do you tell people you're on social welfare ?

Robsweezie

For those who are, do you openly discuss your situation with those close to you, or people you meet that ask about you? Would you go to some lengths to conceal or just be honest?

I was on jobseekers for a time and did unpaid voluntary work, I had told some of the colleagues I worked alongside in the voluntary thing that I was unemployed, never told anyone about the jobseekers and was never asked, but I would often come back with a bit of shopping and some pricey stuff that unemployed folk not on welfare couldn't afford, so you could put two and two together and say, he hasn't a job, where is he getting the money from for all that stuff? I was still living with my parent at the time and handing up a fraction of my dole toward the household, I never asked them for money, so one could draw the conclusion fairly easily I was on welfare. Although if asked I would've probably said I was using my savings sooner than bluntly telling them I was claiming. A lot of them had proper paying jobs outside the voluntary work and I didn't so I wouldve felt a tad inferior. Do you care at all if people know?

aaakev

If your unemployed your claiming welfare, i doubt anyone needed to ask, or cared

lavdad

Robsweezie wrote: »

For those who are, do you openly discuss your situation with those close to you, or people you meet that ask about you? Would you go to some lengths to conceal or just be honest?

I was on jobseekers for a time and did unpaid voluntary work, I had told some of the colleagues I worked alongside in the voluntary thing that I was unemployed, never told anyone about the jobseekers and was never asked, but I would often come back with a bit of shopping and some pricey lunches that unemployed folk not on welfare couldn't afford, so you could put two and two together and say, he hasn't a job, where is he getting the money from for all that stuff? I was still living with my parent at the time and handing up a fraction of my dole toward the household, I never asked them for money, so one could draw the conclusion fairly easily I was on welfare. Although if asked I would've probably said I was using my savings sooner than bluntly telling them I was claiming. A lot of them had proper paying jobs outside the voluntary work and I didn't so I wouldve felt a tad inferior. Do you care at all if people know?

I just can't fathom why the government dishes out cash payments to people who are dependents and don't need the money for rent or food. Why do those of us who have worked hard our entire lives have to shell out what amounts to most of the little disposable income we would otherwise earn on taxes to fund the unnecessary spending of single mothers, junkies and other such lazy freeloaders? It makes me want to go into a padded room with a baseball bat and mannequin, with the aforementioned types of people fixed in the mind's eye.

aaakev

lavdad wrote: »

I just can't fathom why the government dishes out cash payments to people who are dependents and don't need the money for rent or food. Why do those of us who have worked hard our entire lives have to shell out what amounts to most of the little disposable income we would otherwise earn on taxes to fund the unnecessary spending of single mothers, junkies and other such lazy freeloaders? It makes me want to go into a padded room with a baseball bat and mannequin, with the aforementioned types of people fixed in the mind's eye.

All those people are members of our society and are entitled to support if its needed. Get over it.

Please explain the "unnecessary spending of single mothers"

Adamantium

lavdad wrote: »

I just can't fathom why the government dishes out cash payments to people who are dependents and don't need the money for rent or food. Why do those of us who have worked hard our entire lives have to shell out what amounts to most of the little disposable income we would otherwise earn on taxes to fund the unnecessary spending of single mothers, junkies and other such lazy freeloaders? It makes me want to go into a padded room with a baseball bat and mannequin, with the aforementioned types of people fixed in the mind's eye.

Maybe the OP has worked and paid taxes as we all do (yes anything we buy is taxed too). Should he not be entitled as much as anyone else?

I love these blanket assumptions from AH, never takes long for one to drop in a thread.

lavdad

aaakev wrote: »

All those people are members of our society and are entitled to support if its needed. Get over it

Word of the current century right there.

No one is owed luxury items from the taxpayer, despite the ridiculous nonsensical scheme currently in place we call social welfare in this country.

Turtwig

I think it's fair to say that for everything in life we only discuss things with those who we think will be empathetic and constructive in their reactions. Nobody would tell some ass hat who'd only make condescending judgments on them.

Macavity.

