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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to envy/hate people on benefits to be as well off if not better than us

999 replies

chocaddict · 08/01/2012 16:08

I know that this post may have some mixed reviews and may even get me slated but I can,t help it.
Someone I know although she is a genuine case her and her husband have as much as me and dh coming in and with a brand new car thrown in for good measure.
I can only dream of a new car and I work my tripe off 5 days a week as well as dh whilst some people can sit at home and get the same income coming in it seems really unfair.

OP posts:
Nibledbyducks · 08/01/2012 17:51

I'm a single mum of four on income support, my yearly income is less than that of the OP. Three of my children have disabilaties which I don't claim extra for. I have a disability myself that I am waiting to see an expert for at which point I may be able to claim DLA if I'm lucky. We manage a short holiday once a year, we go to a small cheap festival where kids go free and we camp and use a family rail card for transport. I also have to pay for a friend to come with me to help. I buy cheap clothes, shop sensibly, how on earth can the OP not afford a small camping break on £25000 a year ?
Futhermore, can the OP imagine how galling it is to attend work focused interviews where the adviser tells you not to work when you've been studying the OU for three years in an attempt to improve their prospects? when everyone tells you that you cope too well to require help? when the social services won't even provide a carers assessment with out pushing by a social law expert?
I want to work, and no I don't see why I should be worse off than a working person because this isn't my fault!, also I'm quite aware that I would be better off working and as there are set applicable amounts per person assigned per person for benefits, I'd love to know how anyone else wouldn't be?

marriedinwhite · 08/01/2012 17:51

We have some lovely neighbours. He works in the City - longish hours - high income. Three dc at private schools. The fourth dc has a rare congenital physical and mental (sorry don't mean to offend if it's wrong to use that word now) disability. Can't speak, can't feed, fits regularly, uses a wheelchair, incontinent, attends special school.

They are relatively wealthy people and I believe pay for respite care themselves for a week every month - they do get some funded I think but not all of it. I think my neighbour also gets a carers allowance (she was unable to even consider working after this child was born). They also have a large motability people carrier.

They do not need any help from the state because they could pay for it. They have, however, paid the same taxes as everyone else and are entitled to the same "help" where it is available. As she said to me once, not paying for a car means their other children are funded for every overseas school trip going and bearing in mind what they have gone through for ten years, they need the breaks she and her dh don't get.

As far as I am concerned, they don't get enough help. They appreciate they are very very lucky because they are not living on the breadline but her husband was brilliant and I mean truly brilliant and because he has refused overseas postings etc, because of his family circs he isn't the ceo of a mult-national now. Their child is incredibly lucky to have been born into such a privileged and loving family. Even with that I have had her in my arms sobbing with exhaustion and frustration and distress at what her other children have missed - probably just outed myself now.

OP - you aren't in that position, you have the power and the choice to move on if you need to. Others do not. To resent what little the state provides them which is far far short of what they want which good health for themselves or their loved ones is so very wrong.

WhingingNinja · 08/01/2012 17:53

Just to add that, hilarious typo aside Blush my offer stands for any others who feel so hard done by because they don't qualify for the. Fabulous lifestyle a disability gives.

IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll · 08/01/2012 17:54

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akaemmafrost · 08/01/2012 17:55

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carernotasaint · 08/01/2012 17:55

Dawndonna what you do is amazing.
Expat im sorry to here about your daughter. Hope that she gets well soon and my very best to you and your family x

Onesunnymorningin2012 · 08/01/2012 17:56

Some hateful opinions on here.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 08/01/2012 17:56

SuePurblylit... No, i don't see that it makes any difference at all. OPs on this subject don't come and post it without an agenda and a fixed mindset. Nothing that is said is going to change that. People who are interested in the facts won't get them on AIBU.

All that's happening is that people are getting upset on the thread that they chose to read. Zero posts would get it dropping off the page like a stone and a message sent to potential future OPs of this same subject. I wince at seeing people prostrate themselves and their family's circumstances at the mercy of someone who is indifferent, but it is their choice.

carernotasaint · 08/01/2012 17:57

Kitchen roll do you have children and get Child Benefit?

tethersend · 08/01/2012 17:57

"Being disabled does not mean the world owes you a favour"

Oh, It's that kind of thread.

I had no idea.

