never mentioned anything about recovery or getting a job in the future just maintaining wellness and my treatment plan is going on holidays to have something to focus on.

I went on 4 holidays last year. Sri Lanka, Ireland, Italy, Turkey. One on my own and rest with other people, no more then 26 days each. I have little outgoings and I don't have to pay for support because of section 117 after care because I'm on a community treatment order

Spoonie_Turtle

peteuk said:

Not much of a support, support worker, tbh.

…

From an optics point of view, I somewhat understand where the “support” worker is coming from.  For example if someone didn’t work because they dont want to, get a house for free, car through mobility, use food banks every week etc etc and have 4 holidays abroad a year then yes, as i tax payer id be a little upset, as I work f/t and would struggle to pay for even one holiday. (Please note I am using this as an extreme example not a reflection on the OP)

But that doesn't happen because those people don't get the highest rates of benefits, only people who can't work because they are disabled do.  Nor would such people continue to receive income-replacement benefits, because job seekers have to prove they are trying to work in order to continue receiving their benefits.  And then losing their benefits because they don't meet their commitments means they don't have money left to go on holidays …
The only people who think that kind of thing happens are people ignorant about the benefits system.  [Which unfortunately is far too large a part of society, but should absolutely not include people working with vulnerable or disabled people.  It's fine to be ignorant, it's not fine to weaponise it by forming judgements based on that ignorance, let alone spout them to the people most harmed by them.]


williewonder I'm sorry your support worker and the other one are so nasty to you.  That is completely unacceptable and they are WRONG.  I really hope you are able to report them out at least confide in someone you trust, in person.  Such awful people should absolutely not be allowed to work with vulnerable or disabled people, their attitudes are absolutely appalling and could cause real harm.

williewonder

It now looks like my community nurse has made a emergency appointment with my psychritist with assess me if I'm well enough to go on holiday because I'm excited and talking very fast as well as being depressed last week. Social worker sniffing around as well turning up today with only 1.30 minutes notice. I had my injection today as well.