AIBU to be incensed at the inequalities in the benefit system? (long sorry)

[Libran70]

I read MN every day and think how awful it is that so many people are struggling to cope on inadequate benefits and of the nit picking interviews they have to go through to get anything extra. And then there's ASOS causing so much upset and forcing disabled people to justify their existence.

I know there is a very small minority who play the system but they seem to be the only ones we ever hear about. So many people are struggling, no one should have to go to a food bank to feed their children.

However, there are cases where the money could be shuffled around and aimed at those really struggling.

My cousin is autistic and she lives in a wonderful complex within the community. She has a flat (bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom) and there is a care worker on call 24/7. SWs call daily to help her prepare meals, do her washing, take her shopping and so on. She also has an active social life, organised by SS and a local charity. She also has a supported job washing up in an old people's home close by. She sees her remaining parent every weekend and they go on holiday together. She pays for her own holidays and some of the care from her allowances.

This really is an example of excellent care. She was recently reassessed and she is entitled to every penny she gets in allowances and benefits.

However, she has a five figure amount of money in savings. All of this is saved from her benefits and allowances. I hope she has a long life ahead of her but when she dies this money and a lot more, I guess, will go to her family.

AIBU in thinking that this would not be fair? And AIBU in thinking she is getting far too much (at the moment) and there are people out there who need it more?

I really don't want to argue with you but I know lots of people who grossly exaggerate their disability to make sure they get money and I know of one who has nothing wrong with him but laziness. He has the doctors baffled as he seems unable to move without being in excruciating pain. Scans etc have been unable to she'd any light on it but this mystery illness has prevented him from working for a while. He has been awarded DLA and still gets it despite one of his neighbours reporting him and sending photos of him digging his garden and up a ladder cleaning his windows.

"He has the doctors baffled as he seems unable to move without being in excruciating pain."

Chronic and unexplained pain is real condition.

I'm always fascinated by how many 'fake disabled DLA receivers' MNers seem to know. They always get caught gardening by their neighbours too. Astonishing!

Not sure if the tax money comment was aimed at me or not but if it was of course its relevant. Why is it okay to slag off one group for possible fraud but it is okay for another to do so? Just because they work? They are still FRAUDENTLY claiming if they get higher rate WTC for example. Wonder if the OP is going to come back. Funny that another Benefits thread has appeared so timely in conjunction with tonights tv showing? .

There's absolutely LOADS of them you know Candy. When I don't see the poor dears on their mobility scooters I catch them unicycling home when they think no one is looking .

DS gets DLA, I am always tired as he sleep approx 4 hours and when he is not sleeping he is a danger to himself. He doesn't understand danger. He is almost 8 and still wets himself and wets the bed. I am 'lucky' that I have 1 full night sleep a week. I have been up since 6 after DS went to sleep at 1:30.

Not to mention fighting the LEA to get him statemented, having to explain why he needs to use the disabled toilets as the hand dryer sends him into a melt down.

I am scared for his future, He has major learning difficulties and i really can see it getting any better.

The money is used A) to give his sister some respite and some sort of break from him B) it used to replace things he has broken c) for the extra electricity that is used D) the internet so he can watch netflix and for me to access support groups. E) for taxi fares so when he has appoinments ( sometime 4-5 a month) and to be able to get to the school asap f) for him to go to clubs so he learns social skills.

there are many more.

To look at DS nobody would think that he has a life long condition. Nobody knows what happens behind clothes doors.

Just look at my body and see the bruises DS has caused on one of his meltdowns. However I have to take it as he is my son and i would walk over hot coals with a nail in my eye because he is my son and it's not his fault that he was born different

I also know someone who has unexplained pain.....its called Fibromyalgia. No apparent cause for it.....it's down as a psychosomatic condition (I believe....am sure someone will tell me if I am wrong).

On good days.....usually when weather is warmer this lady can do all manner of things (including gardening) but on bad days it takes her ages to get out if bed, she has baths to ease the pain and takes masses of pain killers. On really bad days she is hospitalised.

So yes, Fibromyalgia exists....and it is horrible.

Not saying that this is what the cause of unknown pain is in every case but its a possible reason why someone complains of terrible pain without an identified cause,

My friend was in a violent and abusive relationship for over 20 years so if it IS psychological then I am laying bets on severe PTSD wbich has to come out in some way for her.

Fibromyalgia is a recognised pain processing disorder not a psychosomatic one.

Thanks Fanjo, wasn't totally sure....just know she is in horrific pain sometimes, Horrible.

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibromyalgia/Pages/Causes.aspx

Poor woman :(

Speaking from personal experience I can assure you that DLA/PIP as it is now called, is extremely difficult to get as someone mentioned further up thread they require so many tests, scans, opinions, xrays etc.... IMHO you need to be almost horizontal in a wooden box.

People who manage to defraud the system must be coming up due for the new PIP assessments which, I can bet my bottom dollar on, they will be denied.

For those of you who openly admit to being aware of fraudulent claims, SHAME ON YOU! you are as bad if not worse than they are IMHO. Whoever they are or how ever they are related to you personally you should not hesitate to report them.

As for the OP YABVU your cousin should be able to have as many savings as she wants. All her services can be cut and private care does not come cheaply.

the figures of fraudulent claimants are obviously only the ones that have been caught. If they caught up with everybody who is claiming things they aren't entitled to the number would be more accurate and a lot higher.

And you got this from who? Your hairdresser?

that quote you have bolded backonlybriefly, just goes to show how well all this anti disability propaganda has worked.

Even the DWPs statistics dont mean anything to people like that.

so many people now equate disability benefits with fraudsters, as though its the norm for people to be faking disabilities.

Thats why threads like this are so harmful.

