What do you think about people on benefits spending on luxuries?
Hi all, I'm new here.
I suffer from severe anxiety, depression, possibly PTSD or C-PTSD, autism, dyspraxia and a speech impediment. I've been on ESA and PIP since I was a teenager (I'm 31 now), never had a paid job in my life, I've applied for countless jobs over the years and not a single one of them will take me on for whatever reason so I'm waiting to hear back from a voluntary job now to hopefully gain some experience, and hopefully will grow into a paid job one day. However, I am also thinking of taking up some paid hobbies in the meantime to get myself out of the house a bit more and get myself out of my comfort zone. I already go to singing lessons once a week (I love music and I love to sing), used to go horseback riding once a week too, but stopped a while ago to pursue a charity thing I was doing, thinking about going back as I loved it there and while I was there I dreamed of becoming an instructor one day, and also thinking of taking up some other paid hobbies such as joining a gym or starting a martial art or something (I used to love martial arts but had the confidence knocked out of me when I was still at school). Thinking of learning to drive and getting a tattoo maybe, but at the same time I'm so reluctant to because it's not money that I'm earning myself - it is the money of taxpayers, and there are so many people out there who say they have mental illnesses too but they still get up and work full time, and probably don't even get as much I do a month in benefits (which is roughly £1,300 a month I think, not 100% sure though), and I feel so bad when I compare myself to them. I don't want to take advantage of people, and thankfully there are some people who say that benefits are for living and not just surviving, which I'm trying to keep in mind.
I still live with my mum btw, and she pays most of the bills, although I do pay for my subscriptions myself and help out a lot around the house.
Comments
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You can spend your money on anything you want to. Living at home still will obviously mean you may have more money than someone who doesn't live with parents.
I claim benefits too and haven't worked for a very long time due to health conditions. I'm lucky enough to be able to save some of my money and use that for my annual holiday, coming up this week. A year ago I had my first tattoo. I give my grandchildren pocket money and buy them many different treats.
You are not alone in feeling guilty for spending your money on things you like, such as hobbies and we have members here that feel the same way as you.
My advice is do what you want and have fun doing it. 😊
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It's your money to spend it on whatever you decide you want to use it on. It doesn't matter if you've earned it or not, you're entitled to it. It's not your fault that you can't go out and work.
I am in a similar situation to you, I get UC and LCWRA currently and just applied for PIP recently and I also live with my mum. You also have to remember that the processes to get the money you're entitled to isn't an easy process.
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I would be boring if you only spent your money on things that you need. People on benefits like LCWRA and PIP usually treat themselves to an Amazon purchase, or on a hobby.
It boosts mental health.
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@Ironside1990, what about more than one hobby, like I said?
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That's fine @Littleaspiegirl1993
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@Ironside1990 just don't wanna be unfair on taxpayers is all.
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It's not really being unfair to them though, it's money you are entitled to?
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@IntoTheFire1 but some of them are just like "why should taxpayers have to fund your luxuries when most people can't afford them", so it makes me feel bad.
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Yeah, I understand that statement. I hate the way it makes me feel when people say that, but I also remind myself that if I could work, I would. Most of the people on benefits genuinely can't work because of their conditions and daily struggles. It's not easy to get what we're entitled to, so I'd say try and ignore them, but it's easier said than done.
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Thank you, we will and you're welcome. I'm going with my daughter to Rhodes in Greece for 11 nights, flying Saturday afternoon. I can't wait for some sun because that helps so much with my pain.
My tattoo is 3 roses, which includes my late nan's name and the nick name she always called me. Starts from my wrist up to my elbow.
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My opinion is that any assistance to disabled people should not depend on their financial assets, but only on their health.
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This question comes up regularly and it always causes a divide. I suspect the answers would also be very different if you ask most of the general public, rather than a benefits forum.
Personally I don't believe that people on benefits should end up with more disposable income than people that work.
However we're all now stuck in a society that hasn't really been built properly. And many of us are also stuck in a benefits system that doesn't work properly. We're victims of the system unfortunately.
I'm in a similar situation to yourself, end up with far more money than I need now. I had to get PIP in order to get enough housing benefit to cover rent for living alone under 35 (which is necessary due to my conditions) but that meant that in addition to having enough money to cover my rent, I then also had all the PIP money, plus SDP as well because of PIP being a gateway benefit. I don't believe this is 'fair' on taxpayers at all. I don't need all of this money. But what can I do about it? There's no way to voluntarily stop just part of this money. And because I can't go out, and only have a very small property, there's nothing that I can really spend the excess on.
So I think it does need to be considered individually. I would say that learning to drive is a skill that will be used for the rest of your life, so not a waste of money. And I would also say that one tattoo is perfectly acceptable in my opinion, even two or three would be. However, if you then went on to buy a luxury car and have a full body tattoo, that would then be seen as excessive and unfair in my personal opinion, which will be different to other peoples. 🙂
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I do donate to various charities. I cannot donate all of the excess to charity because that would be seen as deprivation of capital.
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Maybe you could pay your mum some board money (if you don't already, that is)?
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@giveusaclue do already.
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I'd say don't feel bad about claiming benefits, disabled folk tend to have a load more outgoings, so it's to help with that. Having hobbies is a great thing, it keeps your mind and body active, gets you socialising a bit and helps your mental health in so many ways. It's good to remember, just because other people have mental health issues and work, it doesn't mean you can work. It affects us all differently.
Have you looked into any paid courses which could help with you finding with eventual work? Even things like little courses on how to use Microsoft products could look great on that CV. 😊 Also setting up a direct debit or similar to pay the rent money to your parents each month could be good maybe? It'll get you used to regular outgoings and help you plan better.
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same age as me haha benefits are so you can live somewhat of a normal life i spend mine on animals cause it keeps me sane have 1* black cat 1* tabby cat 1* ragdoll (luxury animal) and a st bernard dog (luxury animal most expensive thing i have ever bought he was £3000 lol). i use to have fish salt water fish but give them away as i wasnt looking after them properly i didn't have the energy to do water changes every week
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My PIP in part goes towards the care of my 2 dogs and a cat. All are senior themselves and provide great company. Also I have Sky as I’m house bound due to my disabilities and health conditions. I do use a mobility scooter to get some shopping as well as trips to my Doctor’s.
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@Dave1993 but i thought they were for essentials only.
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Sorry, but what did you think were for essentials only?
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