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.

I'm a carer, so how will my carers allowance be paid? I used to get it from the post office, it's not labelled, I don't have a sign that says I'm getting carer's allowance. More than once, I was judged, loudly, for picking up benefits at my age when I could quite obviously work. I lived in a village at the time and at one point I was refused a bottle of wine because the chap that ran the shop didn't think those on benefits should be allowed to spend his money on booze. It was only my fucking birthday, but I wasn't going to stand in a shop and justify my existence. I'm still not going to.
Oh, and round here, the local market is far, far cheaper for fruit and veg than any supermarket: six giant baking potatoes for £2.00 at the moment. Can't get that in Tesco. They're so big, we share one between two, cheese and salad and we're stuffed. So, that's two spuds for a meal, two later in the week for mash for fouk and then roasties even later in the week. I can shop for four of us on the market for less than ten pounds, that's fruit and veg. They won't be taking cards of any description.

for four

I can't see the objection to this. If people got part of their entitlement in food vouchers it would mean at least they would always have food and not face their children and themselves going hungry. It is certainly worth trying out. And make it so people can opt out if they simply can't face using a voucher at the checkout because others will think they are worthless. It's just nonsense.

Vivienne, have you read much of the thread? It may be that you don't agree with the objections, but there ARE objections.

Have you RTFT Viv?

Ha X post joan

It's getting awfully repetitive, isn't it?

I've read some of the thread. I think it's a good idea and I wouldn't mind vouchers for food. But if people think it's a bad idea and wouldn't want them then that's fine. Childcare vouchers are already in use. Can't see the difference.

That Red Cross report I linked to is horrible

It's so frustratingly inefficient as a system.

Of course a huge sticking point to all this is that it's a total technological fuck up waiting to happen. There is no way the system would cope, people would be waiting for weeks without food and whatever else our lords and masters deemed appropriate for them, there would be loud noises from certain quarters and 'lessons would be learnt' while people went hungry.

More than once, I was judged, loudly, for picking up benefits at my age when I could quite obviously work. I lived in a village at the time and at one point I was refused a bottle of wine because the chap that ran the shop didn't think those on benefits should be allowed to spend his money on booze. It was only my fucking birthday, but I wasn't going to stand in a shop and justify my existence. I'm still not going to.

The change from orderbook to BACS payment was introduced when I was receiving carer's allowance. I was very glad of it

I've read the thread and I don't see why just because I don't agree then I mustn't have understood or rtt. I'm not saying it should be brought out for everybody but I think it's worth a try.

I agree with vivien. Just because it doesn't suit you and your situation it doesnt mean it shouldn't be trialled

handcream

How can it possibly suit my situation?

We don't even get Child Benefit any more. Would you mind explaining what you're talking about?

Just because it doesn't suit you and your situation it doesnt mean it shouldn't be trialled - Because it might suit addicts and their situation? What exactly are you implying here?

I'm not sure who she's addressing Garlic. I can't make sense of it either way.

Fair enough Vivienne. What got me was the sentence 'I can't see the objection' which sounded like you couldn't imagine what objections there could be.

From my point of view it's been trialled for the past 5 years with a small group and has been a punitive failure. A similar voucher-based system was trialled for ten years before that (well - ten years off and on) and was such a failure that it was stopped twice by Parliament. The US food stamps system has been in place for decades and is problematic and full of fraud as well.

No, Arse It's very easy to get a sense of superiority when you can't think rationally!

YES its awful and something I hope people will march against if it comes in.

I can see the issues - and yes some people will be wasting the little they have on crap but you cant go down this route.

No Garlic. It just annoys me, this accusation that all objections must be motivated by current self-interest.

I've been quite open across multiple threads about the fact that I was only able to escape to DV due the welfare state and that my DC and I lived on benefits for a while. I like to think I'd have empathy anyway. I'm pretty sure I used to anyway, but I didn't have proper understanding TBH.

People like handcream and fishwife turn up on the thread and imply that the only possible objection is from people with something to lose. That needs challenging.

Yanbu. For all the reasons already listed.

-the cards will be sold for cash on the black market.

• people will be restricted to buying higher price goods instead of grabbing bargains.

Basically I doubt very much it will make a blind bit of difference to addicts. It will only make life even harder for their families and other benefit recipients.

The ramifications are terrifying.

Those who think this is a good idea and would work for some people can you answer me some questions as to how certain things could work?

How do you pay for utilities specifically water. How do you pay for bus fares. any additional costs ie non uniform day at school.

If you get so much as cash and so much on a card which can only be used for food who decides how much you have to budget for food, I know my food shop is inconsistent over the month.

funny how the Government can spend £££££££££ on helping America fighting wars

it seems there's a bottomless pit were thats concerned

but its ok to constantly change the goalposts in the welfare system,save a few quid here and there,belittle claimants to the point of despair and uncertanty

Ilovechristmas

Totally agree, people relying on benefits, food banks, charity yet we can afford to go to war.

any additional costs ie non uniform day at school.

YY. A thousand petty ways in which people will be dehumanised and pushed outside society. Especially children.