Can we have a dedicated benefits bashing forum?

@Normallynumb Yes, I think they will likely make it harder to claim for ND and MH conditions (which, controversially, I support). I would also support removing reviews completely for incurable physical conditions and permanent disabilities like yours and mine, and for some developmental disabilities once a final review in settled adulthood has been done. At a certain point it becomes redundant to keep reviewing and a waste of money / simply a burden on the claimant. There should be a rarely used pathway for permanent awards for things like Down Syndrome, (truly) rare genetic conditions, etc.

Yes that's what I have light touch review after 10 years
ESA SG without future assessment( waste of time and money)
I believe they will reverse the criteria for MH/ND conditions as this was widened hence the increase of claimants
New claims of LCWRA reduced as changes to WCA( including possibly of WFH for claimants with Mobility issues.

@Normallynumb I presume you mean an indefinite PIP award with light touch reassessment in ten years, as this is the highest award possible. I have this award too, but it doesn't mean I can't see and acknowledge that the current system is flawed.

Exchanged not enchanted!

The above is the reality of having a disability it's not a windfall by any means.

It would be nice if posters displayed empathy and kindness before posting such ignorant and narrow minded opinions
I actually think this should be pinned at the top of threads
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing
Speaking as someone on high rates of both components of PIP and ESA without reassessment
I don't think a benefits topic would make any difference. Posters to not magically become intelligent and well informed
I really don't understand why people are resentful of those living with disabilities
No takers when I've asked if posters would like my disability in enchanted for my PIP
I have moderate CP which is deteriorating as I age.

I absolutely hate benefit bashing, it’s utterly awful to make people guilty for claiming something to which they are entitled. It’s particularly hard to fraudulently claim anything these days. The hoops that people who require DLA/PIP are made to jump through is frankly so terrifying that many never claim. Those that do are most often denied, only to later be awarded after having to go through a mandatory reconsideration and tribunal. I think it’s something like more than 70 percent of cases are overturned and awarded at tribunal. That should make it clear to anyone that it’s not a simple or easy process, and that anyone who has been lucky enough to be awarded does indeed deserve it and that it has likely been hard won! How awful is it that it should be this hard and such an upsetting process for people already suffering to claim the support that they are entitled to.

Far more goes unclaimed in benefits than is fraudulently claimed, and the largest part of the benefits bill is pensions!

People ought to point the finger where it really belongs! Successive governments who have misappropriated and plundered public funds, privatised essential services in the name of capitalism and under the guise of innovation and competitive markets and cost saving. That’s the problem when you make essential services a for profit racket, it simply does not lead to cost savings on the public purse, it leads to very much needed services being driven by profit and greed! Huge bonuses being paid out to shareholders and the like, while arguments and strikes are had over workers wanting to be paid a wage they can live on.

The government would rather point the finger and the benefits bill, or indeed at anything else that they can other than themselves. Each government blames its failures on the previous one and it seems nobody takes responsibility or accountability for anything at all!! They would love nothing more than for everyone to be here arguing over X down the road who has a brand new car and just got back from 3 weeks in the Maldives and is on PIP 🙄

No, I don't see them as attacks or trolling. Genuine debate is healthy and shouldn't be shut down. I'll treat anyone with respect who approaches a topic with an open mind, even if they're arguing a point I disagree with.

But I do think there's an argument for shutting down or least discouraging blind bigotry. Certain well-worn tropes are being peddled on MN with increasing frequency atm, and are couched in such a way that anyone can tell from a mile off that the poster just wants - well, to create a lonely little echo chamber, ironically. You can see it in the indignation with which any rebuttal is treated. There's absolutely zero interest in seeing other POVs from these people, if there was they'd express themselves differently. I've reacted to a few recently and ended up kicking myself for wasting my time, because the pp in question just wants to be agreed with, not to discuss. I won't be clicking on them in future.

However, while anyone is free to click away from a conversation that isn't sitting right with them, I also believe that these endless benefit bashing/disability bashing threads are creating a harmful culture on MN in themselves, in that they are normalising this sort of bashing. As opposed to constructive talk around the flaws of the benefit system, I mean. As far as I can see they benefit no one except the OPs and those who share their prejudices.

Fully support this motion

Also pension pot money.

I've said before the benefits system is demeaning and in a lot of cases bare your soul particularly disabled benefit,ADP was better than the UC 50health assessment which was horrendous.
I wouldn't wish the benefits system on my worst enemy, easy money it is not.
For those that think it is all it takes is a redundancy,illness, accident,over 55 and it all changes and you're in a situation you never evisaged.
I used my own money to avoid benefit system whilst looking for work off my on back and had to admit defeat after using redundancy/savings.

Also, benefits money is going to line the pockets of people who have been pretty exploitative. And not necessarily the fault of the person who's claiming the benefits.

There was a poster on here a few months ago, I believe she had two dc, one of whom was disabled. She got around 3300 ish in benefits every month and the lions share of that was going on rent. Rent to a landlord who had acquired the property under RTB and was then letting it out to the poster, who was paying the extortionate rent with benefit money.

Now although that poster isn't at fault, and the landlord had presumably done nothing illegal, the situation stinks. This guy was having his pockets lined to the tune of over 20k per year by the taxpayer.

Debate is fine, and discussion about the benefits system as a whole is fine. But these threads always descend into offering up a relative or neighbour and their financial details as a way to benefit bash, often with accusations of them faking things for money.
And people who are on benefits on these threads get questioned as to what they get and what they spend it on, and I don't think they are asked in good faith.

Aye the horse had truly bolted before the stable door shut.

The benefits bill would be a lot less if Right to buy didn't happen this letting in buy to let and exorbitant rents for those on benefits and working.
Glad rtb ceased in Scotland in 2015.

It could be called 'My Mates Brother..' and have lots of stories about people who DEFINITELY aren't in any way disabled but get FULL BENEFITS cos they said they felt sad! As we all know that is exactly how it works.

Perhaps with some stories about people who use wheelchairs and 'Free Cars' when they were seen walking once, so they are clearly FINE

@imtheholidayarmadillo

You must have been reading different threads than I have, if that's been your experience.

Or you see any posts that you disagree with as attacks or trolling.

It's the same with the feminism chat board. Posters who couldn't handle the discussion whinged and moaned until they got their own little dull corner of the site to themselves. They wanted to shut down discussion, but ended up creating their own lonely little echo chamber.

Er, no, if the auditing and investigation system worked fine, they would have stopped this gang before they got to that extreme level of theft. Finding out having lost 54 million is like saying a doctor is great because he saved a person, having killed 50 people first.

You must have been reading different threads than I have, if that's been your experience.

"No trolling, misleading or deliberately inflammatory behaviour"

@PinkPonyPugClub Well that’s great, you’re making it work for you and that’s to be applauded. It’s every man for himself in this game of life.

I get it don't worry about it.

I genuinely do - it’s roughly the amount I want to save for jollies each month and it saved me having to remember to do it. Although a little increase would be nice as prices this summer are ridiculous!

@Coffeeishot My bad, no worries! I'm probably being too sensitive reading this thread tbh. Apologies