What do you think about people on benefits spending on luxuries?

Thank you for that reply. I had not really considered the working people getting PIP, although my post was about benefits as a whole rather than just PIP. The main feeling I have about total income is that people who are unable to work and on benefits should get enough to live a comfortable life, as should everyone working a full time job. However, if working people want luxuries, they have to sacrifice something to pay for them, extra time, extra energy, extra stress, etc. I just don't feel it's fair on them for those of us on out-of-work benefits to be able to afford the same luxuries without having to make additional sacrifices. I must also state that I've heard many taxpayers complain about how benefits are spent, particularly from my own family members!

Unfortunately the reason I can't get out now is because I'm trapped in an unsuitable property. I can't change much because it is owned by the landlord. But it is also very small, meaning that most decent kitchen appliances don't fit so I've ended up with cheap ones that don't work (and have have further exacerbated my conditions). The bed is built in, attached to the wall, so I can't change that despite it being very low and uncomfortable, and while I do own a couple of chairs, I ordered a new one that I had to return, and can't face all that hassle again unless I am eventually able to go out and physically test some in shops before buying. I also can't cope with anyone in to redecorate and can no longer do something like that myself.

The problem I have with the current system is that it's all about money. Extra money is of no use in my situation. Yet it seems to make other people jealous and angry.

What I really needed when I first applied for PIP (along with 1 bedroom rate of housing) was access to the Motability scheme. I could only use my own vehicle to travel, always alone, only very short distances, and it had to be very smooth riding, not too firm and not too bouncy due to vertigo & digestive issues. It also had to be very reliable, which was the main problem with my car at the time. On paper, common sense and logic would dictate that someone in that position would hugely benefit from a Motability vehicle, but unfortunately I did not fit any of the PIP Mobility descriptors because I could go out alone on the majority days, irrespective or the distance or vehicle requirements. Motability do not allow external applications. I eventually lost the ability to drive altogether, and was then awarded more money, which seems absolutely absurd.

So now I'm trapped in an awful situation, in a property that is unsuitable and continuing to damage my health, and being completely unable to move or access healthcare now that I cannot travel at all. Yet I'm getting a load of money that I can't use, which adds to my guilt, and means that I'm constantly having to watch the savings limits, causing additional stress. I don't know why anyone would be jealous of this situation, it seems that most believe money would solve all of their problems, which just isn't my experience at all. Honestly, I wish I'd never applied for PIP now, the process caused damage to my health which has not improved since, and the extra money has not created any improvement in my situation, largely because I couldn't access more suitable housing (turned out no-one wants people like me in desirable properties), I couldn't access a more suitable vehicle when I really needed it, and couldn't access suitable healthcare either.

Just to answer the final questions. I don't agree with the £6k savings limit for means testing. It just creates unnecessary stress. If we look at the common things disabled people have to save up for, such as Motability advance payments or private health treatment, that £6k doesn't go very far in todays world. I believe there does need to be a limit, but it needs to be much higher than it currently is. As for whether or not you should get PIP with savings over £6k, to me that depends on what you can use it for. I'm not aware of your specific situation, but if you can spend the money on items that are needed because of the impact of a disability then yes, of course you should get it. But if, like me, the money is of little to no use to your conditions then no I don't believe that's fair. (Again, that's my opinion, not intended to upset anyone and I certainly don't judge anyone individually for which benefit they get or what they spend it on, just a broad general point.) If you have extra financial needs due to a disability but your colleagues don't, then yes I would say it's fair that you get the extra money and they don't.

(Again, just to clarify, this is all my opinion based on my own circumstances and past experiences, not intended to upset anyone.)

I have just bought a new Apple MacBook and will be getting a new iPhone when it’s released next week,my money to spend on whatever I want!

I think because all of us here have got common sense we're assuming everyone has! What I mean is I think probably all of us, tax-payers or not, would be OK with people spending whatever they have left over after essentials on whatever gives them a bit of pleasure but would not be impressed by not being able to feed the children or pay the rent because all the money's been spent on things you do not actually need.