I'm not on it, but I wouldn't consider it other people's business if I was. As a social-skill simpleton I may be wrong, but I would have thought it was an odd question to ask or be asked in common conversation, no?

lavdad

aaakev wrote: »

Please explain the "unnecessary spending of single mothers"

Those of them who create a lifestyle out of it, get plenty of money from the state to pay for the babies needs and get payments from the baby's father too (if she's a clue who he is) you'll often catch them going to expensive hairdressers, flashing around the latest iphone or other gadgets. That's the kind of unnecessary spending I mean.

Robsweezie

lavdad wrote:

I just can't fathom why the government dishes out cash payments to people who are dependents and don't need the money for rent or food. Why do those of us who have worked hard our entire lives have to shell out what amounts to most of the little disposable income we would otherwise earn on taxes to fund the unnecessary spending of single mothers, junkies and other such lazy freeloaders? It makes me want to go into a padded room with a baseball bat and mannequin, with the aforementioned types of people fixed in the mind's eye.

Because they're entitled to live as well.

foggy_lad

lavdad wrote: »

Word of the current century right there.

No one is owed luxury items from the taxpayer, despite the ridiculous nonsensical scheme currently in place we call social welfare in this country.

So a few Christmas presents for the children of a deserted wife are a luxury after she has scrimped and saved all year to try and make life as normal as possible for the children?

The attitude of some people makes me think they should have to struggle the same as all those that they whinge and piss and moan about!

kneemos

I've said it before in "dole threads"and I may even say it again that quite a large proportion of payments people receive,such as pensions,dole etc go straight back to the Government in the form of VAT,not to mention the employment it supports.
The net cost is way lower than what people receive in their hands.

Spunge

Robsweezie wrote: »

For those who are, do you openly discuss your situation with those close to you, or people you meet that ask about you? Would you go to some lengths to conceal or just be honest?

I was on jobseekers for a time and did unpaid voluntary work, I had told some of the colleagues I worked alongside in the voluntary thing that I was unemployed, never told anyone about the jobseekers and was never asked, but I would often come back with a bit of shopping and some pricey stuff that unemployed folk not on welfare couldn't afford, so you could put two and two together and say, he hasn't a job, where is he getting the money from for all that stuff? I was still living with my parent at the time and handing up a fraction of my dole toward the household, I never asked them for money, so one could draw the conclusion fairly easily I was on welfare. Although if asked I would've probably said I was using my savings sooner than bluntly telling them I was claiming. A lot of them had proper paying jobs outside the voluntary work and I didn't so I wouldve felt a tad inferior. Do you care at all if people know?

you're not allowed to do voluntary work if youre on jobseekers

mikemac1

If you feel inferior around others OP that's your own issue and nothing to do with welfare.

Everyone there with you knew the score and all of them has a friend or family member unemployed.

The only person judging you was yourself. If you told them you were unemployed then its a given you're on jobseekers. Do you realy think they were chattering if you brought in a Marks & Spencer's salad?

Samsgirl

Spunge wrote: »

you're not allowed to do voluntary work if youre on jobseekers

you can

http://www.volunteer.ie/i-want-to-volunteer/social-welfare

Wacker The Attacker

I have to fund my hectic social schedule somehow.

Bullocks

aaakev wrote: »

All those people are members of our society and are entitled to support if its needed. Get over it.

Please explain the "unnecessary spending of single mothers"

Micky Tuesdays ?

RobertKK

aaakev wrote: »

If your unemployed your claiming welfare, i doubt anyone needed to ask, or cared

I remember hearing on current affairs programs that if you were self employed and your business failed, you are entitled to nothing.

Banjo String

Me and the wife have been on the dole now for the past 7 years, we have 7 kids to provide for, someone needs to feed them after all, and we're entitled to it.

Anyway, life isn't easy, we only get to go on hols once or twice a year, and it's never anywhere extravagant, usually Majorca or Cyprus.

Our aging cars need upgraded (both 2010 models) and keeping them in diesel is a constant battle.

But neither of us are happy to be on the dole. We'd much prefer it to have won the lotto, or have inherited a substantial sum of money from a rich relative.

JustTheOne

aaakev wrote: »

All those people are members of our society and are entitled to support if its needed. Get over it.

