To think the cost of living payment should have been paid differently?

[muddlinthroughit]

Would like to think 99% of people have used it as it's meant, to help with food, fuel etc

However, on my socials today I have seen 1 person spend it on nails and 2 tattoos, and another on a PS5....

Not sure that's what it's meant for?

We have put ours aside for food and power and to help with Xmas

You’ve put yours aside for Christmas ?
How do you know the nails weren’t an early Christmas treat?
How do you know the PS5 wasnt an early Christmas Present ?
seriously if you had preached you’d stuck it on the gas or electric youd have had a bit more of a moral high ground.

And these ridiculously dramatic responses prove my point…

And these ridiculously dramatic responses prove my point…

1. No they don’t.
2. You choose to ignore any valid points, hence the replies you get.

Of course people should prove they need help before being given taxpayer’s money Hmm only on here is that seen as ‘controversial’

They do though, you don't just say "I'm skint" and get UC or other benefits - you have to submit evidence, you don't just say "I'm disabled" and get disability benefits, you have to submit evidence, you don't just say "I'm retired" and get your pension, you have to meet the criteria for age to get it.
And though I don't know about pension because I'm not there yet (and we all know you don't age backwards) you have to continue to supply evidence to continue to receive. I haven't claimed UC, but I had to renew every year to prove I was still entitled to tax credits, and I believe UC is based on your monthly earnings, in 'real time'.

The COL payments are based on the benefits that are being claimed - and there's already been proof that they're entitled, ongoing, in order to claim said benefits.

I havent heard anyone over fifteen say "whatever " OP . Maybe you are upset your mum wouldnt get you a tattoo until after your GCSEs .
If you are really an adult maybe you could explain what exactly your usage for Christmas will be , as by your rules anything other than fuel should be allowed .

What ‘valid points’? That an ‘emergency payment’ should be spent on a PS5 and people like me who have contributed to it (in a tax sense) but can’t afford one themselves should be happy with it? That people on benefits should be living lives more comfortable than those who claim nothing? I can’t take any of that seriously.

However, on my socials today I have seen 1 person spend it on nails and 2 tattoos, and another on a PS5

Yeah of course that happened OP 🙄 go outside and stop reading the Daily Fail.

Actually I agree, I'm not convinced that anyone is posting that shit on sm

I'm on benefits and carers allowance, I live in a very deprived area. I've not seen anyone talking about what they've spent the col payment on

Yep as if all these people OP is friends with on Facebook are posting “look what I’m wasting my free benefits money on” to all their friends/family/acquaintances OP is an absolute liar.

I’m on benefits @Cuppasoupmonster , why should I have to have limited choices and no dignity because you may not like my choices?

What do you mean by ‘no dignity’?

Having to use vouchers, getting to places and finding they’re inaccessible, having people talk to my dd instead of me. Being branded a scrounger because I would be presenting vouchers. Oh, and the best one most recently was if I lost weight I’d be able to walk, and I’m just lazy and obviously greedy. (Thank you steroids!)
The other thing about vouchers, I would be limited as to what I could purchase, no biscuits or wine for a treat, no chocolates for a birthday present, and that’s just a tiny, tiny amount of damage this could do to peoples mental health.

Plenty of people available to do the job.

They rehearsed during the pandemic

Getting angry about how strangers are spending "your tax money" is just a total waste of energy.

It's like fsm vouchers during covid all over again 🙄

Yep, it almost induces flashbacks from the time of "that is not essential".

Thats all just made up projection though, I haven’t said any of that. I imagine it would be a prepayment card that only wouldn’t work on certain items, eg cigarettes and playstations. Personally I wouldn’t have an issue with wine or nice food as it’s part of the Christmas shop.

If you are such a low earner you can’t afford a PlayStation then your taxes aren’t even covering yourself let alone other peoples benefits.

Do you think you’re invincible? That you’ll never end up losing your job, getting into an accident, becoming disabled etc? You have no idea if you’ll need to claim benefit, most people don’t plan to.

Just put some cheese in your coffee! Milk is not essential 😑 😒

Sounds tasty!

The other thing about vouchers, I would be limited as to what I could purchase, no biscuits or wine for a treat, no chocolates for a birthday present, and that’s just a tiny, tiny amount of damage this could do to peoples mental health

many countries do pre paid cards, you get monthly x amount for food and house supplies , everything except Alcohol and cigarettes.
they can be used in any supermarket not just value ones. they are just like any other debt card , there is nothing demeaning in them.

Yes, some part of Australia do that for people on job seekers.
Is that something you would really want here? It is basically saying you can not be trusted with money, so we are giving you vouchers.

Is that something you would really want here? It is basically saying you can not be trusted with money, so we are giving you vouchers.

perhaps to those who are most vulnerable?
if it will mean that the money they get is used by them and only them , then I really don’t see it as a bad thing.

Thank goodness we have our wise overlords to decide what is best for us.

Really?
My sole income is UC. If this system came in, why on earth should I have to live off food/fuel vouchers?
That would mean I could never treat myself or friends/family, I could never meet someone for a coffee. I could never get treatment for my pets.