can this be right

[Oberon]

What riles me more than anything else is the heroin addicts and alcoholics who all get disability benefits.

I've seen a woman with an infected leg ulcer (secondary to injecting drugs and messing up the circulation in the leg) who wouldn't go to a GP because she couldn't register with a new one in her new area, as it would mess up her DLA claim

Injecting drugs will lead to ulcers, poor circulation, depression and anxiety = DLA
Alcoholism leads to GIT disorders, liver problems, depression and anxiety = DLA

And what do you suppose the money they get goes on? And when they run out - they go stealing for the money.

I spoke to a gentleman recently who was outraged he could no longer afford to smoke weed because his benefits had decreased.

And I know addiction is tragic - but there is help out there. But they're often too far gone

 

[FairyLights]

This will be sure to infuriate some/most of you:

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/court_order_for_benefits_cheat_rider_1_4078183

This is like those arab breeders/judges earlier this year. They were claiming DLA and were mucking out,showing horses and so on. Got caught.

 

[kaiko]

Wow this one really kicked off!

Like most hard working adults out there it also winds me up. I was left with huge debts when I broke from my ex and at one point was working 6 days and 4 nights a week with an office job and night club work. I did this for over year to ensure I kept a roof over my head. At the same time I retrained myself and launched into a new career that thankfully allows me to enjoy my life again. I'm self employed so have no security but I work darn hard to ensure that my reputation and work are first class. I'm still studying further on top of an average 50hr a week job.

At 31 I have my own house (mortgaged), 2 horses (1 retired) and a nice car. I take holidays but i'm still not in a position to have children yet but I will have cleared my debts by march. I had a plan and I stuck to it, I've never claimed benefits a day in my life and I take pride in knowing I worked hard for what I have.

At the end of the day, it's a product of our society, but concentrate on yourself. Karma is a b!tch and as my wonderful Gran used to say "Dont worry about the things you can't change, focus on the things you CAN change"

 

[horsesatemymoney]

Wow this one really kicked off!

Like most hard working adults out there it also winds me up. I was left with huge debts when I broke from my ex and at one point was working 6 days and 4 nights a week with an office job and night club work. I did this for over year to ensure I kept a roof over my head. At the same time I retrained myself and launched into a new career that thankfully allows me to enjoy my life again. I'm self employed so have no security but I work darn hard to ensure that my reputation and work are first class. I'm still studying further on top of an average 50hr a week job.

At 31 I have my own house (mortgaged), 2 horses (1 retired) and a nice car. I take holidays but i'm still not in a position to have children yet but I will have cleared my debts by march. I had a plan and I stuck to it, I've never claimed benefits a day in my life and I take pride in knowing I worked hard for what I have.

At the end of the day, it's a product of our society, but concentrate on yourself. Karma is a b!tch and as my wonderful Gran used to say "Dont worry about the things you can't change, focus on the things you CAN change"

I love stories like this (not the bad situation that you found yourself in!) but how you have turned it around- not much to say on the debate but well done OP it's good to hear that you have worked so hard to turn your fortunes around

 

[FionaM12]

I am going to have a real good rant.a family I know , who do not work , havent for years . daughter in thirties living with someone two kids never been to work in her life,have enough money coming in from the state to keep three ponies 14 hand ish at livery £30 pound a week each. to run a car and have all new tack and rugs.I very often meet the grandma to this family who delights in telling me how well they are doing and how they have ridden out several times a week.I AM LIVID its bad enough the tax payers are paying for their lifestyle me being one, without having my nose rubbed in it.yes I am jealous, I feel while I work they are living the life of Riley. I really have to bite my tongue when talking to them I just want to shout in their faces I AM PAYING FOR THIS.

well done OP it's good to hear that you have worked so hard to turn your fortunes around

I don't understand. All the OP has told us is her/his resentment of that family. Nothing about their own fortunes.

 

[Ladydragon]

I hope to employ my first employee next year. I will be seeking advice before doing so because quite frankly i would rather employ someone who isnt getting masses of cash or fantastic working family tax credit. Some weeks in a small business you just can t take a wage.. imagine struggling to pay someones wages when they were getting masses of cash and fantastic wftc... and then trotting off home after their alotted 16 hours?

