General Chat

I worked all my life, from 16, with an 8 month break to have a child, going from one job straight to another. A true invalid has my sympathy and is entitled to support but, come on, if a person can get out and about then shouldn't they be at work, even if it's in an easier job than they were trained for? I am fed up with stories about benefit cheats. How does everyone else feel? Independant and proud of it! UPDATE Sorry, this does not include those mentally disabled

Unfortunately there are popele who are receipt of this benefit who have a mental illness rather than physical so it is not possible to tell that when they are out and about. Jacky x

Doubt I'll get many replies to this, the ones who feel like me will be at work!! Dilys

I do agree with you though! There are too many that claim that shouldn't. But unfortunately, by clamping down on them, it ruins the system for those that do need it. I do work but I am off sick!! Jacky x PS Without pay!!

Hi Jenny, I think that there are probably quite a few drawing benefit that shouldn't be. I once tried to report someone who I knew to be getting disability benefit, had a parking badge and was doing very nicely for himself on the side. When he thought no-one was around the recovery he made was astounding. So much so he could work. When I phoned the benefit office they asked questions, what time does he leave the house in the morning, where does he go, does he drive, what is his national insurance no, what clothes does he wear when he goes out. Obviously I was prepared to give some info, but was told if I could not provide the above they couldn't do anything. I was amazed that they thought I would know his NI no. I had said I was just a member of the public. I don't work due to a medical condition, and have no benefits. Well, just one he is called my husband. lol Christine

Well the obvious answer to this is... NO, of course "work-shy skivers" shouldn't claim. However those who really are unable to work should get the support that they need. The problem is, proving which is which.

I am in total agreement with you. I knew of someone a few years back who had been awarded an invalidity benefit for life, and it was renewed each year without a medical. In the meantime, this person regained full health, worked self-employed and never declared a penny to the benefit agency or to the IR. When they were finally caught up with, it shocked all of us to learn the truth. It infuriates me. We all know that there is not bottomless pit of dosh. I have a severely disabled grandson, and his parents have worked and paid tax, never claiming a penny they weren't entitled to. Anything else they might have been able to claim, such as grants for adapting the home etc., has been means tested and subsequently refused, or the door shut firmly in their faces because his disabilities are so complex that social services say they cannot afford to meet the cost of providing the support he and his family so desperately need. Recent reports have shown that the more disabled a child is, the less help they are likely to get, which is utter madness! and it all boils down to lack of money. Money should go to those who need it the most, and I am certain that not one tax payer would begrudge their contributions going to people who are genuinely in need, but I for one begrudge my family's hard earned cash going to support some skiving lay-about who thinks the world owes them a living. Carole

I agree totally. I'm in receipt of long term incapacity benefit but I'd love to be well enough to go back to work. I have to get sick notes from my doctor every 4 weeks and have a medical examination by an independent doctor every 3 months to prove that my condition still prevents me from working. As I can barely walk, there's no dispute at the moment! However I was encouraged by the doctor and the specialist to apply for Disability Living Allowance, their theory being that if the DLA would cover me being able to get to work by taxi each day (eliminiating the need for walking and using the bus) I could return to work, come off the Incapacity Benefit and get some of my life back. I know people who get DLA who can drive, go shopping, have holidays twice a year, go to the football in all weathers every weekend....without getting TOO personal, on bad days I can't even get myself dressed, I can't sit or stand for long periods of time, I'm on regular morphine for pain relief....and my application was turned down as I don't meet the criteria for someone with mobility problems. The system needs a whole good shake up. You have people who claim consistently without really being entitled and without proper monitoring of their eligibility and then on the other hand, there are people who are genuinely incapacitated who are made to justify every penny Lou

Louise good for your husband, there is the difference of those that want to work, and others who just like a hand out (like the skivers you mention). All the time these people get away with it , there is less in the pot for the genuine claimants who need help. Christine

I totally agree that there are people "sponging off the state" and they shouldn't be allowed to get away with it but while the unemployment benefit is less than invalidity benefit, people will try to get away with it. I am not getting at the genuine cases that receive invalidity benefit, I am only too aware of these people and they get my sympathy. I had to smile though when TB says they should be working, is he not aware that there are a lot of people out there that would love to work but cant find a job! Thousands are being made redundant every week and would love a job. When will this government realise, there are not enough jobs available, They are just playing around with figures and they expect us to be taken in by it all. Right I've put the soap box away now. sorry! June xx

I have asthma (defined as a disability under The Disability Act bt the Occupational Health doctor) - Worked through that with the help of my husband dropping me off and picking me up from work each day - apart from mega attacks/hospitalisation. I have recurring back/sciatic problems - worked through those too. I've even laid in the disabled loo to stretch and unlock my spine/leg enough to be able to sit at a desk for a while longer. I have had ulcers on my finger ends caused by Reynauds disease - worked though that too - coping with jokes about snooker referees when wearing gloves over dressings.! lol So on and so on.... Then depression hit! - NO I couldn't work with that - It was all I could do to wash and dress - and I often didn't for days. I received Incapacity benefit after SSP ran out and onto long term ICB. I suppose I could have claimed for DLA as offered - since both my asthma and the depression were deemed to be that incapacitating - but I didn't. I wasn't ready to go back to work - the idea terrified me - I would not have been able to cope. My third time of seeing a DSS doctor for review - I was lucky enough to be having one of very few 'really good days'. I have never been one to 'lay it on thick' (as I have been advised by some less scrupulous people to do) and consequently was regarded as being fit for work and benefit was stopped. They offered me help under the Disability Back to Work Scheme - but quite honestly I was still not ready for work. I have not worked or claimed benefit since and it is only in the last few months that I have considered myself fit for work after an illness of 3 years. Yes it does make me mad to see people claiming benefit that shouldn't be entitled to it and the ruling of 'Fit for ANY work' does not seem to be being applied in some cases. I do wonder though if this is yet another ploy to massage figures. They MAY make in roads into the massive burden of Incapacity Benefit/Long Term ICB/Invalidity Benefit - but will they show the no doubt subsequent increase in Job Seekers Allowance/Income Support payments?? - Probably not. Magsx

