Let me just start by saying this is not a benefits bashing thread. I understand that benefits have to be there for people who need them. This is about the amount being proportionate. My now-ex friend (if you've read my other friends you'll understand) lives in a flat in supported accommodation after being discharged from a lengthy stay in a psychiatric hospital due to drug-induced psychosis (not other MH diagnoses). It's now become apparent that he will likely never work again and will always need to live somewhere like this. He is getting £1,850 A MONTH in benefits. He has to pay for bills, but doesn't pay rent. He also gets a free bus pass (which he refuses to use as he 'doesn't do the bus) and a free gym membership - not to the local council place as I thought, but a Bannatyne gym that was costing me £55 a month until recently. He knows he can't save too much or his benefits will start reducing, so he's just constantly spending on frivolous things e.g. football shirts at over £100 a pop, constant takeaways, Ubers, etc.... I understand he needs some financial support since he can't and will never work but surely this is ridiculous? I expected him to at least be paying something towards his accommodation? Where we live is incredibly cheap for property and a one bed flat is around £500 a month so he'd still have plenty left over. Interested to hear others thoughts. Maybe my perception is skewed as I currently work around 60-70 hours a week and am a higher-rate tax payer...