Nobody is allowed to choose not to work. Fed up of hearing this expression.

You will have read my post above.

What do you suggest regarding a fit and able, single 34 year old, who hasn't worked for five years? What are the reasons for him being able to do this?

He isn't under pressure to find work, he doesn't even mention work. Lives cheaply, enjoys his hobbies. Has completed one training course.

Being out of work isn't good for him and isn't good for the tax payer, when so many other services and people could benefit from the money.

Is he fraudulent? Could you be found out or reported by others?

If they're incapable of working? No. They'll just go hungry.

Are you always like this?

A neighbour of mine has recently retired, apart from a retail job in her late teens , she has never worked. Her husband, likewise. The thought of work absolutely terrified her. I have to bite my tongue a bit as I'm still getting up at 4 am to clean offices to supplement my pension at 75.

What jobs? Are you in a cushy job right now?
It is awful out there for people looking. A few threads about it right now.

🤷‍♀️

Or they could get jobs.

No, they'd just starve.

I did go hungry and had to have intervention and admit I needed benefits.

I would like to see a #MeToo campaign of peopel that are being affected by the proposed cuts. There are already lots of them.

Good for you. It could be you one day. Because who the government sees as "shirkers" keeps changing

I'm indifferent to shirkers that refuse to work living in poverty.

If they didn't have benefits, they'd be forced to sort out their attitudes or they'd go hungry.

If someone started a #MeToo online campaign where people could cite real life examples of people they know who milk the system, I wonder what the response would be; so many people claim to know “lazy benefit claimants.” How many actually exist?

I know a family that choose not to work. The mum supposedly has anxiety and agrophobia, but is regularly posting on FB about going out and about all over the place and going clubbing with her friends. The dad was her ‘full time carer’ despite the fact that she had no care needs, but then decided he had his own disabilities, and has managed to claim disability benefit himself. Both also receive PIP, and despite neither working, they fail every morning to get their child to school on time (a short 15 minute walk away from their house but a taxi calls for the child every day, and is kept waiting at least 20-30 mins). They absolutely choose not to work and in fact the mum brags about it openly. I have a serious illness (cancer) and yet would not qualify for PIP as I would be honest on the forms.

When I first went to the job centre to claim UC I was told I would have to apply for EVERYTHING. Including driving jobs when I am not allowed to drive.
Thankfully, my work coach was really understanding. She saw me and said she could not in any good faith make me apply for jobs as it was plain to see I was struggling. Before I had sick notes, she switched off the work requirement thing. One time, I was a no show and she didn't even mention sanctions. She told me to avoid the press. She was actually a really nice and understanding person.

I am on benefits and am not bringing in anymore than anyone working. My income is £800 each month. If you are on your own with no kids then you don't get much.
I am on LCRWA because I am classed as high risk to myself and others becose of a combination of autism and mental illness. I would change that if I could.
I don't sit on my backside. I do crafts in the day and have a dog that I care for. I go to several different support groups in the week. I have a boyfriend that does all of my life admin and makes sure I am safe when I go out. My mum takes me shopping and to other places if needed.
I am not on PIP. I used to work. I worked a lot of jobs and got bullied, fired or managed out including the NHS.
I am not on PIP so will lose the LCRWA. Who is going to employ me? If I get overwhelmed I either shutdown or meltdown. I already have a police record for meltdowns. I am scared to go out alone incase it happens again.

Mmm is this rage bate for daily fail readers?!
Probably not meant to be.

Spot on. And generation after generation see it as a way of life and on and on it goes.

What percentage of claimants committing benefit fraud would be an acceptable/ unacceptable number?

What’s the tipping point for you?

No, I don’t have empathy for anyone who cheats the system. For anyone who genuinely needs it then I have no problem

I think you need your eyes opened.
A lot of people on benefits are bringing in a damn site more than someone working full time on minimum pay, a lot are bringing in over £3,000 a month and more.
A lot are on lcwra so don’t have to do anything to get their benefits.
A lot who have kids under a certain age are not expected to look for work.
a lot of messages about places hiring or offers of placements are followed by messages saying to ignore it if you’re not interested in the message.
a lot are sat on their backsides thinking I’m not going to work to pay my rent if upwards to £1,000 depending on area when the government are paying it for me and paying me more on top that I couldn’t earn.
Think about it, rent £800 standard allowance £400 lcwra £415 pip minimum £405 that’s before throwing kids allowance into the mix £297 for each child and then the child needs care for adhd another £400 being able to claim carers allowance and DLA for the child.
Making sense yet!
a lot don’t want work and the minority get hit because of it.

Don’t be so short sighted. The child will be in full time school in two years time. She’ll be still claiming many years down the line. I hope she’s reassessed soon and it’s taken away. It’s not fair or right.

This!

Not having empathy is not morally right, yet here we are.

The thing is so many of us know people where this is not the case. Or where people have cited poor mental health when it's a lie. I knew someone who literally boasted about the fact that they claimed they had anxiety to claim benefits. It's terrible as there are people who are genuinely suffering and cannot work, but the system seems unable to differentiate them from those who just seek to abuse the system.