16hrs is the starting point for eligibility to claim WTC... Many full time workers won't exceed the threshold for claiming WTC... There are extra allowances built into the WFTC calculations for working more than 30 hrs per week... I believe something in excess of 70% of working families receive some level of WTC...

 

[noblesteed]

see equally I always find it a bit odd that people moan that they or their partner is earning £40k + .

Yes it is bloody disgusting that I have to moan about husband earning £40+k a year... It bloody well should be a good wage but I am afraid it ISN'T ENOUGH to support a family... Let alone pay for horses...
It works out at just over £2000 a month take-home pay due to the ridiculous amount of tax etc that he has to pay... When the bills for mortgage, utilities, some food and insurance come to £1700 a month that leaves a little over £300 a month to live on? Then we have to put £200 a month in fuel into the car so he can actually GET to work? The fact is on that salary we cannot afford to live, we would have to sell our house, move somewhere cheaper? Oh we can't because husband's job is HERE....therefore I will have to leave baby in childcare so I can go back to work too.

Dear me some people really need to get in the real world! This country does NOT reward the people who work hard!

We would be far better off on benefits!!!!! The only plus side is that in 20 years we will own a house... SO our kids will get some money? NO CHANCE! Once we are old and ill the local authority will sell our house to pay for our nursing home care and our kids will end up with nothing anyway....

Do we wonder why the number one career choice for teenage girls is having a baby?

 

[kaiko]

I love stories like this (not the bad situation that you found yourself in!) but how you have turned it around- not much to say on the debate but well done OP it's good to hear that you have worked so hard to turn your fortunes around

Thanks, there were dark days (still are sometimes) but you can get eaten away with resentment when you look at others and how they live.......believe me I can rant about it too (my OH finds it hilarious how angry I can get).

But my priority is myself and my family so that's where I focus my energy. Cheaters/liars etc will get their pay back some day, I have faith in karma. (plus i'm an evil cow who laughs at the misfortune of those that deserve it) See nobody is a saint

 

[MagicMelon]

I get fed up because me and husband are both professional people, work full time, pay a mortgage on an average 3 bed house, have 2 average cars because we need them to get to work and 1 horse on DIY livery, can't afford a trailer etc... I am going on maternity leave soon (can only afford 6 months off), he gets 2 weeks unpaid paternity leave and we have had to scrimp and scrape to make sure we can pay the bills and then once baby is born will we get anything from the state? Not on your nelly!!!! Thank the lord for grandparents who are willing to provide childcare while I go back to work part time (can't afford not to) because otherwise horse would be sold to to pay for that!

There is something SERIOUSLY wrong here.

EXACTLY! I am totally in the same boat! Im wondering how I can afford maternity leave and really dont see how I'm going to be able to afford to go back to work afterwards (which I very much want to) with our local day cares charging over £800 per month and I cant lumber any childcare with my relatives really. Its ridiculous. I've never ever claimed anything from the state yet I'm struggling to see how I can afford a child purely on my OH's pay. Seems very unfair!

I sell houses as my job - the amount of people who I see living in council houses and dont work yet still have nice cars, nice furniture, nice clothes, nice big TV's with sky etc. its a joke. I used to work as a recruitment consultant and had to find people to fill jobs like bin men, cooks, cleaners etc. You wouldnt believe how many people on our list would say "no, I cant work that many hours as that'll effect my benefits". They were better off not working. The government doesnt even demand they accept jobs, I dont know if things have changed now but at the time (about 4 years ago) - those claiming job seekers allowance just had to fire their CV's out to people, they didnt have to accept anything so they didnt!

 

[luckyoldme]

Wow. This one kicked off a bit!
I havent really said much about my circumstances and yes to me i do have the perfect life. Probably because im easily pleased.
I couldn t afford my house after my divorce so it was sold. I live in a rented cottage with my nice bloke and cat. We won t get back on the property ladder now its to late... so we make the most of what we have.
Im sorry if my views offend folk but I stand by them.
I personally wouldn t have made a post about the shocking amount of money i was receiving from the government if i couldn t handle the stick.
I wouldn t say i was bitter either but i wont write an essay about how not bitter i am.
I will retire from this thread now .... but it s nice to see that one or two other folk agree with me ... .

