Obese and addicts 'trapped on IB'

[super jumbe]

More than 80,000 people are claiming incapacity benefit for obesity and addiction to alcohol and drugs, according to the latest Government figures.
Some 12,880 alcoholics and 9,200 drug abusers have been dependent on the benefit for more than 10 years.
Employment Minister Chris Grayling said the benefits system had trapped people in a "cycle of addiction and welfare dependency".
The figures, released by the Department for Work and Pensions, are a snapshot of incapacity benefit (IB) claimants in August 2010.
Since February this year, no new IB claims have been accepted.
Existing claimants are now being reassessed to see whether they are fit to work straight away or need help first through the Employment and Support Allowance.
The figures show that 81,670 IB claimants are not working because they are obese (1,830) or suffering from drug (37,480) or alcohol problems (42,360).
Some 660 obese people have been claiming IB for more than a decade.
In total, there are 2.1 million IB claimants and the total yearly IB bill is ?7 billion.
Mr Grayling said: "It's not fair on anyone for this situation to continue. Far from being the safety net it should be, the benefits system has trapped thousands of people in a cycle of addiction and welfare dependency with no prospect of getting back to work."

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This is my opinion the British Citizens who have become trapped in a cycle of being better off on benefits and would be working for less?
They are not trapped; it?s the Governments of this world that has started this so-called trend, as anyone in their right mind wouldn't go to work for less than what they get on benefits. Make your own mind up!

[oneman]

you can get signed off for being an alcholic ?

[SouthernComfort]

The sick, the needy or the foreign did not cause our problems, do not let the Government convince you otherwise.

[Lainie]

the problem with incapacity benefit is once you were assessed by a dwp doc etc and found unfit for work you didnt need to hand in any more med certs. that meant you were incapable of ANY type of work. on IB if your partner worked you still got your benefit now ?105 a week no matter what your partner earned.

ESA however is completely different. you get assessed for any type of work ie if they cant walk far they can do a telephone job etc. believe me (you know why i know) there are people suicidal after being told they cannot get IB any more. the tribunals service have over a 9 month waiting list for people who appealed then lost and now want a tribunal. during that time however they either claim ESA or JSA at the basic rate of ?67 i think it is now - just went up on 6th april.

however i can honestly say ive only ever had 1 case where the claimant was getting fitted for a gastric band and admitted they are overweight. the vast majority (around 80%) of new ESA claimants claim with depression/anxiety or stress. its been proven that if you suffer from these illnesses its better to do some sort of work to boost your morale and self wellbeing. ive personally suffered from it for over 20 yrs and at times ive been really bad but i still work and want to work. tbh id fear for my mental health if i was at home all day. i didnt work for 10 months 3 yrs ago and it was slowly killing me.

i dont think anyone who gets out of prison claim JSA its always ESA - strange that they are not fit to work but are fit to break the law.


please dont forget the single mums as well. they now cant get income support if their child is 7 or over and its absolutely astonishing how many claimants that all of a sudded become ill (to claim ESA) when their child reaches 7 so they dont need to work.

its about time these spongers were weeded out and slowly but surely they are.

please dont forget these people getting ?105 a week are also living rent and council tax free so add all that up.

please dont think im all for the government as believe me im not. at times ive been in tears listening to some genuine peoples stories but a life on benefits has to end.

[barrowmanandrew]

you can get signed off for being an alcholic ?

m8,
if you claim your are a jakey, you can get on the incapacity benefit and get extra money for your addiction. (or so i have been told by some of my jakey freinds)...
also, you get priority with regard to council housing.

alcoholism is regarded as a mental illness and i know personally first hand, some people that have got desirable houses over families that need them more, due to there addiction....

but that's the nanny state for ya...

[Snowy79]

I've also got first hand experience with the disability system and unfortunately it does make life better for some not to work. I've 100% support for those born with special needs or injured through accident or work but sadly there are more than their fair share who are just natural lay abouts.

I used to assist in fitting utility meters where customers were refusing to pay their bills and lost count of the amount of times someone threatened to beat seven shades out of me, jumping up and down and screaming. Once you'd calmed them down and sorted out their payment plan nine times out of ten they were on Disability Benefits as they were too ill to work. 5 minutes before they were offering me a square go and I'm just under 15st of muscle. Almost every one was in as good shape as Joe Bloggs. I'd be listening to their sob stories whilst checking out the new car in the drive and Plasma TV, designer kitchen and a fridge plastered with magnets from their World Trips.

It makes my shit itch knowing that 3 months of my wages go to paying for these oxygen thieves. And don't get me started on Fat Bstards. Set a benefits office at the top of Ben Nevis for the fnuckers.