To think pre-paid benefits cards are a stigmatizing, punitive scheme?

[ArsenicFaceCream]

Just announced at the Conservative Party conference.

They will initially be 'voluntary' for claimants with addiction issues, apparently.

But of course the intention is to roll it out.

Universal Credit is going national in February so this could get interesting, given that UC will be paid to working claimants as well as those not working.

The benefits card scheme would be policy for a conservative (not coalition) government, it seems.

next they will make them have badges sewn one their clothes

I don't like them at all. Having been in benefits due to my son's disability for a short period of time

However, for those with addiction issues I can sort of see a benefit in ensuring the person eats etc and doesn't starve through buying alcohol or drugs.

I think they have to be voluntary.

I am waiting for the many here though who think anyone on benefits should have to cope with this.

I worked for 30 years before claiming benefits for two years, I would have been mightily pissed off to be treated like a child.

For real addicts through this scheme could be a positive start to change. And I say that as a very anti Tory bod.

I would imagine that the cards could become a currency i themselves I.e being sold for drug money. Prob be lots on ebay...

It's impossible to say whether a scheme like this is likely to be successful till it has actually been tried out.

I don't for one moment believe that this is motivated by concern for addicts.

They have hit upon it as a wheeze to make the idea acceptable. Thin end of the wedge.

IDS has just said in interview with BBC that trial starts today (contradictory coverage I think).

Yeah I think it could be a useful measure in a minority of cases but I don't trust them not to roll it out to everyone, not matter what they promise.

eg if they started with people with severe alcohol addiction you could see them rolling it out to people with junk food addiction....

And as for 'voluntary', there's genuinely voluntary and there's 'if you don't do this we'll cut your benefits' voluntary.

It is an absolute disgrace. I cannot wait until the next election so that the current government can be booted out (not that they were really elected anyway...).

True Heels and they will change hands for much less than the face value. Or people will buy meat and sell it. There is apparently already a booming trade in shoplifted meat.

so because i work part time and the only benefit i get is some help with my rent as in housing benefit would i be able to put this in my bank as my rent is paid via direct debit or would i have to look like a dloie drug addict by presenting the card at asda to buy food with it

Food stamps in the USA...

Horrible idea. Just horrid.

What about the poor partners of the 'addicts' handing over their 'poor scroungers card' at the supermarket till? This is awarded on a family basis and you can bet it isn't the addict who buys the groceries....

Nobody's saying issey. So far it's just for 'addicts' and just a trial. But i'll bet money it won't stay that way.

It wouldn't surprise me if they are going to try to deter people from claiming tax credits where possible.

I dont understand, would it be like the voucher scheme similar to the fruit and milk vouchers where you can only buy certain things or more like a prepaid credit card?

If its vouchers, what happens if you have vouchers for fruit but your washing machine breaks down? How would that work?

How many places would really take them? How could you pay for gas and electricity by direct debit or would people be forced on to the more expensive prepayment meters?

It sounds like a really bad idea, and its bound to be expensive to set up and run.

Sounds as though it is somewhere between the two kim. They did just say the card couldn't be used in betting shops, off licences or for certain items.....

On one hand I can see why it would feel punitive yet I can also see a benefit (excuse the pun)... Not all addicts want to see their families go without but when in desperate need for their next fix (drugs, alcohol, gambling) cannot stop themselves. In cases like this they may choose the option of a pre-pay card....difficult call

But yes - good point re washing machines, because presumably launderettes won't accept them either.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29414565

What will the 'card' look like? Will look like a standard bank card? Is it like pre-payment or metering water/electricity?

I think if it's a card that is given to a family/shopper in the family then they have complete control of it. Will certain items be 'blocked'? Tobacco and alcohol I can understand but will everything else be available?

Who else, apart from the cashier, would even notice the card and what it is?

I wish my mum had had access to one of these instead of spiralling in and out of depression for years, quite frankly. My dad was a poor provider, all let up to her. She really wouldn't have cared.

I don't understand the furore. So many people are needing help now and I'm glad it's there, cards wouldn't exactly be 'rare', would they?

Will MPs have pre paid expenses cards?

Would you be able to spend it in all shops, like John Lewis or M&S (and if you think that's facetious you clearly haven't been there at M&S reducing time or at the bum end of the JL sale - they can be blimmin' cheap), or would you be restricted to Asda and the like, which can be very expensive?

One of the many problems is that of/when it's rolled out it could be used to 'promote' a particular cause. For eg banning buying baby formula using the card in order to promote BFing without providing the additional support or looking into the reasons why many women are unable to BF.
It worries me.

I think my biggest worry woud I be as Arsenic says. They would still have a currency and it is the thin end of the wedge.

I think they could be useful in rare cases but not as a rule.

What about travel costs? I'm a student/carer & tax credits make up the vast majority if my income - if they bring in pre payments cards or vouchers for food etc how would they expect me to get anywhere when I am totally reliant in publics transport in a rural area? Can't see how it would work tbh there are so many things people spend their money on that is essential, not food but not booze and drugs either!

^sorry about all the typos, on the phone. & have fat fingers :D