tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post80249822651016075..comments2024-03-27T17:57:42.627+00:00Comments on The Masked AMHP: Trying to work but living below subsistence levelThe Masked AMHPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01348865658320780867noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-89882112940867037502013-09-21T17:54:27.116+01:002013-09-21T17:54:27.116+01:00She was not the benefit claimant. But her irregula...She was not the benefit claimant. But her irregular income messed up her husband's benefits as the claimant.The Masked AMHPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01348865658320780867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-41847378995030569272013-09-19T12:36:03.571+01:002013-09-19T12:36:03.571+01:00Surely if she 'gave up' work, she could no...Surely if she 'gave up' work, she could not claim benefits anyway???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-7058070143570432092013-09-07T16:10:33.350+01:002013-09-07T16:10:33.350+01:00Could it be part of the problem be how their predi...Could it be part of the problem be how their predicament is portrayed? For example rather than saying they're penalised for have spare rooms it could be that they've been lucky enough to have susidised housing for 30 years? I found that when I was suffering depression that my outlook on problems determined my mood. As soon as I realised this I felt like I could had control of my life Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-78772207456297450962013-08-25T03:01:15.227+01:002013-08-25T03:01:15.227+01:00It's well known depression is an illness influ...It's well known depression is an illness influenced and treated by a number of factors; in many cases antidepressants, on their own, don't work.Carrienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-11095980369855730662013-08-25T02:59:04.125+01:002013-08-25T02:59:04.125+01:00I find Monica's comments terrifying and entire...I find Monica's comments terrifying and entirely unsympathetic. <br /><br />Also, I find the comment about 'feeding them once in a while' appalling - they're human beings for f**k's sake, have some respect.<br /><br />As someone who has suffered from depression trust me when I say I wish I could just 'force' myself out of it. Somehow I can't imagine being homeless Carrienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-15146506915235752832013-08-22T12:28:24.736+01:002013-08-22T12:28:24.736+01:00It could well be that the antidepressants wont wor...It could well be that the antidepressants wont work,or it could be that he needs to try a different type. No one can possibly give a definitive answer to that. Add to that his current financial situation which would have a negative impact on anyone,its unlikely to be soon.<br />basically,how long is a piece of string? That's how well you can predict "recovery".Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16119970785576122501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-51286991755989563682013-08-21T21:31:23.072+01:002013-08-21T21:31:23.072+01:00But wait a minute, the man is taking antidepressan...But wait a minute, the man is taking antidepressants and he's still very depressed? Could it be that, just as I obviously tend to believe, medication doesn't really help very much and could even be harmful? Or do you think that he'll get better and then he will be able to work? If so, how long will it take?Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08103879727877816655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-6500194268371414102013-08-21T20:34:46.099+01:002013-08-21T20:34:46.099+01:00Whilst no they don't have to learn a new langu...Whilst no they don't have to learn a new language or adapt to local customs,that doesn't mean they should live on the streets with no income at all. The uk system doesn't pay benefits to people with no fixed address,employers don't employ people with no fixed address and the homeless hostels are full.<br />if the pair were,god forbid,to end up homeless,it wouldn't *be* a shortAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16119970785576122501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-57693832496191916352013-08-21T20:07:03.820+01:002013-08-21T20:07:03.820+01:00As always, you make very thought provoking comment...As always, you make very thought provoking comments, Monica. But you are not living in England, and cannot comment directly on English Social Policy and its effects on people with limited intellectual resources. These people have done their very best. When their very best was not enough, you seem to be suggesting that starving and living on the streets for a bit would concentrate their minds The Masked AMHPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01348865658320780867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-72233655692179954152013-08-21T18:37:02.602+01:002013-08-21T18:37:02.602+01:00Since you mentioned it, I actually think that in t...Since you mentioned it, I actually think that in the long run, it would be better if their benefits were cut right away, perhaps not 100% or not without feeding them once in a while. If benefits became all but unavailable, they would no longer see benefits as their main income. They would focus on getting their own income. Believe me, I was not happy either when I was starving, and sometimes I Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08103879727877816655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-17114407364981128932013-08-21T18:12:58.913+01:002013-08-21T18:12:58.913+01:00Have you ever suffered from mental ill health Moni...Have you ever suffered from mental ill health Monica? Do you not think the husband wishes he could go back to work?didn't have to worry about the debt?didn't have to worry about losing is house?<br />your comment about homelessness actually beggars belief!you do realise that they wouldn't qualify for any help with being rehoused?theyd be on the streets with nothing? Not a situation toAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16119970785576122501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-11594655142796946372013-08-21T17:31:12.062+01:002013-08-21T17:31:12.062+01:00I'm speaking from experience. I come from a fa...I'm speaking from experience. I come from a family of Eastern European immigrants and my parents kicked me out of their home when I was 20. I remember looking forward to the day's only meal consisting of spaghetti or boiled potatoes with butter. Earning a living seemed an impossible dream, yet it had to be done. I did not even qualify for social assistance in my new country (Canada) Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08103879727877816655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-50735099405897346332013-08-21T17:01:37.612+01:002013-08-21T17:01:37.612+01:00How long do you suggest she keeps working and losi...How long do you suggest she keeps working and losing money then? Long enough to put her anxious, depressed husband in hospital or make him suicidal with worry? 'Eventually' may be too long for this couple - they have to eat in the meantime.<br />Your 'mentality of a loser' comment says it all. Not everyone has the mental strength to be an entrepreneur or to tough it out as their Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-51068419670041048102013-08-21T16:20:13.685+01:002013-08-21T16:20:13.685+01:00I'm sorry, but this is the mentality of a lose...I'm sorry, but this is the mentality of a loser. I'm not asking why she's not actually creating her own business, although if the business is just being a cleaning lady and perhaps actually getting to the point where she herself can hire other cleaners to work for her clients, that may be possible. I am not saying either that she should count on an event as unlikely as winning the Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08103879727877816655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-10024808897901391062013-08-21T13:33:34.477+01:002013-08-21T13:33:34.477+01:00@ Monica,she could also,by that logic,start playin...@ Monica,she could also,by that logic,start playing the lottery on the off chance they win the jackpot?!<br />There is only so much money one can lose before it becomes unsustainable. The people owed money will keep banging on the door,they risk losing their home due to rent arrears as housing wont wait forever,which also means no other social housing provider would touch them,it isn't a big Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16119970785576122501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-23567524208391338812013-08-20T22:14:48.852+01:002013-08-20T22:14:48.852+01:00I think the lady should keep working even if the c...I think the lady should keep working even if the couple is actually losing money. That way, there is still a chance of finding an opportunity, such as full-time hours when some other cleaner quits or being invited by some rich family who liked her work very much to just work directly for them or for some friends of theirs. One never knows.Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08103879727877816655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-74301334096126188222013-08-20T21:35:30.907+01:002013-08-20T21:35:30.907+01:00Have been faced with an almost identical dilemna t...Have been faced with an almost identical dilemna today and had to advise a couple to give up work to rely on benefits to aid her mental health. The current system sucks.sw2behttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10714306864444369961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-380213133018137281.post-32207329992002071402013-08-20T19:16:21.168+01:002013-08-20T19:16:21.168+01:00But our politicians say such a chatoic welfare sys...But our politicians say such a chatoic welfare system is to 'get people into work'! And zero hour contracts = flexible labour market! Feeling really angry at the injustice of it all!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com