Are you on benefit?

[Maurice]

I was amused/bemused to read Southwark tops the list in terms of caseload when it comes to benefit claimants. I also just read how Lambeth is piloting voice software that can flag when someone may be telling a fib, and thus demand a higher threshold of documentation/proof for claims.

So with so many of you out there, I thought I would offer a stage. Are you on benefit? What type? Do you feel it is enough for given your circumstances? Do you believe there is too much fraud?

I'm anxiously await replies, tissue in hand to dab off the spit.

[lozzyloz]

Do you work for the DHSS or the fraud squad?

[Maurice]

Oh goodness no. They use traps via post. You know 'you've won a new car come claim it here' type thing. Marvelous.

[*Bob*]

I spent a good couple of years on the old rock and roll. Had a fine time. Thanks, everyone!

[Maurice]

I'm happy to have helped. I hope it got you through the rough patch and back on your feet. That's what it's all about, yes? Well done.

[downsouth]

"I was amused/bemused to read Southwark tops the list in terms of caseload when it comes to benefit claimants."

why?

[Alan Dale]

I am on benefit.

Or rather my kids are. We get child benefit. I think it's too much as we don't spend it but rather pay it directly into their savings accounts.

Not sure what you mean by 'too much fraud'. Do you mean so much that the benefit should be stopped and the innocent should suffer. If so then there is definitely not too much fraud. I think benefit fraud is massively overreported and miniscule in comparison to tax evasion.

Tax evasion is much less taboo than benefit fraud though. That seems unfair to me.

[Maurice]

Perhaps you are correct dear Alan. Though I would suspect tax evaders re-invest keeping the economy more bouyant and the 'pyramid' more robust.

I'm curious why one should receive child benefit from the state if not really needed. I'm sure I've missed something.

[Alan Dale]

All kids get it Mo.

Are you saying benefit fraudsters don't spend the cash they steal? I think they spend a higher proprotion of the cash they steal than tax evaders do.

[*Bob*]

Everyone gets CB if they have a C.

[Maurice]

Ah but spend it to fuel us all. I hadn't realised all kids get state benefit. Marvelous! And better yet that you are teaching them to save Alan.

[lozzyloz]

I quite liked the recent scam (involves benefits and tax) where some disbled guys were buying Lamborghinis and Ferraris fitted with a disabled device like a knob on the steering wheel, avoiding VAT and reselling at a nice profit. Fraudsters or Entrepreneurs?

[SeanMacGabhann]

Large multi-national company?? those companies are on HUUUUGE amounts of benefit

Otherwise they will take their ball and play somewhere else. Apparently

[DaveR]

The National Audit Ofice consistently refuse to sign off the accounts of the DWP because they simply don't know how much they lose to fraud. If you include under 'fraud' anybody receiving more than their strict legal entitlement, it is a truly massive sum. Tax credits are a similar scenario, with the added glitch that the way the system is designed means that millions are overpaid every year with little prospect of reclaiming more than a small proportion of it. The willingness of doctors to provided certificates to anyone who asks for them has led to a huge rise in the number of people receiving benefit on the basis that they are unfit to work, although there is little other evidence to suggest that there genuinely is a health crisis amongst the working population.

It's a mess.

[*Bob*]

We've all seen the episode of Wife Swap where the chinless wonder woman and her limp husband trade with Lizzy 'The Beard' Bardsley - and Mrs Chinless sees how much benefit they get and is outraged, yeah? DOLE SCUM!

Well there are a few headlinetastic cases of Ms Wotsit and her 18 kids who get get a four bedroomed house for nowt and ?60k a year in her back skyrocket. But they live like shit and if you think they're 'appy, think again.

As for me, I was on 'income support' which worked out to around ?33/week. I tried spending it all on booze, drugs, fags, gambling and a big TV (like the papers tell us THEY do) - but (surprise!) I found that with food, clothes, travel, electricity, gas etc etc etc to account for as well - it didn't really stretch too far.

[Alan Dale]

I got job seekers allowance after Uni before moving to London. It was about ?30 odd quid a week. I only got bevvied on cash that I borrowed or defrauded from my parents...

[mockney piers]

I was on job seekers between sixth form and uni, about 2 months.

And yep, spent all of it down the pub.

Thence to uni with full grant and similar results for 3 years (well, booze and rent). Thank you Her Madge's Government, very kind.

[Alan Dale]

DaveR Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> If

> you include under 'fraud' anybody receiving more

> than their strict legal entitlement, it is a truly

> massive sum.

You don't - that's bad admin not fraud.

I agree that some elements of the benefit system should be simplified but calling the problem benefit fraud blames the recipients rather than the providers of the benefit. That's not fair.

[*Bob*]

The system encourages fraud - especially in the honest.

I started-out as an honest claimant, but by the end of it I was a complete crook. And it was their fault, not mine.

[Alan Dale]

That's true. The bird at the job centre told me that I could apply for housing benefit even though I told her my Mum and Dad were happy to put me up for free...

[Maurice]

Oh don't get me started on housing benefit. I'm need my vapours.

[Alan Dale]

Why don't you get angry about tax evasion Mo?

Seems you like to target the defenceless...

[SeanMacGabhann]

Come on Mo don't do a hit and run...

*Bob* made the very good point (which rarely gets any coverage in the meeja) - at least counter it - that it just isn't the norm for people to be living the life of reilly on benefit. Or anything like it

(for benefit see also minimum wage)

[Ant]

Child benefit, plus a little extra as the youngest is disabled. Not that much though. It just about pays for travel to all the physio, hospital appointments etc.

[Keef]

Maurice Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Though I would suspect tax evaders re-invest keeping the economy

> more bouyant and the 'pyramid' more robust.

That's alright then.

I signed on for a few months once when I was (surprise surprise) living in Liverpool... Only did it for acceptance and street cred you understand.

I think more money is wasted giving all the teenagers free bus passes. Make them walk so I don't have to listen to their mobile phone music!!!