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?

The benefit bashing threads on MN are absolute bin fires and I’d encourage everyone to ignore them. People on benefits are entitled to spend them how they see fit, and I think OP is very wise if she’s spending hers on nutritious food.

It’s no body’s business how people choose to spend their money

https://www.thompson-morgan.com/fruit/fruit-plants/raspberry-plants?acq_source=[med:ad][src:g][cid:811957379][gid:40136535537]&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=811957379&adgroup_id=40136535537&source=google&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_t6fqzIVr-ucDqH302S6cvomCyi&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiLLABhCEARIsAJYS6umNqT4xb6K_3dYpPp_E1sVdfWTxiITtvzIE3uBSJ-KIKRVmtxMNHpwaAuoYEALw_wcB

Absolutely fine, it’s a higher household expense due to a specific condition which is what PIP is for.

Ah, the "grow your own" thing. Not everyone has a garden, and not everyone has green fingers. Plants come to me to die 😅
I try to grow my own stuff, but I tend to grow things that are hard to find in shops anyway like spaghetti squash or yellow courgettes.
I have an apricot tree that has given me the grand total of 4 apricots in the 2 years I have had it.

There’s no legitimate or illegitimate use of disability benefits. It’s their money and it’s not anyone’s business what they’re spending it on providing they’re safe and not breaking any laws.

People (both rich and poor) have food preferences.

This shouldn’t be news.

I judge you a teeny bit for even asking the question.

Holy shit, when did fresh healthy food become a luxury?? Why should people on benefits only eat unhealthy UPF garbage??

Sounds reasonable to me. Also ok to order takeaways if they are unable to cook. Benefits don't have to be spent in a specific way, everyone is different.

If not incurring in debt it’s no one’s business how you spend your money.

A big chunk of my wage goes towards food. Yes, I could be eating far cheaper, of course. I could swap most of it for cheaper alternatives. But then I’d be fucking miserable eating food I don’t enjoy at all.

This idea that anyone has the right to control people’s benefit money is awful , using a person with special needs as a example makes it even worse imo . People should use their budget as they wish

Sounds healthy and appropriate.
I guess if you’re feeling guilty about taxpayers or whatever you could try and shop ethically/ locally.

Fgs. They’re eating whatever they feel is appropriate.
Are you really saying disabled people are only allowed the cheap stuff and not the better quality stuff?
Why? Are they supposed to suffer because they’re disabled on the top of suffering from their disability? Maybe that’s not enough suffering/struggles for you and you need to add poor quality food to it (so they’re getting unhealthy due to their diet too)….

For a start you’re going to get backlash on this because a high percentage of MN users are claiming benefits/& or have kids with a myriad of MH/educational/social/special needs & are equally ‘entitled’ as those who don’t claim anything so good luck.
As a response to your question, I don’t see it as a massive issue, imo steak isn’t a luxury nor is any food that is nutritious & as long as the money can support every aspect of their life then I guess that’s fine.

This thread is about me, but I was worried that someone would come onto say that because I can post on the internet I can work. And I didn’t want unsolicited advice on finding a job, badgering questions about why, and asking for my life story
after the threads about benefit bashing, I was worried that it might be wrong to use it the way that I do. I’m glad about the responses

But if you didn’t post anything no one can judge you (because some will). You don’t have to declare to anyone how much you spend on food

You wont get that from me. I can post on MN, but also can't work.
Enjoy your good food :)

Exactly, and don't want to sound mean, but honestly your diet and what you eat are really not that interesting to others, the majority of people will have enough stress going on with family, work, general life to care about your meal planning!

I really struggle with my executive functioning the most. I’m lucky if I manage to read a few chapters of a book in a day, or spend much time on any hobby for that matter. I have issues around my self worth and feeling like I don’t deserve these things like berries which are expensive because I’m not contributing enough. I could never earn what I get in benefits. I feel guilty that I can’t do more or manage more. I don’t live a normal life and feel left out. I’m also worried that eating healthy makes it look as though I’m not autistic enough, and I don’t want to be under suspicion as well. It’s complicated

Good Lord, if this isn’t you ( or someone close to you and the post has another purpose)and you actually are this invested in someone’s else’s diet/weekly budget - irrespective of where it comes from , I would suggest getting out more !

I’m sorry that you feel that you should have to justify any way you spend the money especially as it’s eating well. As long as you’re happy, healthy & are well then you should live as you please. Benefits are there to help people, sure they are abused by a minority but ultimately if you need them then it’s your choice how you spend them. X

Be kind to yourself, @1Ivebeenthinking

You're using your money for a special diet that's ASD-ARFID related.

The press and others have done a good job making people like us, those on benefits, that we are to blame for the financial hole the UK is in.
Ignore them. We are just trying to get by as best we can.
We still deserve things that make us feel healthy and good. Once the benefit money is in our bank account, it is ours to spend how we see fit.
I am autistic too, and I know autistic people whose special interest is keeping fit and healthy eating.

You can spend your benefits on whatever you like, they're there to help people who need support, and you need the support. I'm happy to pay taxes rather than live in a country where you wouldn't get the help you need. You are a member of society and you have every right to help when you need it, as do we all.

I'm sorry you don't value yourself, do you think you could do some voluntary work to build up your self-worth - maybe local neighbourhood clean ups? I've gone to clean ups of a local canal, picking up litter, it's very low stress, but makes the local community much nicer for everyone.

The press has always done that, anyone on benefits is a scrounger according to the press & sadly yes there are people who do exploit it but I honestly believe that most people wouldn’t want to live a life on benefits if they had a choice. Not everyone has the same opportunities for work due to all sorts of issues & most people need some help at some point in their lives, I know I did. It’s a very sad society we live in if people have to justify what food they spend their benefit on