Please explain the "unnecessary spending of single mothers"

There's that word entitled again.

Scourge on Irish society.

Spunge

Banjo String wrote: »

Me and the wife have been on the dole now for the past 7 years, we have 7 kids to provide for, someone needs to feed them after all, and we're entitled to it.

Anyway, life isn't easy, we only get to go on hols once or twice a year, and it's never anywhere extravagant, usually Majorca or Cyprus.

Our aging cars need upgraded (both 2010 models) and keeping them in diesel is a constant battle.

But neither of us are happy to be on the dole. We'd much prefer it to have won the lotto, or have inherited a substantial sum of money from a rich relative.

its tough out there, keep on truckin'

JustTheOne

What annoys me the most is people who need and receive help from the government whinging and moaning about the government.

Fair enough if you need help but then to whinge they don't care about you etc is ridiculous.

Most generous welfare system in Europe.

Annasopra

lavdad wrote: »

Those of them who create a lifestyle out of it, get plenty of money from the state to pay for the babies needs and get payments from the baby's father too (if she's a clue who he is) you'll often catch them going to expensive hairdressers, flashing around the latest iphone or other gadgets. That's the kind of unnecessary spending I mean.

You do know that fathers payments mean a reduced one parent family allowance don't you?

Annasopra

Spunge wrote: »

you're not allowed to do voluntary work if youre on jobseekers

You are. Once you are available for an interview or to start work. And once you are still seeking work.

kneemos

JustTheOne wrote: »

There's that word entitled again.

Scourge on Irish society.

Valid word of the English language.Been around for ages.

Hunter456

Nothing wrong with asking for help but if your on jobseekers allowance your CV should be on every job site there is. I'm currently unemployed for the last 3 years and havnt stopped looking but unfortunately I haven't got much success in finding work but I won't stop either my break will come. Some on this thread have gave snotty remarks as to regarding to thread people like my self are in genuine need of social welfare other wise our kids would starve. I fill into a very bad state of depression as I worried when work was gonna turn up I got my life back on track and promised I wouldn't go back to that dark place. Best of luck with your job searching.

air

Banjo String wrote: »

Me and the wife have been on the dole now for the past 7 years, we have 7 kids to provide for, someone needs to feed them after all, and we're entitled to it.

Anyway, life isn't easy, we only get to go on hols once or twice a year, and it's never anywhere extravagant, usually Majorca or Cyprus.

Our aging cars need upgraded (both 2010 models) and keeping them in diesel is a constant battle.

But neither of us are happy to be on the dole. We'd much prefer it to have won the lotto, or have inherited a substantial sum of money from a rich relative.

Please say this is a windup!

El_Duderino 09

foggy_lad wrote: »

So a few Christmas presents for the children of a deserted wife are a luxury after she has scrimped and saved all year to try and make life as normal as possible for the children?

The attitude of some people makes me think they should have to struggle the same as all those that they whinge and piss and moan about!

I'm not against people on the dole but I can't fathom the idea of scrimping and saving and splurging it on Xmas gifts. They think it's a long term plan and should be commended for thinking about 'the childer' but it's also committing themselves to long term dependance on the dole.

If they scrimped and saved and did something to get an education or qualification to get themselves off the dole and minimum wage, then fair play and best of luck to them. Saving for bits of plastic and computer games is fairly stupid behaviour.

It's normalising the dole lifestyle for 364 days a year and trying to compete with working parents on Xmas day. That's teaching the children a lesson whether you realise it or not.

dxhound2005

Half the country is on Social Welfare. It's hardly something remarkable.

http://www.finfacts.ie/irishfinancenews/article_1026476.shtml

monkeysnapper

air wrote: »

Please say this is a windup!

Of course its a wind up .....

You'd get at least 3 holidays a year , plus he's 8 kids now . only 2 off double figures :0)

JustTheOne

dxhound2005 wrote: »

Half the country is on Social Welfare. It's hardly something remarkable.

http://www.finfacts.ie/irishfinancenews/article_1026476.shtml

Amazing when you see people saying the government don't do enough and are only out for themselves.

