Street begging - do you give money to street people who ask?

[mamadadawahwah]

I always do because I was taught, there but for the grace of God go I. If someone needs money that bad they have to beg for it, I will give them something. Many people dont take this view and i suppose it is to do with their upbringing and their political and social views.

Be interested to know what you all think though. Bearing in mind, many people, particularly the young "suits" are only a paycheque away from the street, despite earning huge salaries. Maybe that is why I often see young suits haranguing street people - cause they know that could be their lot too.

tiredemma, you sharing your toast has brought me out in goosbumps

fio

can homeless people get benefits beansmum? i though they had to have an address to claim

I do and feel the same, there for the grace of god go I. I did become very cynical when I lived in London because of the sheer numbers.

Here in Spain, the social security system isnt the same as uk and you can see how desperate people are, I always give and it doesnt bother me what they spend it on.

When I worked in Romania I used to give food because I had seen children maimed in the name of begging and realised that often they werent getting any benefit from the money. I was ended up with a live lamb because the mother was so happy that i'd fed her children, this was in the middle of bucharest train station, it took me some time to explain that I was grateful but didnt had need of it.

From the Office of the Deputy PM

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for a range of benefits and support services for people of working age, which are delivered through Jobcentre Plus. Benefits are available to homeless people and rough sleepers as they are to any other citizen of this country. A claimant does not need an address in order to claim what he or she is entitled to. Some of the main benefits available are outlined below. More information, including eligibility, are available on the DWP5 and Jobcentre Plus6 websites.

Income Support provides a basic income to meet the immediate needs of people without an address.

A Social Fund Community Care Grant may be available anyone moving into the community.

When accommodation has been found, Housing Benefit is available to meet reasonable rents, lodging and hostel charges.

Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) is the main benefit for unemployed people. It provides financial help during periods when people are unemployed and looking for work. The conditions for receipt of JSA apply equally to everyone, including those people who may be sleeping rough. Those on JSA can undertake unpaid voluntary work provided they are still looking for work, can be contacted quickly if a job comes up, are willing to attend an interview within 48 hours notice and able to start work within one week.

link here

Like the idea of the lamb, Lucy

about benefits, lets be realistic here.....When you have a home and family and lose your job HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET BENEFITS????

bloody forever IME and everyone else i know, it aint that easy

I know, it took me months to get my benefits sorted. But even so, it was sorted eventually and I doubt if all the people on the street are just waiting for their IS to come through. I think you can get emergency loans too?

oh yes of course you can

we live in a society where we take for granted everyone will get looked after. realistically you dont, not straight away anyway. i feel so sad for some people

Just reread my post, I really must preview, the embarrassing thing is, I am an English teacher [shame emotion would be good here]!

Yes I give to beggars. Some people slip through the system. I think they have a hard life and it is far to easy to judge.

what are they supposed to do while they wait for benefits exactly?

Also, IS is not actually that much and it is very difficult sometimes to get a house from the council. I give to charities to but they don't reach everyone.

I don't buy Big Issue from aggressive sellers.

I walked past the same guy three times today, every time he shouted me and called me darling. I didn't like it much.

There's a woman in the town centre who gets quite aggressive if you don't acknowledge her by saying "no thanks". It's a bit tiresome to constantly say "no thanks" if you have to walk past her a few times during your lunch hour, she will actually shout "snotty bitch" if you start to ignore her shouting

I don't think that's on actually.

I always give to charity tins if I believe in the charity and the tin isn't shaken under my nose. I also won't give to people who knock at the door, I think it's an imposition.

I give by direct debit to various charities, I think I do my bit.

no i dont give money. when i was a smoker if someone asked me i always gave them 4 or 5 fags. i did get asked in brighton and i offered him my butty and crisp which i had bought for my dinner and he said no.

i'd rther buy the big issue - work ethic n all that

to be honest the most intimidating beggars I have ever come across were in brighton, it was about 10 years ago, so it might be different now but it really put me off Brighton.

no
mums pal offered them a sandwhich one day
they were not impressed

I gave a guy in madrid, a can of beer and a sandwich in a carrier bag, which i'd also left my purse in, he chased me up the road to give me my purse back, it restored my faith in humanity!