Thread 1 Burnham: Esperanza en cada Corazón

[DuncinToffee]

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Shame all the benefit bashers aren’t bothered by all the unpaid tax.

Oh, I found something, but not the pie chart. 2025 - overpayment due to fraudulent claims = 2.2%. Down from 2.7% the year before.
2.2% could be better, of course, but hardly an example of disability benefits needing an ‘axe’ (what a curiously….violent image, my goodness) taking to them.

Even the ones that can read struggle with numbers.

The undim will notice that unclaimed benefits far exceeds the fraud too.

Thank you @SerendipityJane !

Most of the benefits that go unclaimed are pension credits and carers allowance. Re pension credits people either don't understand the process or are too ashamed to ask for it. Carers allowance, because people are afraid they have to repay thousands back.

Which then has a knock on effect with NI credits for a pension.

The complexity of the pension credit claim form doesn’t help. Nor does the stigma created by those earning £100k+ who think they’re treated so badly and are so much more deserving.

Quite. It's a vicious circle.

"AI" is quite good at some guidance through the system.

Which is spectacularly unhelpful to the tech illiterate who will be over represented in potential pension credit claimants.

Which doesn't obviate the fact that it can help someone helping someone in a way that wasn't possible even 5 years ago.

I think I know who our newest friend is.

I’ve got a fair idea too.

The problem with getting help from a friend or a family member re pension credits is an admission that you don't have much money to live on, and people can be incredibly embarrassed about that, so prefer not to keep the heating on in winter and will eat less.

Thomasina ten names?

Exactly.

I'd change that to recover post Trump

There is a saying about leading a horse to water.

How would you address the issue ?

Simplify the forms.

This is so true. Millions of pounds worth of PC goes unclaimed which means there are pensioners living in awful poverty that could be alleviate.

And me - makes name-changing a bit pointless

When sanity returns to the White House, sure. Until then, there's no point pandering to the orange loon. He'll promise you the earth and call you the devil a week later.

That is because they are busy cheering on those who exploit tax loopholes with complex financial arrangements.

It's incredibly tricky. A bit like trying to get a cleaner in for your parent, who can easily afford it, or having that discussion about giving up driving.

I think there should be a push by the DWP, re day time advertising on the TV, social media, etc, to actively encourage those that need it to apply.

Also social community hubs should be a gateway to lending confidential voice and hand, without judgement.

MPs should have dedicated time to engage quietly with the hubs and offer extra help.

In what way ? To require less information ? Bigger print ? "Simplify" is a very versatile word.