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Original poster

Incapacity benefit fraud - is it really this common?

98 replies

CountessDracula · 29/09/2006 12:31

Following on from the DSS housing thread I really can't believe that people who are capable of work sit on their arses on incapacity benefit for years and years with no review or attempt to get them into work.

Is this true?

If so it is bloody outrageous

OP posts:
SenoraPostrophe · 29/09/2006 12:33

It used to be true, but you have to have a review every 3 years now and it's generally harder to claim afaik. like these things generally, if they crack down harder than they already have they'll end up denying people who really need it.

expatinscotland · 29/09/2006 12:35

It's true, CD.

Glasgow has one of hte highest numbers of people claiming IB in all Britain.

I personally know several people who are on IB and haven't worked in years.

But there is nothing physically or mentally amiss w/them.

daisy1999 · 29/09/2006 12:35

no experience but I'm sure it is. Actually I've just remembered a friend's wife who left work with a bad back and never came back (approx 14 years so far ). This bad back allowed her o socialise, decorate (up ladders, etc), have a baby (whilst off sick), move furniture and generally just live it up.

expatinscotland · 29/09/2006 12:35

It's getting harder for new claimants, apparently.

Original poster
CountessDracula · 29/09/2006 12:36

every 3 years???

ffs how pathetic is this system

Also don't these people get BORED?

OP posts:
SenoraPostrophe · 29/09/2006 12:38

would you rather they spent shit loads of taxpayers' cash on doctors who would check up on claimants and fill in forms every 6 months then cd? and for back injuries (which are easy to fake), perhaps they should employ private detectives to follow them around?

ParanoidAndroid · 29/09/2006 12:39

As someone on incapacity benefit, and having been on it for about 2.5 years now, I can speak from experience!

I get a questionnaire sent every 6 months or so, I have had home visits from 2 people from the DSS in the past two years I guess, plus I have recently had a medical exam. You are graded and given points, and that counts towards when you next need a medical (as far as I know anyway)

The stupid thing is that despite being genuinely incapable of work at the moment, I feel incredibly guilty about having it! But there is just no way that we as a family could survive without it at the moment.

I think, as with many bureaucratic processes, despite whatever exams/forms etc, there will always be people who cheat - as with unemployment or housing. The problem is that all of us genuine claimants get lumped together with the bad apples!

Original poster
CountessDracula · 29/09/2006 12:39

If you have a bad back you can still do non manual work

My dh has a bad back and is a lawyer for eg

OP posts:
Original poster
CountessDracula · 29/09/2006 12:40

PA I have NO issue with people who are incapacitated getting it! I am very pro benefits for those who need it. If you look at that thread though, the layabout in question just can't be arsed to get a job. Unbelievable

OP posts:
SenoraPostrophe · 29/09/2006 12:41

depends on how bad your back is. and it's hard if you're unskilled

Original poster
CountessDracula · 29/09/2006 12:42

You could work in a call centre for eg

I know it depends but this bloke is clearly fine

OP posts:
batters · 29/09/2006 12:43

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Blu · 29/09/2006 12:44

The bloke who lives opposite me is on IB. He had a very bad accident some years ago, and clearly has problems sometimes.

BUT he also has a sideline in a job restoring certain things and selling them on. He always looks round sneakily when he is putting something in the van - so I guess he doesn't declare the income / is worried he could lose his status.

But I think the rules for people who could do soke work are so tortuous that it discourages people from being honest and declaring bits and bobs of income. And i don't supose it's a huge income, being on IB, is it?

nailpolish · 29/09/2006 12:46

dh's horrible uncle has been on benefits since stopping work age 52, getting a help from his former company (full pay til age 65, hes 60 just now) (early retirement? not sure) the reason - being morbidly overweight and having type 2 diabetes (all his own fault) leading to sore legs/back etc

he tells all and sundry too, laughs like a drain at the fact that he "cheated the system" (his words) so he could sit on his arse and get even fatter

he is loaded

(sorry, i just dont like the man)

he worked for the benenfits office, and takes great pride is telling how he used to enjoy seeing the single mothers "beg for what they were due"

ParanoidAndroid · 29/09/2006 12:49

No Blu, the amount isn't much. Without digging into my filing system (cough, aka the box of papers) it's about 80 quid a week.

My problem is that I keep trying to work and it makes me ill again. So god knows what I'm going to do!

nannyme · 29/09/2006 13:07

The amount is pathetic and the going for assessment - nay, second degree inquisition, is torturous - they don't give a fig about how you get there despite the piss poor transport system in Cumbria/most of England.

Sure some people take the proverbial piss with any benefit but for the most part I feel that claiming benefit when benefit is due (or desperately needed) is like a wicked version of challenge Anneka.

I don't think many would choose a life on benefit if there weren't other options. Fraudulently claiming is a risk and not that much of an income boost bearing in mind the archaic system used to work out the minimum monthly/weekly income required for a family to live on.

Uwila · 29/09/2006 13:16

I think people get comfortable. They learn to work the system. And make a living out of it. Why would they go to work, when they can just have more babies to keep them on the the system that gives them a house, food, and free dentistry.

beckybrastraps · 29/09/2006 13:41

My dad claims incapacity benefit. He worked between the ages of 15 and 52 as a gas fitter. Then he injured his back (yes, I know, his back) at work. He worked in a call centre for 3 years and was mafe redundant when they closed it. He has since had an operation to fuse some of his vertebrae and is substantially disabled as a result of that and other problems associated with his diabetes (yes, type 2 diabetes, give him a good kicking, especially as he smokes). He is now 58, has very restricted mobility and has circulatory problems, oh, and no qualifications other than those related to being a gas fitter, which, of course, he can't do. The chances of anyone employing him for any job are sadly pretty small.

But he worked his socks off for 37 years without claiming benefit. He is ashamed of his situation. And that makes me . He shouldn't be.

yomama · 29/09/2006 13:42

could work but don't

FioFio · 29/09/2006 13:48

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FioFio · 29/09/2006 13:50

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yomama · 29/09/2006 13:53

if you are fit to have babies you are fit to work

FioFio · 29/09/2006 13:53

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nailpolish · 29/09/2006 13:54

i agree Fio, this is especially true with mental health problems as opposed to physical

Eve · 29/09/2006 13:54

My brother who is 30 suffers from fibromylagia and is in immense pain 24 hrs a day.

IC assessors didn't beleive him and refused him benfit in fact they accessued him of lying during assessment.

as always those who know how to 'play the ssytem benefit.

My brother tries to make the best of his situation and gets no help

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