 

[rendre_la_justice]

I try to ignore it but it can be hard. My husband and I are two people who were working two normal jobs of modest pay. When I had my second son I couldn't afford child care so had to leave work, no choice just wasn't doable. We put horses in a rented field instead of livery and downgraded where possible.
Then TWO women from my previous livery yard did irritate me. There was one who doesn't work and never has who has taken over the lease of the whole yard and has ten horses and spends all day riding and 'training' her methods are questionable and she and her non working helpers are so full of their own self importance but happily brag about their benefits. She uses the my child has adhd card at least once a day, her reason for not working. Her child is not much different from my hyperactive eldest.
Then there's the other lady who did work, but was signed off with depression. I always liked her and she genuinely had a lovely but high maintenance child with special needs. I liked her that is until she was signed off and developed a penchant for quarter horses, began breeding and collecting proudly claiming to own 8! I then found out my horse i'd had all his life was very ill and she knows how much I adore him and he needed a biopsy. I asked on facebook if anyone could transport him i'd pay fuel. She offered and thinking she was a friend I accepted. However she obviously decided my husband on his modest wage and my desperation at being so distraught at my horses condition was an opportunity to be capitalised on. It was a thirty mile trip. While I took my horse into the treatment centre she went back to the car. When I got back in the car I noticed my purse outside my bag not in it. She then charged me £60 for taking him (exactly what I had in my purse) and it was more than a professional had quoted. I deleted her and my sympathy for her finished there. She is on a good cop. She doesn't seem depressed driving up and down the country going to horse shows.

 

[hackedoff]

How to make me feel more depressed, I work v hard to keep house, family and horse. OH lost his contract 3 years ago and we were shocked to discover that although he had been in full time employment for 20 years after graduating, the two plus years he had done self employed meant that he qualfied for no benefits and no assistance with finding a job or re-training. It would have been a different story if he had never worked, or had signed on after being made redundant by his employers for the last 16 years instead of having the nouse to go self employed. He started signing on ealry this year so he was no longer a 'hidden' unemployed person massaging the govt statistics. He received absolutly no benefits at all . Story has a happy ending as a really lovely lady at the DSS realised that he had signed on long enough to qualify for job re-training courses and the same week he got a call from a firm offering him temp work over Xmas.

We are fortunte in that I have a good job but this year has used up the last of our resources. I do agree that it is galling to see people on benefits with horses, but at the same time its easy for people to make false assumptions without knowing all the facts. EG I have been told well its okay for you with all the benefits your OH is on, then when you point out that's not the case you are treated like a liar...

 

[hackedoff]

Forgot to say re op's comments. I have a distant relative by marriage who is long term unemployed. She has a reasonable lifestyle and no doubt from the outside looks like she is doing well on the state with a car etc. I was shocked to learn recently that this is all underpinned by loans her father who is in his early 70's took out many years ago from loan sharks. He is now having to work until he drops to pay the interest...

 

[Ideal]

I am shocked by some of the things I have read on this interesting thread. People who really desperately need help don't seem to get any ? Why?. Plenty of people living a nice lifestyle with horses who live off the state (I am not saying that some people who live off the state are not deserving) I have finally got a horse of my own after working bloody hard and waiting 30 odd years .
Rendre_la_justice I hope your horse is ok ? If I had a horsebox/trailer or could help in any way with a friend/horse in need I would always help them in any way I could x

 

[brighteyes]

In life, there are givers and there are takers. It does seem that the takers are rewarded heavily through the efforts of the givers.

 

[shelbie]

I started this thread and am really surprised at number of replies. Iwould like to say that I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST genuine disabled or sick people getting state benefits, Its the cant work wont work clique, those who think everyone else should pay for their lifestyle.If it were up to me they would be given coupons for food and clothes, bills etc.but only the bare minimum, then if they were offered a job and wouldnt take it these would be stopped . Definately no cash.In answer to one persons reply, yes it is better to spend benefits on keeping ponies than on drugs or drink , but better still if they worked for this money and what is the government doing giving them enough money for luxuries in the first place.

 

[Holly Hocks]

If you have problems with someone who you think is claiming benefit, why don't you ring the DWP fraud hotline on 0800 854 440. I'm pretty sure that's a national number. You have nothing to lose and can do it anonymously.
Unfortunately the benefit system has a lot of loopholes. They are slowly being closed, but those who have been brought up in a benefits culture household know the loopholes.
I take great pride in my job and in saving taxpayers money when we get a successful prosecution.