Trying to run a country with half on welfare is not easy coupled with the state they inherited it, they have done a great job.

Streetwalker

Hunter456 wrote: »

Nothing wrong with asking for help but if your on jobseekers allowance your CV should be on every job site there is. I'm currently unemployed for the last 3 years and havnt stopped looking but unfortunately I haven't got much success in finding work but I won't stop either my break will come. Some on this thread have gave snotty remarks as to regarding to thread people like my self are in genuine need of social welfare other wise our kids would starve. I fill into a very bad state of depression as I worried when work was gonna turn up I got my life back on track and promised I wouldn't go back to that dark place. Best of luck with your job searching.

Don't let the posters on here who look down on you get you down. There will always be a cohort of Irish people who like to complain and moan about everyone and everything, if it's not single mothers it's the unemployed they will always find something. Keep the chin up and the CV's going out that's all you can do. Remember boards isn't representative of all of our society not nearly. Best of luck to you and yours I hope the right job comes up sooner or later.

UCDVet

JustTheOne wrote: »

Amazing when you see people saying the government don't do enough and are only out for themselves.

Trying to run a country with half on welfare is not easy coupled with the state they inherited it, they have done a great job.

I'm not sure how we should feel about such a statistic - but, it kind of makes me feel like a fool for going to work each day.

punisher5112

Of course sure how else would I afford a 151 car.

And stay down the pub all day.

Lux23

I never had a problem telling anyone about it, I'm nearly 33 so since I started work at 17, I have been in employment for 14 of those 16 years. I just got a public service job so hopefully I won't be out of work until retirement. I never wanted to be on the dole and I sure as hell wouldn't be made feel guilty because I was made redundant twice in five years!

Hunter456

as bad as the government are i cant complain, i don't have any luxury's i don't drink or smoke well i used to off them nearly 3 years, every penny i have every week goes to keep our family together and a roof over our heads. a garden to keep me busy and a local river to past the time away is all i have. i have to agree with some people here though these lads go out and break their backs to pay taxes and to keep this country afloat some bit as for these lazy good for nothing people that sit round and wouldn't dream of looking for a job their the ones y society is the way it is.

lightspeed

lavdad wrote: »

I just can't fathom why the government dishes out cash payments to people who are dependents and don't need the money for rent or food. Why do those of us who have worked hard our entire lives have to shell out what amounts to most of the little disposable income we would otherwise earn on taxes to fund the unnecessary spending of single mothers, junkies and other such lazy freeloaders? It makes me want to go into a padded room with a baseball bat and mannequin, with the aforementioned types of people fixed in the mind's eye.

If the above is to also include the OP I think its quite unfair. The OP stated that he was doing volunteer work and clearly is not just someone who is too lazy to work.

I was unemployed for few months back in 2009 and I still live with my parents now at 28. The reason being is that they could pay the mortgage on their own so most of my dole went to the mortgage.

I'd disagree that somones dole should be cut on the basis that they live with their parents. So what they still need money towards expenses even just to get to and from job interviews or courses.

The people who make no effort and only fill out an application so they can tick a box to keep getting their dole are the people who want the dole taken from and not just some of it but all of it.

kneemos

None of the anti dole brigade will refuse their pension I'll bet.

whatismyname

Yes. All the time. Everytime I introduce myself to someone, basically.

"Hi. My name is whatismyname, and I'm on social welfare. Nice to meet you."

foggy_lad

RobertKK wrote: »

I remember hearing on current affairs programs that if you were self employed and your business failed, you are entitled to nothing.

Rubbish! There are two payments, one is contribution based(Jobseekers BENEFIT) and the self employed are barred from claiming this payment, they can though claim for Jobseekers ALLOWANCE which is a lower payment and is means tested. All self employed persons are also entitled to claim for their spouse and children een if they themselves are refused any payment.

Anyone that signs on and is not entitled to jobseekers allowance should be able to get a minimum subsistence payment(about €60 weekly) as long as they satisfy the means test.

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

I'm not against people on the dole but I can't fathom the idea of scrimping and saving and splurging it on Xmas gifts. They think it's a long term plan and should be commended for thinking about 'the childer' but it's also committing themselves to long term dependance on the dole.

