Almost Canadian

Trouble is, if everybody thinks like that, who is going to pay for it?

If one can't afford to bring up kids, don't have them.

There is simply no exuse for not wanting to work if you are able to, anything else is just nonsense. Why should any taxpayer have to pay for those that don't want to work?

Life is a shit sandwich, it's not fair, and it's not just.

BristolUK

I prefer to think of it as taking advantage of resources available rather than milking the system.

The "working Family" Benefits always existed for people in work with kids. When I started working for DHSS (as was) in 1973 the allowance was called Family Income Supplement. It became Family Credit and then other name changes to Working Families Tax Credit.

The CSA was a farce from the very beginning. The "need" for it only arose because DSS was so underfunded that the sections within the department that were responsible for chasing maintenance were so often suspended with the staff being used to cover shortages on the benefit paying side.

A fraction of the set-up and running costs of the CSA spent on staffing DSS properly to begin with would have enabled maintenance payments to have been enforced properly.

That has to be one of the biggest outrages that never became public knowledge.

Almost Canadian

Or they could have just left the jurisdiction for assessing child support and enforcing payments with the Civil Courts.

Piff Poff

I saw people that had social workers - they got far more money than I ever did because I didn't have a social worker, when I applied for things that these other people got, I was turned down - obviously because I didn't have a social worker and didn't know how to milk the system. You obviously thing the benefit system works really well for everyone.

It was a great day when I could say - actually I don't need or want benefits anymore thank you. I do appreciate that the benefit system in the UK is one of the best. I would hate to be a single parent on minimum wage here - in fact I'm not sure how they do it here - there's just not enough buy one get one free deals and there doesn't seem to be a VALUE brand in the supermarkets.

BristolUK

Yes...but it was often only DSS that began those proceedings to begin with. Many parents weren't bothered about it, not caring because they were going to get money from 'the social' anyway, and it was only when DSS was trying to protect public money that the subject of maintenance came up.

BristolUK

You could not be further from the truth.

One of the things I said was that many people were better of in work IF they took advantage of the resources available.

I know some people don't for whatever reason that may be.

I do know there are people who would get things but don't because, as you say, they don't have support workers. That doesn't mean the system is wrong though, does it?

Sometimes it needs a professional to present the case.

Piff Poff

You don't always know where to get help when you find yourself in this situation though. I had some help in obtaining a house and the 1st benefit applications from the refuge I was in - after that I was on my own and I know I'm only 1 of many. I've said enough now.

BristolUK

I don't disagree with you. But what's the answer? Employ people to go around knocking on doors regularly on the off chance someone there needs help with any number of different specialised circumstances? Or target specialist advice where it's likely to be needed.

You actually found yourself in a particular situation and you got the appropriate help. It sounds like it worked on that occasion.

There are numerous benefit guides easily available in Post Offices, Social Security Offices, Clinics....all sorts of places. They list benefits by title and if someone is unsure of the name or even existence of a particular benefit they are also listed by subject...eg Disabled or Sick or lone parent or bereaved etc.

Family Credits (and other new benefits/new rules) have been advertised on TV, in the newspapers, inserts in child benefit books (when they were common)...

That last one was a very good way of reaching parents since they were getting child benefits on a book already...but it's amazing the number of people who didn't bother to read the information.

DSS has sent out mobile units to shopping centres, community events, speakers have addressed community groups, employers...

Just what more can be done to make people aware of things?



.

BondGirl

Always keep your words sweet, u never know when u might need to eat them

Piff Poff

There's no need to get stroppy! It was 12.5 years ago when I needed the help and information wasn't readily available to me then, I didn't go to social security offices - the Drs I went to didn't have a leaflet board that was up to date. From what you have just posted it sounds as though there is more help and information available to a normal person these days, which is good. Due to the circumstances I found myself in I was very vulnerable and just wanted to keep my head down, I got initial help but after that and when I started work I found it very difficult to get information and the helplines were not helpful unless you knew what you wanted - as I say, it sounds as though things have changed.

BristolUK

You really thought I sounded stroppy? It wasn't intended.

I wouldn't say it was so much that things have changed...more like there were inconsistencies.

DSS mobile units (The Benefits Bus) were out and about in the south west in the 80s. I was on a liaison committee involving the women's aid organisation that ran refuges throughouth the 90s. As a result we had a special relationship with the support workers which meant we administered all the claims from my office, regardless of where the refuges were. The women got a same day payment service if needed.

Liaison meetings involving different organisations were common.

Bristol had multi agency offices as long ago as 14 years ago where people could get several services in the same building.

If someone had a need for a service there was a very good chance of other useful resources being identified.

I remember sitting in my dentist's waiting room in the 1970s and seeing the DSS leaflets there advising people of help available. Assessing people's claims for help with dental treatment was a part of my job at the time and I remember being impressed at the information they had there.

I found useful leaflets at the post office and library that we didn't have displayed at work.

If I was trying to be stroppy, I'd read this and ask why on earth not?
You are complaining that social security info wasn't readily available to you yet you didn't go to a social security office when it was needed.

Piff Poff

Thinking back I must have gone to one once when I was making a claim from the refuge BUT I didn't know what the building was, there wasn't anywhere I could go for help locally to my new home - I was 45 mins away by car from the nearest town - a 2 hour bus ride - I didn't have the money - I was very naive then and I guess I am still now - maybe I should have lived in the South West eh?

BristolUK

You know what's funny? When I worked for the DSS I was almost ashamed to tell people.

Now I've left I find myself defending the department.

Who'd a thunk it?

Piff Poff

Same way as I'm defending single mums - I used to hate telling people I was on my own because I always got that look.

BristolUK

The Conservatives demonised single parents. Ironic really, when you consider how many some of them were responsible for.

Cecil Parkinson?