Benefits.....on the sick

Didn't see it but my ex couldn't work because of a "bad back" but somehow managed to go sea fishing and clay pigeon shooting!

Ther's a 'lot of it about!'

I had one a bit like that as well only he managed to play guitar in smokey bars/clubs! Amazing how they made such miraculous recoveries wasn't it?!?

There seems to be a new influx of Mobility Scooters parked outside an Amusement Arcade not far from where I live,it amazes me how fit the people are who park up and walk in then stand all afternoon playing the machines how do they afford it ?

Although you are not meant to be allowed to buy a mobility scooter unless you have some official proof of disability and have had a proper assessment. Once these scooters get on the secondhand market there are no such controls. One was for sale in an auction sale I attended recently.

As a result some fully fit people living in urban areas who cannot afford cars or do not want to use public transport buy these vehicles on the second hand market and use them as town runabouts. I see lots of them in my local shopping centre. They park them outside coffee shops and then get off them and sauter in to buy their coffee and cakes and then wander over to sit at their ease on a bench or table and chairs.

I know that not every persons disability is immediately visible and some one who can walk a short distance over a short period may not be able to walk far or for long, but have heard people say how a member of their family borrows their mobility scooter to get to town quickly or collect children from school.

You can hire them in our town, a lot of day trippers use them. I don't know whether any proof of need is required.

The guy who claimed his hip injury wouldn't allow him to work had acquired a mobility scooter. He went to visit the cemetery on it then walked around and actually ran at one point. He's bought a new engine for it and can get it up to 40mph!

Our local paper has just, this week, carried the story of an NHS consultant, who has been happily working at his private practice, while claiming sick pay from the NHS.

It seems that benefit cheats are found across all sections of society.

It is unfortunate that some people choose to abuse the benefit system, why can't they see that by doing so they are depriving someone who genuinely needs help.

I don't think the penalties when they are caught are severe enough. They should be made to repay all the money they have stolen (because that is what it is) and if it means selling their possessions then so be it, rather than a prison sentence they should have to work as assistants to those who are genuinely disabled (under supervision of course)

Its so unfair. These people are making life difficult for those who genuinely need help. I'm afraid I saw it every day when I was working. I found it hard to bite my tongue eg when hearing about a client "on the sick" who I knew for certain sure did not have any reason for not working. He even told me exactly how to fool assessors. He was very good at it.
It was sickening when I then saw people in real need of extra help but who wouldn't dream of bothering anyone far less applying for any form of benefit (for which they were all too clearly eligible.) These benefit cheats do more than rob tax payers, they steal the good name of those in genuine want.

What percentage are you talking about, Jane10?

Which channel was it on?

Anyone can buy a new mobility scooter , no assessment or proof of disability needed .

welfaretales.wordpress.com/2015/09/20/whats-wrong-with-benefit-sanctions/

An antidote to the programme.

The DWP can and in fact do demand repayment if they can prove fraud. They can also prosecute for fraud, but it is difficult to do as they have to either find a date for 'change of circumstances' or prove fraudulent intent from the start.
Very difficult when they are fooling their GPs and consultants as well

Don't know percentages dj. Just people.

I have a relative by marriage who has been on what he describes as ''the long term sick'' for many years. I have yet to discover what it is that prevents him from working.
He manages to paint and decorate the whole house on a regular basis, and has a cash in hand job delivering take aways every evening.
His wife, who also does not work, and their children want for nothing and his MIL describes him as a ''real grafter''.

Anyone who knows someone is committing fraud can report them. There is a dedicated fraud line.
If you know for a fact that someone is committing fraud, is it not your duty to report them? Otherwise you are just colluding in what you condemn.

Jane, how many people do you know who are cheating, and how many people do you know who do not claim when they should?

True durhamjen

Truth is that I am no longer in contact with this family member due to a divorce so circumstances could have changed.

dj I don't keep records of this! Over the years I've worked with probably thousands of families and individuals. The people that stick out in my mind are those who need and would be entitled to much more help yet won't ask for it and those who were blatantly 'at it'.

anniebach I think it was ch 5

Thank you Katek

Anyone else want to sign this before tomorrow?

www.change.org/p/barnet-homes-don-t-evict-my-family-and-provide-my-father-with-an-accessible-home?source_location=trending_petitions_home_page&algorithm=curated_trending

This man deserves better.