Controversial use of benefit money?

[1Ivebeenthinking]

Imagine an autistic person, unemployed, very little to no prospects of employment (due to systematic failures). They will avoid eating and make themselves ill, but it’s not AFRID because they will eventually eat, just not enough or often enough, and eating foods they don’t like make them feel ill, and results in their behaviour and mood being worse.

They will willingly eat more expensive, quality foods that are deemed as luxury like fresh fish, steak and berries as the texture and taste doesn’t bother them like cheaper versions do.
Do you think this autistic person has a legitimate reason for using their benefits to pay for more expensive foods? Will they be judged for this because people in work can’t afford it?

There is a fruit/veg market in my town twice a week. At the end of the day there, they are selling 4 big punnets of strawberries for £2, sometimes £1.

Or mixed blueberry and raspberry bags for the same price. They get rid of all the soft fruits at close for super cheap. I always grab some.

Strawberries keep well in glass jars in the fridge.

It sounds perfectly reasonable to me OP. It sounds like the way autism impacts them is the reason they're on benefits. So spending it on healthy food like this sounds absolutely ok.

The one piece of advice I will give is that it's best to keep all information ref benefits private. It is nobody's business. I wouldn't tell anyone about where income comes from. If it's you or someone else, just keep it to yourself.

People can be really jealous, bitter and resentful out there.

Failures in what?

Are you that person?

It’s no one else’s business but theres. Much better than spending it on cigs and booze in my opinion but none of my business anyway!

By the very definition, an autistic person does not think or behave in the way a NT person would. That's the reason they are receiving the benefits in the first place.

I use my DS DLA yo pay for steak, salmon etc and also sky and bt sports. They are what helps him

The benefits are given for people to use as they see fit within reason. As long as all bills are paid on time and they aren’t requesting food from the food bank /other charity providers because they don’t have enough money by week 3 of the month it’s fine to buy whatever they like. Also cooking good food yourself is economical compared to take aways, eating out and alcohol!!!

for £35 (cost of one Chinese for 2) I can buy enough steak for a modest portion daily!

it’s not a luxury to live on benefits, nor is it a luxury to have a disability. Why would anyone think about this stuff anyway, why would they care?

Those are not luxury foods: protein, omega 3s, 6s and antioxidants.
Unless you buy them from Fortnum and Masons. :-)

Is this what we’ve come to? Disabled people are so despised that they’re begrudged protein now?

Exactly this. The money is used to meet the person’s needs, doesn’t matter if that’s gym membership, sky sports or fillet steak. If it helps their well being that can only be a good thing.

Good quality food is a necessity imho, not a luxury. This isn’t some Dickensian universe where anyone on the dole can only eat gruel.

I used DD’s PIP for riding lessons. It’s what got her out and happy 🤷‍♀️.

I have m.e. and developed multiple food/additive allergies and intolerances. My diet consists solely of home made bread, white rice and certain meats fruits and vegetables. It is really expensive as they must be good quality and very fresh. Luckily, I receive PIP; without it I would die of malnourishment (my GP told me this) and I am already a bag of bones.

It’s nothing to do with anyone how benefit money is spent!

Can think of more controversial uses for the money! Food seems a good idea to me.

Prioritising fresh healthy food is entirely sensible. I’m not sure why anyone would think it was controversial.

This thread has been a breath of fresh air. Assuming the OP is on about themselves, then all comments have been supportive.
However, on other threads you can and do get people saying they work full time and can't afford steak etc, so why should people on benefits enjoy it etc.

Genuinely can’t see the issue with buying fresh healthy food.

(declaration of interest - I get PIP and I bloody love raspberries. Just ate a whole punnet. So shoot me)

I can't imagine why you think anyone would complain about a person's benefits being spent on wholesome, fresh, nutritious, unprocessed foods. If only more benefits were spent that way we'd be a better, healthier country for it.

They can spend it on anything they like. I don’t understand why you’re asking.

I wouldn’t judge anyone for using their benefit money to buy nice healthy foods. I’ve been off on long term sickness for nearly a year with cancer. I buy a lot of blueberries and fancy noodles and miso paste. It’s what I can eat. Not something I even thought about. I’m not eating beige freezer food. 🤢

Two pages of reasonable people! 😍

Bloody hell - why should buying fresh meat, fish and fruit be a misuse of benefits (I assume you mean PIP?) Eating healthily is what the government and the NHS are desperately trying to get us all to do and an autistic person will function better on a nutrient rich diet anyway. Frankly, how they spend their PIP is noone’s business.

Are people on benefits of any kind only allowed to eat junk food and scavenge in dustbins?