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TimeforTea20 · 20/03/2020 18:33
The negative impact on people on benefits is that they have no savings to rely or fall back on, they can't panic buy or hoard food as they are already living hand to mouth, the only food in shops is the higher priced items, which means people have to choose between eating or electric heating etc
browzingss · 20/03/2020 18:33
To be fair, can people on job seekers allowance afford to go food shopping in the current climate?
As you’re all aware, certain essential products are completely out of stock, including cheap bags of pasta/rice etc. This means that people on jobseekers can’t buy the cheapest items as these items simply aren’t available. They don’t have a massive budget to begin with do they? They will have to either buy more expensive alternatives (ie what’s actually left in the shop now) or go to more expensive shops like an overpriced corner shop charging triple the price for loo roll.
KilljoysDutch · 20/03/2020 18:34
Let me see how people on JSA will be affected - higher risk of catching the virus as they will still be expected to be applying for jobs, dropping CVS etc, the lack of food in the shops will mean people need to buy essentials from higher priced local shops or travel further to get that food. They're already struggling on fuck all money and a lot of them will now have children at home to feed on top of that.
What a nasty fucking bunch of twats you are on here today, Be fucking kind.
blossombabies · 20/03/2020 18:36
god, i really hate people. i work with people receiving a benefit and this will just make it worse. shops are empty! people will have to buy as and what they need. people on JSA with kids are in a little bit of a better position however single claimants are fu*ked at the best of times. £74 is NOT enough to live on, but i assume a lot of you will get a taste of it now with job loses etc so it might make you more understanding of how much some people actually struggle.
Smellbellina · 20/03/2020 18:42
I think people were just confused as to why there would be financial compensation for someone whose income won’t change. The government have said they will provide 80% of wages up to £2500, many people will still be 20% down and also have to contend with rising prices. It’s not unreasonable to ask why people who don’t work and don’t face any loss of income would be given more benefits.
(That’s not to say I don’t think benefits are too low!)
Greendin · 20/03/2020 18:49
I would expect they'll let you off the job hunting temporarily as you can't really go for interviews can you. You won't need to sign on in person.
You won't get extra money if that's what you mean, why would you need it? You don't have additional costs when you're indoors 24/7.
TimeforTea20 · 20/03/2020 18:54
I'm a carer who works 70+ hours a week for £30 extra, I have had to buy higher priced food and goods, as by the time I get to the shops everything is gone. So I'm paying double and triple than what I normally would it's not rocket science, why is it so hard to understand the impact?
Apirateslifeforme · 20/03/2020 19:05
I'll go out on a limb and assume that you may have just applied for JSA because you've lost your job due to Coronavirus related issues?
The industry that were involved in has had a lot of jobs just grind to a halt in the past few weeks.
I know that the numbers appear to be unworkable right now, but if you are only out of work until CV passes, I think its possible le to figure out a way thi gs can be very tight but workable for a very short time.
Weve just had to apy for UC as on the 28th Feb the contract was stopped due to the perceived risk by the client. Being paid weekly meant that we decided our last weeks pay was going directly on rent.
We paid March rent, and have spent all we have on what we needed until this point.
When we do get UC the advance payment will pay rent as we dont want to ruin the relationship with our landlord. That's the housing element and our allowance gone, leaving us with DDs allowance of £270 a month to pay nominal payments for electric, internet, food and the car insurance and some fuel so we can get back to work ASAP.
Its going to be hard for everyone, just important to remember theres a roof over your head, lights are on and the water is running =)
Keep your head up, you've just gotta stretch every penny as far as itll go for the time being
TimeforTea20 · 20/03/2020 19:06
Mind you, I could drop my care work and let all you wonderful self righteous tax payers pay for it x 50 via taxes and private companies, to do my work and add to the rising social care crisis.
A huge percent of the voluntary sector staff are also jobseekers and people on benefits. I'm sure all you lot will be happy to volunteer and help the needy when they're all off picking berries for minimum wage, as you can afford to volunteer your time.
Butterer · 20/03/2020 19:13
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
MrsWhites · 20/03/2020 19:32
I can see where you are coming from OP -
Some people on JSA will have treated it as a temporary measure (in the way it is intended to be used), whilst looking for employment, that employment is now going to be harder to seek either because of individuals having to long term self isolate due to pre-existing health conditions or just because lots of businesses will put recruitment on hold due to the financial uncertainty.
Unfortunately some people take advantage of JSA which is why I think you are getting a hard time on this thread.
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