 

[tazzle]

personally I would like to see those on unemployment benefit having to do a set number of weeks "service to the community" in order to increase their skiils base and experience and make them more attractive to potential emplyers.

I know of a few people who already do even though they have to be careful because it might be deemed that they are making themselves "not available for work" by doing so according to some defintions .

It should be compulsory imo especially for anyone long term unemployed or who turn down offered jobs ( although I did think benefits were reduced or stopped if someone turned down three jobs.)

It would have to be carefully done so that this voluntary work was not something that could / should be done by employed persons as we dont want anyone put out of a job because of it. It would take a bit of administration and I could imagie some people who would be deliberatly "useless" at anything to get out of doing it...



It is definately disheartening to hear about hardworking people who just dont get any help at all or have to really fight for it and find that hard to do because of not knowling the system.

My OH and I have worked almost 40 years each contributing to the system and only really had child benefit in all that time ... I hope and pray I never need to try and get summat out

 

[Godknows]

So from what many say on here, anyone on a medium to low income shouldn't have horses?

Single parents shouldn't have horses?
Their kids shouldn't have a pony?

Anyone in council or affordable housing shouldn't have a horse?

There won't be many horses in the uk left will there

How very judgemental.

Would have to say from your statements above. If they are a low income how would they afford vet bills when the horse is ill?? It's not a case of being judgemental just a case of common sense. You cannot look after a horse properly with no money. It is a living thing same as a dog is not just for christmas.

 

[Godknows]

When my business was busier in the pre-computerised age I employed 2 ladies, one 16 hours+ - she claimed WTF. The other worked 10 hours and her family were in recipient of benefits as her husband was disabled (although he worked) For the former it was a great job that she could fit in around her daughter and meant she could do the school run - she also had family nearby so if child was ill they looked after rather than her take time off. She loved the job as it meant she now had evenings and weekends with her family - had previously worked at a sports centre in the evenings and weekends. She was a fantastic hard working and very loyal employee whom I sadly lost to cancer. The latter came to work as an escape from the hum drum of looking after her OH. Always reliable and very hard working I couldn't have wished for better employees, but, in order to survive on the meagre pay (it was over 1.5 x min wage but not enough hours), they had to claim benefits. Another friend of mine brings up 2 childrent, works 2 jobs and still jas to claim WTF in order to keep up the mortgage on the former family home so the kids can continue at their schools where they are well settled and stable (otherwise she'd have to move to a cheaper home in a cheaper area). She is very hard working and extremely highly thought of in her workplaces. I'd suggest revise your opinion of WTF workers before you alienate the hardest workers at interview!

I suppose it's not fair for the OP that we will appear to be in the 'neither working but have 2 ponies for daughter, live in a posh (albeit the smallest) house in the poshest road, have a 4x4 (admitedly it is shiny as new but actually is a 'V' reg) and a similarly shiny looking Merc (7 years old and was very cheap from ebay but you didn't hear that)'. Most folk assume I don't work as I am always available to run errands, babysit, go shopping for old ladies/help out when needed (in reality I work for myself and fit in around the various demands folk make on my time), and OH has just been made redundant!
In truth, we have both worked very hard since leaving school, rarely having holidays (1 in past 6 years - which actually cost nothing as we got bumped off the flight and got far more paid back than it cost us), almost never going out - the one evening OH went out in the past 6 months was the night of daughter's PC prize giving and even then he was on call because he swapped weeks as somone else at work wanted to swap! As a result yes we live in a nice place almost entirely paid for - we over paid for years - and yes our daughter has 2 ponies, but we did it ourselves, no hand outs no WTC no inheritances. (but we are not ashamed of our secondhand furniture - I cannot appreciate why a friend is now on her 3rd over £1K each sofas yet we still have a (secondhand) suite we got 'as new' for £250 14 years ago!)

What niggles me is the 'want it handed on a plate' generation who assume all this has come easily to us and it's not fair they don't get it. At times I've held down 3-4 jobs a week and I have scrimped and saved in order to get better houses. I've also been prepared to turn my hand at anything rather than pay out someone to do it. (my tiling is legendary!) I was staggered in the bike shop today when a kid of about 14 came in to have the brakes and chain adjusted and handed over £5. In my day we did it ourselves, it really is not difficult! It's saving those £5 a time that make the difference.
I know several of the 'want it all' generation who wouldn't dream of taking a job cleaning the loos in a pub (because it starts at 6am which is far too early and is dirty work) before heading off to their day job.