HowlingBitch · 08/01/2012 17:57

How truly sad. What would you consider luxuries?

D0oinMeCleanin · 08/01/2012 17:57

Dh gets more and is capable of working. He is working actually. I believe if he is not we get slightly more benefits than we would were he not epileptic. This is because it is harder for him to find work. There are certain jobs he cannot do and some jobs he could do but with restrictions (i.e working at a PC. Because of his epilepsy he needs more breaks)

Atm we get more benefits. We get the disability element of working tax credits and despite working we get free prescriptions and dental care etc. We also get reduced travel because DH cannot drive.

I'll give you all that OP if you are willing to live with fear of having a seizure whilst alone with your two young children and if you are willing to teach your small children how to look after their own parent and get help if necessary. You'll also never be able to bath your newborn alone.

SuePurblybilt · 08/01/2012 17:58

IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll Sun 08-Jan-12 17:54:10

"People living with disability (either themselves or as a carer) who have to live on benefits deserve a decent standard of living, but the country cannot afford to pay for them to have luxuries. The state should provide shelter, warmth, food, medical care, all the basics really, but that is all.

Plenty of people work and can afford nothing but the basics, so why should anyone else get those things."

So really you'd be happier if disabled people had their bills and rent paid directly and were given food and clothing stamps? What about televisions, can they have them? Books? Computers?
Or should they just sit quietly and try to be more grateful??

thepeoplesprincess · 08/01/2012 17:58

It's quite simple really. If you earn money in any type of job, you should have more income than someone who doesn't work in my opinion. I don't see whats so wrong with that, I really don't

There's nothing wrong with this. What I don't get is why you and various others can't understand that this is the way the benefit system already works. The one and only reason as to why someone like to OP might consider herself to be worse off for working, is because she's chosen to take on a mortgage she struggles to afford.

SayCoolNowSayWhip · 08/01/2012 17:58

Love how some people on here don't just think they're entitled to certain luxuries, but think their opinion on how the world is run is actually worth a shit.

Nilgiri · 08/01/2012 17:59

"The state should provide shelter, warmth, food, medical care, all the basics really"

Good, I'm glad to hear you say that.

So we can expect your support on the #Frothers threads and Hardest Hit campaigns against the attempts to take these things away from thousands of disabled people?

TotemPole · 08/01/2012 18:00

If you earn money in any type of job, you should have more income than someone who doesn't work in my opinion. I don't see whats so wrong with that, I really don't.

And they will have more income. Tax credits top up low incomes to more than being on JSA/IS.

What makes a difference for some is whether they rent or have a mortgage, the extra grants/discounts/concessions by not working at all, and the extra expenses associated with work.

Dawndonna · 08/01/2012 18:01

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carernotasaint · 08/01/2012 18:03

Well said Dawn.

Sevenfold · 08/01/2012 18:04

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HowlingBitch · 08/01/2012 18:04

Come now Kitchenroll... Let's have your enlightened response please? Because if you can read that post and say anything but sorry you are a disgrace.

KalSkirata · 08/01/2012 18:06

why shouldnt people disabled at birth have a few luxuries at adults. Are you really that mean OP? Do you really envy someone who cannot walk or talk that much? I pity you.

akaemmafrost · 08/01/2012 18:06

When it comes to Disability Benefits unless you are disabled yourself or have a disabled family member and personal experience of disability then I am afraid I will not consider your opinion valid or worthwhile. That statement is collectively for ALL the arseholes (and you know who you are Wink) on this and any other disablist thread.

mrsmplus3 · 08/01/2012 18:07

my papa brought up 7 children in a 3 bedroom council house. he worked full time during the day and drove taxis at night. they ate quite well every day, were clean, clothed and had a car.

his neighbour had just as much as my nana and papa did except he didnt work for what he got. he sat in the house and claimed benefits.

so, yes its a bit sickening to see that but at least people like my papa have their pride and he passed on a good work ethic to his children and grandchildren which we are all very proud of and grateful for.

for the record, i am absolutely not talking about genuine benefit claimers, just the dodgey, lazy ones.

KalSkirata · 08/01/2012 18:08

well said akaemma. How people can have any envy for someone disabled or suffering from cancer and their families is beyond me. learly they are narrw minded envious cunts who believe all the hate spouted by the media.

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