Quote:
Originally Posted by X4biddenxLustX
How easy is it to get benefit in the UK, I'm just curious? I'm not really sure how easy it is here in the U.S., my family when I was younger was on foodstamps for a short time but stopped. Were only receiving Medicaid and assistance with some of our utilities and that's it. From what I have heard it's not all that easy to get on SSI benefits, disability or unemployment really. Now I'm not saying that there aren't people in the U.S. that abuse the system because believe me, there are a TON! But it sucks knowing that the money you have to work for doesn't go to more important things. I am all for helping out families or individuals who are in actually need of help but being lazy isn't a reason.
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To be honest, I don't really know for sure because obviously I haven't tried lol. I can give you examples I personally know of but I don't know how you actually go about gaining it!
Benefits
That website explains some of it.
But, I'm probably gonna get slammed for saying but this is my 'middle class' views and probably my nearly 60 year old parents opinions rubbing off on me haha... I get the impression all you need to do is go to the doctor with a twinge in your back and your signed off sick for a year. I remember there was a scandal around my area about a doctor that everyone would go to because word got round he'd sign you off sick for anything hah. I know not always we don't know the full story behind everything, but theres been SO many times when I've seen cars pull into disabled parking spaces with disabled badges, and they get out of the car fine, walk away fine, and you think, wtf?! Of course there are people who own cars and are not disabled themselves, but the badge is for a member of family/friend etc who they drive around, but they shouldn't be using it without them in the car lol.
One example I have of one situation illustrating how easy it can be to get benefits in the UK is a woman who works for my mum. My mum runs a cleaning contractors company (they clean offices, businesses etc). One of their employees works under 16 hours a week and specifically asked for no more than 16 hours a week as if you work more than that you will lose your benefits (which benefits i don't know... income support i think). Her husband is the same, not working for the same company but same thing, less than 16 hours. Theres no reason for this employee of my mum's not to work more than 16 hours a week as far as she is aware - she isn't disabled etc, as far as my mum is concerned she just is lazy as horrible as that sounds. A couple of months ago, their house got repossesed as they couldn't afford their mortgage payments, which of course isn't a very nice thing to happen at all. They went to the local Borough Council about it and were put to the top of a waiting list for housing as they had children which is fair enough. They now live a 5 bedroom brand new house paying only £100 a month rent of what should be £1200 (the council are paying the rest), when in reality, this employee could go out and get a job and work full time along with her husband so they could have paid their mortgage payments in the first place! I know it sounds an awful thing to say what I just said, but its truth. People who work hard don't get rewarded, but those who don't want to work more than 16 hours a week now live a lovely house in a nice area! ughh does my brain in.
Obviously I'm not saying that everyone is like it as there are obviously individuals and families who genuinely need help and appreciate these benefits, but you read so many stories about not necessarily benefit fraud, but just what appears to be laziness, and it makes you think 'where does my tax money go?'
