Jodie Marsh is on Benefits?

[butlerbabies]

Hi, I just had a few questions really. Did you enjoy the programme?

I really don't understand a few things, but I'll admit I'm more or less very ignorant/naïve towards the benefits system.

To the lady at the food bank who looked malnourished, how can she not be able to feed herself at times? With 5 children, she should get her housing paid for, child benefit, child tax credits and income support. I'm not saying being on those benefits isn't a struggle, but surely she should be able to feed herself? I'm only questioning it because I do know people who're leaving solely off benefits and they're okay, their children never go without really and they themselves don't look deprived.

As for the gentlemen of whom is seeking work, I can understand how badly he struggles because as a single adult, you're not entitled to much (unless you've a health condition), and that money he's on is purely to keep him going until he finds a job (which seems to be endlessly difficult for him).

What were your thoughts on the programme, overall? I really like Jodie Marsh but I think she came across as quite harsh in the beginning.

Thank you for reading

[Yankeetarts19]

Don't think you get all your housing paid,could be wrong,but she will have other bills to pay as well,also aren't benefits capped so she may not get enough

[howtorebuild]

They probably had no financial cushion built up, to cover them for the pit falls of life.

[Ineeda]

The cap of benefits is £500 a week (not including disability and any housing benefits paid, these are exceptions), which is more than enough to live relatively comfortably a week.

Other bills would include gas/electric (Do people on income support get help with this, I wonder? Probably not, I don't remember my Mum getting anything). Then there's water bill, and phone.

Anything else is a luxury, isn't it?

[Yankeetarts19]

It maybe luxury but if they have bought things or loans they still need paying

[Aliceinwonderlust]

It does usually come down to debt. Benefits usually would give her enough to live off but when people massively struggle is often as above, an unexpected expense or a treat they've taken out debt for. Then they get in a spiralling problem of expensive repayments and the debt increases.

[Ineeda]

Yanker, ahh, completely forgot about those (loans/debts).

However, the way it was filmed was as if everyone with 5 children would be in the exact same situation if on benefits, which isn't the case.

[Yankeetarts19]

No your right it wouldn't be the same for everyone,but I can see why they would struggle

[FeelingSmurfy]

Just watching it, the first woman on has been on another programme, she had thousands of pounds of rent debt, ended up with a bigger house (so thats the old house) and that debt was just wiped off

[Ineeda]

Feeling I think struggling is somewhat normal for anyone in serious debt, benefits or not.

Enjoy the programme

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

OP you have to realise that these programmes arent an Attenborough documentary. They exist for two reasons:

1. To show that people on benefits are "other". Create a 'them" and "us" mentality.
   

1. To paint benefits claimants in the worst possible light. The people featured and the editing is carefully done to this end.
   

Watching these programmes is a very small step up from watching Jeremy Kyle. It's just an opportunity to sneer at other people and pick their lives apart, whilst feeling virtuous and relieved that you are not them.

[ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight]

The benefit cap is real if you are in the south east. I know a family of 2 kids in temporary accommodation (rates set higher than usual housing benefit levels as a bribe for landlords to supply properties to the council) and with the weekly rent plus child tax credit and ESA they bump the ceiling. Meaning mum has to pay £30 a week towards rent. Plus all the usual utilities, public transport yo get the kids to school, food, and that's her income gone.
When the kids need school uniform or shoes or just general costs she has nothing in the pot to pay for it.
You may think that people on benefits should never take out credit but they do. Paying bright house or littlewoods or provident can easily push you into poverty some weeks.

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

and any housing benefits paid, these are exceptions), which is more than enough to live relatively comfortably a week

It's actually HB that goes down to keep you under the cap so in reality it does include housing benefit!

And no you don't get free utilities if you are on benefits,

With water low income households that have other criteria can get onto a scheme that means there water will not be higher than an average household in that area, it's like a cap on the bill (for want of a better way of putting it)

Certain people on certain benefits can get a small credit to their electricity if their supplier signs up to the scheme but in all fairness it does not make the electricity any cheaper than people who use say utilita (who do not have the scheme)

Not all areas offer any help with school trips and uniforms, her having 5 kids does not protect her from unexpected costs or sanctions

[BarbaraofSeville]

If people, whether working or on benefits, have debts that are stopping them from paying basic household costs, then they need debt advice and perhaps to go on a debt management plan/bankrupcy etc. Once they are in the debt advice 'system' they will be advised to stop paying their debts and only pay what they can afford after they have paid their necessary household costs (rent, food, bills etc).

[Aliceinwonderlust]

Barbara, you are right but don't forget we're not necessarily talking about the very catalogue or wonga. Often people are in debt to doorstop lenders who sadly pay no heed to debt management plans. In fact, most companies will continue trying to get money out of you outside of the agreed debt management plan and even the respectable companies will
Be incredibly intimidating about it