Tories want to cut sick peoples benefit.

[dottypotter]

Surprised no thread. Our wonderful caring Tory government want to cut ESA for people on the benefit. More MPs voted for cutting then against cutting. It makes me ashamed to be British and to think we live in such an uncaring society. How low can they go?

Cutting peoples money will store up more problems and is so mean. They don't know the meaning of the word support. Its everyones business what they doing. Nobody is immune from needing government help at some time.

Mariscall, the only benefits I ever claimed in the 27 years since i started working at 14 was child benefit.

I also got statutory maternity pay for 12 weeks, on 2 occasions (I think this was app £2,000 total).

Tax credits weren't around when I had my first child and I earned too much to qualify by the time I had my second.

Not everyone claims tax credits.

In fact, even though I am now a benefits 'scrounger' on ESA, I still only get £13 per week (which is taxed) because I have a pension of £10,500 per annum from my previous employer.

The 'hard working taxpayer' who claims WTC & CTC and who thinks people like me are on the fiddle gets paid more benefits than I do!!!

You normally qualify for Child Benefit if you’re responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training) and you live in the UK.www.gov.uk/child-benefit/eligibility. If one moves to the UK needs fulfil some other immigration criteria also criteria apply if child does not live with you.

I have never had a tax credit in my life. In fact I didn't even get maternity rights as with the first 3 chidlren you needed 2 years of service to get the 6 weeks on 90% pay and I m oved jobs twice at the key times - last place hired me when 5 months pregnant with a third child with a 1 and 3 year old at home. So I used 2 weeks of annual leave and went back full time. The had twins once I was self employed so again nothing which is fine - one reason i earn a lot and have done is because I didn't have the rights which is why I call enhanced maternity provision a poisoned chalice - it cons you into being at home, ensures inequality in your marriage and never does your career much good.

Bunny you are not benefit scrounger and it would be offensive for anyone to suggest that a disabled is so. People are entitled to certain benefits and should take them. Disabled have rights and Laws entitle them. Disabled students I know do work part time and pay their taxes and their interest on loans and are still entitled to the DSA. There is eligibility for child tax credit depending on income. I got it long ago because of income level and Dc was in ft education - I have been working and paid taxes all the time. It is small money but for parents with children suffering life a couple of threatening illnesses as in my case even the smallest things are a relief. It is depressing to struggle survive with disabilities and face discrimination. The pension you mention is very little to survive on. Many if not most pensioners today work. Some people work from home with a computer.

This government site www.gov.uk/child-tax-credit tells you the rules of eligibility for Child Tax Credit

I am unable to work at this moment, it does not mean I will never be able to - ESA is a very important safety net.
I have a clear plan for where I want to be in the future, but I have to learn to work within my limitations to get there - something I never had to think about before when I took my health for granted.

I am not disabled, I am sick - I will be sick for my entire life, but I can learn to manage it.
ESA is essential as it gives you breathing space to regroup and concentrate on your health to allow you to find a way forward that works.

The whole country was up in arms about proposed cuts to WTC (something you get as well as a wage), but nobody gives a fuck about ESA (something you get when you cannot earn a wage).

bunny that might be useful: Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010 www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010
It says:
You’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities
What ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ means
‘substantial’ is more than minor or trivial, eg it takes much longer than it usually would to complete a daily task like getting dressed
‘long-term’ means 12 months or more

people are naming the Mps on twitter who voted for the cuts.