I think you must be my long lost twin

 

[Welshie Squisher]

Godknows:
I have 2 horses and 2 dogs and 5k + and increasing sat in a vet fees account, I'm also a single mum, and I am currently on what I consider a low income.

As I said initially, how very judgemental.
Judgemental to presume such groups aren't able to provide vetinary care!

Of course pets aren't just for xmas, I've had horses and dogs for years, all happy, all fed, all better equipped than most, all see the vet when needed.

I think you will find hairy naitives can be very cheap to keep, affordable on llower incomes and I'm sure you have heard of insurance for horses

 

[Godknows]

the problem with anecdotal & half known/understood reports of families on benefits "living the life of riley" is that these soemtimes have the status of urban [ or shoud that be rural] myths
i was made redundant form a job with less than 2 yrs service whilst heavily pregant, i had no choice but to go on benefits to support myself & my child - the amount of money paid covered some heating costs [ given i had a new born baby in the house, water rates, basic food costs & the interest on my mortgage - there was NO way i could have afforded any of the luixury items lsted in some of the posts here, so i do wonder if there is an element of daily Mail thinking here
WFTC alowed me to go back to work as soon as my daughter was weaned because quite simply, they paid a contributionn toward the full-time childcare i needed [ not everone has helpful family members to provide this] - my take home pay was aprox £1,200 - my nursery fees would have been just over £500 -without that help i would have had to stay on benefiits until my child went to full-time school

Did the father not pay anything?

 

[Godknows]

My mom is now on benefits after divorcing from her husband she used to have a horse of her own but sold it keeping mine as struggles with money but still realises that what I do makes me happy and keeps me out of trouble. (She has been looking for a job for over a year now.)
You shouldn't judge people from what you have heard, until you have heard there story of it.

Not sure how old you are MM but if your mum is keeping your horse then why should the tax payer pay for your horse. Maybe get a part=time job yourself on a week=end to pay for your own horse. Or sell it to help your mum then buy one when you are working.

 

[Godknows]

When the system is as flawed as it is, people have the right to scream about it. When OH was made redundant, my horses were on the market to sell, two went almost instantly, the house was put on the market and we lived on loans, credit cards and my income to support us. Eventually they said to him 'here is £68 a week to survive'. For a man in his late 50's who had worked full-time since he was 15 and never claimed a penny in his life, it was a *****ing insult, yet a friend down the road on 16 hours a week, has had two holidays abroad each year, her 3 kids get all the mod-cons going, AND her mortgage paid (told us no chance) you think people won't get upset?

DSB Ravenwood has stated she was NOT on benefits only able to claim WFTC after her OH left. She works full-time and has 2 part-time jobs to maintain her family. So will you all stop jumping on her and miss interpreting what she has said. The written word on a forum can be so misleading.

Ravenwood I understand what you were saying. Don't let it get to you.

 

[Welshie Squisher]

Godknows, people on benefits get the same regardless of owning a horse or not. If spent on food will you also complain?
I hope u never fall on hard times.
Does it occur to you people are temporarily unemployed, and if they can struggle and cope in the interim then why not?
Who are you to dictate what a family spends benefit money on?
Perhaps the mother has worked and paid her dues and now is getting the help she needs through a tricky time.

All is not as it appears, I appear to be a single mum in a flat on a low income with horses, no doubt frowned upon by people like you.
How the hell did I afford 3k for my daughters pony? How did I afford the vet fund? Or the 2k I spent today on puppies?
I'll tell u how, I worked fooking hard for 15+ years in london and can now afford to do an easy part time job to just tick over.
Yes ur not to know and that is exactly my point, you and others shouldn't judge unless you know all the facts!

 

[Godknows]

Godknows:
I have 2 horses and 2 dogs and 5k + and increasing sat in a vet fees account, I'm also a single mum, and I am currently on what I consider a low income.

As I said initially, how very judgemental.
Judgemental to presume such groups aren't able to provide vetinary care!

Of course pets aren't just for xmas, I've had horses and dogs for years, all happy, all fed, all better equipped than most, all see the vet when needed.

