The Welfare System

[Nick]

Much is made, both here and in the media, of welfare scroungers (Abu Hamza etc.)


One also hears of underclaiming (say by "proud pensioners"). It seems more likely to me that some people are well informed about what they can get and others are not. Neediness is no part of this: just knowing what you are entitled to and where to get it! 

OK. So we adopted the Boy in 2002. We have friends who adopted from the same source at the same time. Since then several have had to jump through many hoops and take much time off work to sort out some ghastly problems. We too have had a lot on in the last year or so.

Talking to another adoptive parent on Saturday we discovered that in view of our tribulations (and hers) we are actually entitled to DLA for The Boy. No one has ever mentioned this to us (bastards) but I have just had it confirmed. We could have claimed £300 A MONTH since 2002 had we been aware of this. By my reckoning we are £21000 down over that period, cash which would have helped us pay for stuff like private schooling in small groups (I know , I know) or at least made us less strapped in terms of taking time off, or getting in extra help.

Bastards!!

[Nick]

Thanks. My point is that we are not partticularly hard up (no more than most anyhow) but in innumerable meetings (three more to come this week) no one has ever mentioned this to us. So, how many more are unawareof what they can legitimately claim, whilst others trolley through the system harvesting everything. Weirdly, those who seem to benefit most are often those who are victims of their own fecklessness.

I also have a gripe about means tested benefits, but that is a different one!

[Mrs TG]

Much is made, both here and in the media, of welfare scroungers (Abu Hamza etc.)


One also hears of underclaiming (say by "proud pensioners). It seems more likley to me that some people are well informed about what they can get and others are not. Neediness is no part of this: just knowing what you are entitled to and where to get it! 

OK. So we adopted the Boy in 2002. We have friends who adopted from the same source at the same time. Since then several have had to jump through many hoops and take much time off work to sort out some ghastly problems. We too have had a lot on in the last year or so.

Talking to another adoptive parent on Satruday we discovered that in view of our tribulations (and hers) we are actually entitled to DLA for The Boy. No one has ever mentioned this to us (bastards) but I have just had it confirmed. We could have claimed £300 A MONTH since 2002 had we been aware of this. By my reckoning we are £21000 down over that period, cash which would have helped us pay for stuff like private schooling in small groups (I know , I know) or at least made us less strapped in terms of taking time off, or getting in extra help.

Bastards!!

I can imagine you feel pissed off, my son who is now nearly 25 had learning difficulties and at young age we went to this special centre for family support etc and was told what we could claime etc so we where lucky in getting it since he was 5 also we got ica not sure if that still around, when my son was 16 he got dla lower rate in his own right and today still gets the small minimum which has helped him greatly. have you also heard of the family fund? its a rowntrees thing where you can claim for certain things towards general everyday things and holidays and things

here is the link if you havent.. http://www.familyfund.org.uk/

best of luck x

[Nick]

These replies got int eh wrong order for some reason! 

[Mrs TG]

Thanks. My point is that we are not partticularly hard up (no more than most anyhow) but in innumerable meetings (three more to come this week) no one has ever mentioned this to us. So, how many more are unawareof what they can legitimately claim, whilst others trolley through the system harvesting everything. Weirdly, those who seem to benefit most are often those who are victims of their own fecklessness.

I also have a gripe about means tested benefits, but that is a different one!

i am surpised the social workers etc aint said anything to you,
do look into that family fund thing as i am sure you deserve it, like many other people with children with special needs.
good luck

[Nick]

Nah, thanks but we aren't poor enough   . My rant is about entitlement and knowledge 

surpised the social workers etc aint said anything to you

That would render them useful!

You have a PM

[Mrs TG]

These replies got int eh wrong order for some reason! 

because i dident realise i was on tgs profile so deleted it a reposted it under my own, just to confuse u! 

[Nick]

Trust you to confuse matters. You still have a PM!

[Mrs TG]

Trust you to confuse matters. You still have a PM!

sorted...

[Snoopy]

We learned that a friend of our youngest suffers from the same allergies and eczema as does Minimus. They used to sit together in class. The child's mother told us that she was in receipt of DLA (attendance allowance) because of the additional costs involved with what is known as a weeping skin disease.(Special clothing, has to be all cotton, special diet, no eggs or nuts etc, special washing powder, all his clothes have to be washed separately and so on) We contacted the appropriate department who sent a social worker to see us. She completed the forms and we signed a letter authorising our child's consultant to disclose any relevant information. We were refused the benefit. Naturally we asked why .... it seems that "they" are not allowed to tell us but we can reapply or appeal the decision. We did this and were refused again. When we finally got to tribunal it seems that the consultant had written that he was of the opinion that the child's problems would probably diminish as he got older. We gave up at that point ~ it dodn't seem worth the grief.
Yes Nick you are right ~ if you don't ask you never get told what you are entitled to and if you don't ask they will never tell you. Welcome to the caring society created by Gordon Brown.

[Nick]

We learned that a friend of our youngest suffers from the same allergies and eczema as does Minimus. They used to sit together in class. The child's mother told us that she was in receipt of DLA (attendance allowance) because of the additional costs involved with what is known as a weeping skin disease.(Special clothing, has to be all cotton, special diet, no eggs or nuts etc, special washing powder, all his clothes have to be washed separately and so on) We contacted the appropriate department who sent a social worker to see us. She completed the forms and we signed a letter authorising our child's consultant to disclose any relevant information. We were refused the benefit. Naturally we asked why .... it seems that "they" are not allowed to tell us but we can reapply or appeal the decision. We did this and were refused again. When we finally got to tribunal it seems that the consultant had written that he was of the opinion that the child's problems would probably diminish as he got older. We gave up at that point ~ it dodn't seem worth the grief.
Yes Nick you are right ~ if you don't ask you never get told what you are entitled to and if you don't ask they will never tell you. Welcome to the caring society created by Gordon Brown.

1. The good news is that he, one hopes, will grow out of it. Seems likely, but
2. In the meantime there is inequity in dealing with the problem, then
3. Arises the whole ting about "Help from the State" with such things (right or wrong- that's political)
4. Which may bring us back to the vexed question of means testing and need.

After all, Jagger, McCartney and my rich sister, amongst others, have bus passes and state pensions.WHY?

[TG]

Nah, thanks but we aren't poor enough   . My rant is about entitlement and knowledge 

surpised the social workers etc aint said anything to you

That would render them useful!

You have a PM

I have a PM. I have PM'd you about the PM. I am now confused. 

[Nick]

Mrs TG mucked it up. She got muddled! 

[Snoopy]

I have a bus pass  











But that is because I am disabled, NOT because of age. I also have a blue badge for the car and, because I live in Wales, get free prescriptions ~ tho' as a diabetic I get free prescriptions in England too.

[Nick]

Sure, but so does Jagger, the rest o the Stones, etc etc. It'smy means testing thingy.

Question: Does Jagger automatically get his bus pass and pension, irrespective of income?

If YES: why?

If NO: where does the cash go?