My husband is on invalidity benefit - the grand sum of about £70 a week! As some of you know he was knocked of his motor bike by a car in May 1995 and has been unable to work since, although he would like to. He has a disabled badge, and like Lou, was turned down for DLA as he is 'not disabled enough'. He uses 2 crutches to walk and is in constant pain, taking a mixture of tablets just to get through the day. He is able to drive an automatic car, and walk for a short distance on flat ground. He is unable to sit or stand in one place for longer than about 30 minutes at a time. He also needs to catnap during the day as he usually can only sleep for an hour or so at a time during the night because the pain is so bad. He also needs regular hospital appointments as he also has leukaemia in it's early stages and is diabetic (probably both caused by the stress of the past 10 years). What employer would want a worker like that.? On the plus side, he has been able to see our grandchildren grow and develop - when our children were growing up he worked from early morning until late at night to keep the wolves from the door! Our eldest son says he is a 'Professional Grandad' when asked what his father does! LOL I also have a friend with MS. She is in remission at the moment, but gets DLA as she cannot feel the difference between hot and cold and could easily scald herself or her young son. She was told to claim and it was granted to her. It seems to me that it just depends who assesses you on the day, as I know of another girl with MS who doesn't qualify. Sue xx

my brother has grand mall epilepsy. he worked for 6 years with the condition but then the specialist told him he could no longer work. he was distraught.he would love to work but is medically unable to.he is 36 years old!! he isnt work shy at all ,just unable to work. there is also my son,he is 28 years old. he has worked since he left school,but has just been diagnosed with narcolepsy! again,the dr has signed him off for safety reasons. he is awaiting an appointment to see the neurosurgeon,which hopefully will prescribe medication. my son wants nothing more than to go back to work . so not everyone who is able to get out and about is fit for work. susie

Prime example is that guy in Eastenders. I know it's fiction but there are probably a lot of them about. For many years I've had problems with my spine and as I'm getting older it's becoming progressivly worse. A few years ago I lived in Belgium for four years and as a result I did'nt pay my NI stamp. (I know silly me) When I got back I tried to get work. In the application forms they give you there is a section on health, and I would put, 'occasional back problem'. Guess what? No one wanted to know. I then applied for Incapacity Benefit, even went to be examined by one of their own doctors who agrred I did have a problem and would find it difficult working in a shop and having to stand for hours. They would'nt pay me beacuse they said I had'nt paid any stamps in the last two years and therefore was not entitled to any money. I started work at fifteen, stopped for five years to have my children and carried on until 1997.

We had 7 yrs living in Kenya, during which time my husband paid a regular voluntary NI contribution. After that time we returned and were not able to claim unemployment benefit, my husband was even told if he wasn't British he would have got it. We had 3 children and were not even able to get fanily allowance until one of us started work, so I went to an Office service bureau, and got temp jobs, so that we could at least claim some family allowance. Took hubby 3 months of trying until he eventually found work, and when he did he was offered 2 jobs, so got a choice. It's annoying to see the undeserved get benefits so easily, whilst those who REALLY need help seem to be fighting an uphill battle to get what they should be entitled to. Val

I was diagnosed with Arthritis through out my body, as any sufferer will know we have good days and bad days, I do work ( off at the moment recovering from surgery) full time, I only asked for help with the car as I would other wise have to get 2 buses to work, and any one who knows the south west knows that is a night mare and expensive, I was turned down, I have managed to get an ex-disability car, but it leaves me short each month, but I can hold my head up and say I support my family my self, I have always worked and for me if I was not able to work and get out, I would go stir crazy. I feel for the genuine ones who have it so bad because of the few skivers. Bev

This really makes my blood boil! I know that there are genuine cases who are entitled to the help they recieve but those who deliberately abuse the system really wind me up! A woman that I knew vaguely was claiming a fortune as she was "agrophobic"! Not only did she claim invalidity, she also claimed carers allowance and mobility allowance! She had her rent paid for and council tax! This woman was also working full time and was bragging about how she conned the system! She isnt bragging anymore....and I will let you draw your own conclusions!!! Bev

Some of your stories have made me feel very humble, perhaps I should put my soap box away! Dilys

Dilys don't put your soap box away, you have only voiced what a lot of us feel, the genuine ones are the ones being left out of the system, for the work shy skivers, it is up lifting to see so many posertive people out there who have genuine problems getting on with it, the best they can, at the end of the day they may have less money, but they are richer in knowing that they have their dignaty. Good luck to all of you who are strong enough to cope with what life throw at you. Bev

I know of a couple who both claim sickness benefit and have never worked,,and there's nothing wrong with them,!1 I pay huge amounts of tax to keep leeches like this in their comfortabel existance,