I work in the field of social care for adults with learning disabilities. Jak365 earlier commented that support workers are extremely careful with service users monies due to the level of scrutiny they are under. This is exactly true and deters support workers from spending money. Also people in supported residential care often have many, if not all bills met and their benefits are not needed for many expenses due to this. To add to that, some people with learning disabilities want less materially than a lot of other people - where often a magazine or small treat will suffice and a quiet and fairly routine based life may suit an individual.

I'd agree with OP, I know of a lot of people that have built up very considerable savings due to the factors I've mentioned. I understand what she is saying - our systems can be so good, when working well that it's possible for some people to have more than they actually need or can make use of.

Most people don't exaggerate, they don't need to. Us disabled lot are advised to fill in the forms describing our worst days. I have ms and am sometimes almost normal, or it looks like I am.

Very often though, I am not.

Sometimes it doesn't show except as a limp, but you cannot possibly look at me and decide how much pain I am in, nor how quickly my muscles fatigue, nor indeed how exhausted I get just from walking/limping down the road. Believe me, I have no social life except for the people in the shops. By afternoon I am exhausted and incapable - the last time I went out in the evening was sometime in the summer - but if you saw me in the morning then you'd probably say I was playing the system.

I feel guilty enough about the minimal amount of help I do get - DLA and carers twice a week for less than an hour a time. Thanks for making me feel even more of a drain on society. It's so heartening to know that there are people who resent my presence. Live my life, you'll love it.

And I would give my eye teeth to be able to work.

Givesyou...yes..and it's important they have the same means to buy luxuries as anyone else. I really feel that.

Jux..people who resent you are ,frankly, tossers.

Savings are taken into account for income support and job seekers. . 3 thousand in savings I think is the threshold .

No idea about ESA as fortunate enough not to be in the position of needing it .

I think most people who get ESA have to live off it..., they wouldn't be able to save it.

My severely agoraphobic friend gets it....she certainly can't afford to save it....it goes in the pot to cover daily living expenses.

The motability scheme is also a big con. If anyone thinks they are 'better off' getting a motability car, well they are not. Motability cars are new cars, or very nearly new, so people are buying them at a top price. You are much better off buying a second hand car for half the price. Motability is a scam, like the Green Deal, only helpful for people that would never be able to afford credit.

I know what you're trying to say op, I think that you're seeing it a little to simplistically though, as in there's x amount of fixed money and it's not doing much use there however there's a family starving who that would make a huge difference too and it wouldn't effect your cousin in anyway.
My uncle has severe mental health problems and is in managed accommodation, he buys everything he wants and his standard of life is good if you were to look at it on a superficial level. He manages to also save a rather large amount which he's likely to never use (hasn't been touched in 20 odd years). It's good that he's managed to do that and he has every right to spend that on anything he wants but he just won't. Therefore that money is actually pretty redundant to him. I think you're seeing it like that and that that money could be helping some one else as it's not doing anything for the individual who's saving it?

I've probably worded this all wrong but I think I know where you're coming from op. The thing is that it's terrible that we're even thinking that. There are far far bigger sources of money (tax dodgers, corporations etc) that could be affording everyone to have the lifestyle they want and deserve without taking from another.

The poor shouldn't have to fight the poor for what we all deserve.

I sold my car to go on the notability scheme because it takes the stress off me and its one less thing to worry about and I need a reliable car because breaking down could be catastrophic! It isn't cheap though, I agree. The woman in the operation would have to use her mobility rate money to pay for transport though as she is too mentally impaired to drive. Why are people ignoring this

People have also already mentioned regarding savings. If it goes over a certain amount you have to start paying towards your care, it's the same with all adult care (those that have elderly relatives sil know this too)

Haven't read the whole post but came upon the fraudsters vs non fraudsters argument. Background: I don't claim benefits, I have a condition that would allow me to but on OH income I doubt I would be entitled to. I do know someone who is fraudulently claiming and I have anonymously reported her-to my knowledge nothing has changed (works cash in hand in physical agricultural role). So my question is why do people who are genuinely claiming and entitled to benefits get so wound up when people mention the fraudsters? A comment about lazy, layabouts who are playing the system is aimed at them. If you are genuine in your claims then don't get so stressed about people who are slagging off the scrounges-they aren't slagging off you! The welfare state is for genuine people with health issues to help and support them through life and we can be nothing but proud that such a thing exists in the UK. But those abusing the system deserve slating. However if you're not abusing the system-chill out a bit.

Because Freckletoes the OP's cousin is not fraudulently claiming. And it gets tiresome that every thread with the word 'benefits' in it ends up getting derailed into fraudsters v non-fraudsters about two pages in. It has nothing to do with this discussion at all. We aren't talking about a fraudster, we are talking about a woman with severe autism.

"Therefore that money is actually pretty redundant to him."

I don't know the age of your uncle but the benefits system may not be around forever. He may get maliciously reported and lose his benefits, there may be a simple clerical error that means he doesn't get any money for a month or two, so those savings may come into use. If I were in the position where I know I couldn't work long-term due to my health condition, I'd sure as hell save up what I could for a rainy day, more so than your average Joe Public.

As far as savings from benefits go, rather a simplistic view but if someone is able to live frugally and put money aside then they shouldn't be penalised for it. In an experiment if you gave 10 different people in the same life situation the same amount of money you can guarantee some will blow the lot and some will live carefully and keep some back-it is natural for us all to be different. (Before anyone jumps down my throat I am not saying people who have no savings have blown all their money-everyone has different expenses/family size/regional variations). I suppose if the OP cousin is in such good structured care and able to save so much then perhaps she could be seen as receiving more money than her needs..... Let's face it - this whole system is impossible to ever get 100% "right"!