Originally Posted by cancov (Post 5300270)

I stayed off this thread, but the recent posts really struck a chord with me.

When I was leaving a violent, abusive relationship, I spent almost two years homeless (shelter, other people's spare rooms etc) with two kids before the council could provide me with a council house.

So, with raising two kids, escaping domestic violence, going through numerous Court battles and 'system battles', social service investigations (after my ex maliciously accused me of child abuse),studying to try and better myself,going to counselling to deal with PSTD and regaining my sanity, I had no choice but to claim benefits. Holding down a job at that time was not possible-how I even made it through without completely losing my mind I still marvel at.

When I finally got my council house I too was so proud and happy just to have a place to call home. My new home was actually a recent crack house. Despite the disgusting state that it was in, I got no decoration allowance because there were the remenents of crack-smoke stained wallpaper on the walls. So I had to just put up with the decor after spending hours cleaning the yellow brown residue off the walls and ceiling with a wallpaper scraper!There were used condoms in the downstairs toliet and at least a foot of rubbish in the back garden. There were stolen computers from a bank in the loft that I had to get the police to come and collect! It was degrading to be expected to move my children in there. But I was humble and thankful for what I saw as help in my situation and I made it the cleanest dive going!!We had no curtains and no carpets and only bits and peices of furniture that I had literally collected from someone's garbage pile in the neighbourhood.

My son has Arthritis and I had to fight the system for a 100 pound crisis loan for a bed for him, because they said the need for a bed was not a crisis.....budgeting loans (for clothes, furniture etc) could only be applied for after 6 months of a different kind of benefits. Begging for money for a bed for a disabled child was not fun!

The complication in my case was that I only got benefits for a single person-the system didn't class me as having kids because of the way my ex had screwed me over and manipulated the child benefit (having it put in his name and fighting my attempts to have it in my name). So, no child benefit meant no child tax credit, no housing benefit for a 3 bed house (only a single person allowance), no school meals for my kids etc etc. Oh, and to top it all off...the CSA came after me to pay him child support!!!!!! They were docking that from my benefits.

I could go on and on about my situation back then, but I definately was no scrounger. I was truly in need and would have gladly accepted any hand-out I could have found. We needed it.

Not all people on benefits are the stereotype. There are many hardworking people who are on low incomes who need that top-up. I just can't stand it when people look down on others.

I worked hard to drag myself out of that situation and better myself. But I would never stand in judgement of others. It is not my place to do so.

Originally Posted by boxerdog03 (Post 5304272)

Your is the type of story that just highlights how much our benefit system sucks. I had difficulties with my stepdad when I was younger and had to sleep rough, on mates floors at 16, I went for help and was just told I was too young and to go home, which was not an option for me at the time.

From my experience it's the people who know how to work the system that get all the money, it's also these that do not want to drag themselves out of the system. They should be the people who are targeted and the genuine people, who find themselves in difficulity through no fault of their own, that are given support to the benefits they are entitled to.

Originally Posted by batty-x-ray (Post 5304263)

How was the tea??

Originally Posted by Calgal (Post 5304348)

Lovely thanks!

Milk, no sugar and very strong! :thumbsup: Good ol' working class British style tea.

Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 5300461)

I wonder if the original poster and his/her acolytes have the moral fortitude to respond to this and other similar recent posts on this thread?

Originally Posted by mclauchlan35 (Post 5304386)

When I started the post it was about this person who is taking the system for a ride

Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 5304889)

One still wonders why? This is supposed to be a forum discussing issues of concern to people emigrating to Canada. Not somewhere to post personal anecdotes, inflammatory or otherwise.

Good. It's mutual.

Originally Posted by Calgal (Post 5304970)

'scuse me, Mr. Novo, sir - but I have to pull you up on that one. This IS the Maple Leaf, which we were given as our playground to post whatever we wanted to about whatever (I should know - I was one of the ones that got a spanking from Biiiiink for persistent hijacking of the Canadian lifestyle forum :o )

I have always been a very good girl, and was hence mortified to find such a blot on my reputation - it was all the others fault miss, honest :blink:

Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 5304976)

Good point, well made. This is indeed the Maple Leaf and all sorts of nonsense are de rigeur. For example, I have just suggested marriage to HWP, surely a more ridiculous proposition than the OP's, if only because you know already of my undying devotion to you.

Originally Posted by Calgal (Post 5304979)

So you've been cheating on me?? :mad: Herrrumph!

Originally Posted by Calgal (Post 5303943)

Hands up! I took child allowance. We paid into the system and took what we were "entitled" to. Whether or not that entitlement is just, is another discussion.

I think those who are referred to in this thread as living on benefits and hand outs simply because they can, and can't be arsed to get OFF their arse and work or contribute in some way are scroungers, yes! (I'm ashamed to say there are a few in my own family!! They too, know how to 'work' the system and there is no genuine reason for any of them not be working. Their children are learning from their parents and also not working - it makes me SO angry).

Was I a scrounger for taking my child allowance - in my opinion, no. We have worked and paid all the relevant taxes/NI etc. We paid our dues and took what the system offered. The 'scroungers' are doing the same - fair play! It's the system that's at fault for making it possible!! Unfortunately the users of that sytem become the target, regardless of their personal situation. Piff Poff and Cov are definitely NOT in the same category. They are examples of how the system should be used - to help out those in serious distress.

The difference is, most of us have self respect and values which make us responsible citizens that contribute to society by working and paying our taxes. I think the complaints here are about the people that take, without ever seeming to put anything back. I have a problem with that, too!

< Steps off soapbox, kicks it back under chair and goes to pour another cuppa - Tetley, of course! ;) >

Originally Posted by mclauchlan35 (Post 5282706)

She has 3 kids two to my mate and one to another guy.

20 hours per week teaching assistant Job £770 per month
Maintainance from my friend £385 per month
Other Childs Dad £250 per month
WORKING TAX CREDIT £250 A WEEK £1083 A MONTH
And another £150 or so child benefit.

Giving her a average weekly take home of over £600 a week.:curse::curse:

Fairness in the UK your having a f*****g laugh, and my friend is toiling after he pays her and the his own mortgage.To make matters worse she has a new car with a private plate, O and she gave him a lift the other night and asked if he liked her cruise control (you couldn't make this sh*t up).

O and she is livid cause her mortgage is rising £60 pm. Surely she must be telling lies to the government about her income her net disposable income is better than mine!!!!!!!!!!! (GREADY COW)

END OF LONG RANT:curse:


Danny

Originally Posted by mandymoochops (Post 5306477)

It isn't right or fair but we make our own decisions and paths in life - and ultimately the majority of us on here are the lucky ones - with the opportunity to live our lives in the best way we know how in a great country.