I think you will find hairy naitives can be very cheap to keep, affordable on llower incomes and I'm sure you have heard of insurance for horses

Welshie from your earlier post it sounded (as I've stated further on the written word can be so misunderstood) like you mean't people receiving unemployment benefits not WFCT who couldn't afford things. Good for you for saving £5k + and being a single parent quite something on a low income.

 

[Welshie Squisher]

Well godknows u will have seen my most recent post in response to what you said to moodymare123 which explains why I can afford horses.

But what narks me is you would never know I've got money, and what I am saying is perhaps others do as well, that's its not so clear cut.
I know I coulldn't afford my horses on benefits, their livery bill is paid from savings and property income.
I do understand why people make presumptions, for 2 years I never worked at all, then I'd go buy another horse and I know people used to think how the hell does she do it lol.

Well I do live sensibly, my horses cost more than twice my household, so its obviously cheep, and this is a sacrifice I make to ensure my horses future because the pot will one day run dry if I burn the candle at both ends.

That is my choice and no concern of anyone else, I don't have to live in a posh house just because I can afford to, I can give my horses a good life and as I'm never in, well a flat is good enough

 

[Godknows]

EXACTLY! I am totally in the same boat! Im wondering how I can afford maternity leave and really dont see how I'm going to be able to afford to go back to work afterwards (which I very much want to) with our local day cares charging over £800 per month and I cant lumber any childcare with my relatives really. Its ridiculous. I've never ever claimed anything from the state yet I'm struggling to see how I can afford a child purely on my OH's pay. Seems very unfair!

I sell houses as my job - the amount of people who I see living in council houses and dont work yet still have nice cars, nice furniture, nice clothes, nice big TV's with sky etc. its a joke. I used to work as a recruitment consultant and had to find people to fill jobs like bin men, cooks, cleaners etc. You wouldnt believe how many people on our list would say "no, I cant work that many hours as that'll effect my benefits". They were better off not working. The government doesnt even demand they accept jobs, I dont know if things have changed now but at the time (about 4 years ago) - those claiming job seekers allowance just had to fire their CV's out to people, they didnt have to accept anything so they didnt!

Personally I think people should have to do work in the community to get their job seekers allowance. That way they get experience especially those who have never worked because they don't want to not those who really want to but for one reason or another struggling to get a job of any sort, these I would help as much as I could but the one's we refer to as "scroungers" and really make no effort to work should be made to work for it. Although through recent things happening it seems the Government department supposed to be sorting this out are targeting those who really need the help not the "scroungers". They know who they are and I know quite a few and if I knew how to get it noticed I would and probably will very soon.

 

[Godknows]

Godknows, people on benefits get the same regardless of owning a horse or not. If spent on food will you also complain?
I hope u never fall on hard times.
Does it occur to you people are temporarily unemployed, and if they can struggle and cope in the interim then why not?
Who are you to dictate what a family spends benefit money on?
Perhaps the mother has worked and paid her dues and now is getting the help she needs through a tricky time.

All is not as it appears, I appear to be a single mum in a flat on a low income with horses, no doubt frowned upon by people like you.
How the hell did I afford 3k for my daughters pony? How did I afford the vet fund? Or the 2k I spent today on puppies?
I'll tell u how, I worked fooking hard for 15+ years in london and can now afford to do an easy part time job to just tick over.
Yes ur not to know and that is exactly my point, you and others shouldn't judge unless you know all the facts!

Who's judging now!!!!!?

 

[henryhorn]

Sadly there are some people who have no problems fiddling the benefits system whilst those genuinely in need struggle to get money.
Someone I know went bankrupt owing several hundred thousand, her and her partner had 5 horses, a trailer, 3 cars and a livery business. Oh and they worked in other jobs as well.
The horses were all transferred into their parents' names as was the business, the trailer hidden away as were several of the horses, and their earned income never declared.
They never paid any council tax/tv licence or car insurance, but ran up bills again despite being both bankrupts.
I pay tax every year , this year it's a huge amount because it's been a good year, and I damn well resent my cash going to parasites like that pair.
They will however never live their lives any differently, because in their view, the system is so flawed they "deserve" what they manage to get, and are cleverer than idiots like me who pay their dues.
I do think this government will make getting benefits more difficult, and hopefully less difficult for those genuinely in need. I'd jail the parasites I'm afraid, or confiscate their belongings as half the reason the economy is in such a mess is because of them...