If they scrimped and saved and did something to get an education or qualification to get themselves off the dole and minimum wage, then fair play and best of luck to them. Saving for bits of plastic and computer games is fairly stupid behaviour.

It's normalising the dole lifestyle for 364 days a year and trying to compete with working parents on Xmas day. That's teaching the children a lesson whether you realise it or not.

I'd hate to be in your house at Christmas. Children need to be going on the same school trips and activities as their peers or they fall into a far worse trap of feeling they are poor and believe me this brings a whole plethora of worse issues for those children with regards to their development and later in life

the_syco

Robsweezie wrote: »

never told anyone about the jobseekers and was never asked, but I would often come back with a bit of shopping and some pricey stuff that unemployed folk not on welfare couldn't afford, so you could put two and two together and say, he hasn't a job, where is he getting the money from for all that stuff?

Generally speaking; unemployed + have lots of money = drug dealer.

You may slag off the unemployed to their face, but no-one slags off a drug dealer to their face :pac:

RobertKK

foggy_lad wrote: »

Rubbish! There are two payments, one is contribution based(Jobseekers BENEFIT) and the self employed are barred from claiming this payment, they can though claim for Jobseekers ALLOWANCE which is a lower payment and is means tested. All self employed persons are also entitled to claim for their spouse and children een if they themselves are refused any payment.

Anyone that signs on and is not entitled to jobseekers allowance should be able to get a minimum subsistence payment(about €60 weekly) as long as they satisfy the means test.

Means tested, why not the same for everyone? A PAYE worker who saved up a lot of money being treated differently to a self employed person who likewise paid their due taxes and saved the same amount of money.

My farm was hit with a bad TB problem a number of years ago, cattle were not suitable for sending to a factory, had a really big drop in income, went and looked for farm assist, it is means tested, they used the figures the farm would normally make and not what it currently was making at the time and I was refused any help from the state, as I was above means.
They used figures for normal operations, not the abnormal situation I found myself in.
If they do that with farm assist, I am sure they do the same with jobseekers allowance too, for a certain period.

harry Bailey esq

lavdad wrote: »

I just can't fathom why the government dishes out cash payments to people who are dependents and don't need the money for rent or food. Why do those of us who have worked hard our entire lives have to shell out what amounts to most of the little disposable income we would otherwise earn on taxes to fund the unnecessary spending of single mothers, junkies and other such lazy freeloaders? It makes me want to go into a padded room with a baseball bat and mannequin, with the aforementioned types of people fixed in the mind's eye.

I notice that you've just signed up,I forsee you being a popular chap around here.I have to admit though,found your idea of a baseball bat,a dummy and a padded cell genius.I may not agree with what you say,but I like your style chief

DeadHand

RobertKK wrote: »

My farm was hit with a bad TB problem a number of years ago, cattle were not suitable for sending to a factory, had a really big drop in income, went and looked for farm assist

I was under the impression that in cases like this the entire herd is slaughtered (regardless of suitibility) and the farmer finacially compensated for his loss. A compensation that errs on the side of generousity. Leaving aside the natural emotional toll on the farmer, it isn't seen as the end of the world in a business sense and is sometimes even considered advantageous.

JTL

Been unemployed due to contracts finishing twice in the last year. Being honest, during that time if I met someone new (or bumped into an old friend who I wasn't touch with) and they asked what I was doing, I felt terrible saying 'on the dole'.

Back working now thankfully though. Would never look down my nose on anyone signing on as know I could be in that position again quite easily.

RobertKK

DeadHand wrote: »

I was under the impression that in cases like this the entire herd is slaughtered (regardless of suitibility) and the farmer finacially compensated for his loss. A compensation that errs on the side of generousity. Leaving aside the natural emotional toll on the farmer, it isn't seen as the end of the world in a business sense and is sometimes even considered advantageous.

No, it was a case of one or two at a time, then a clear test, then in the next test, another would fail, went on for two years, not enough to get depopulated, but didn't want to see depopulation anyway.

Badgers were dying around the place, so they implemented a badger cull, and a number of them had TB. Since rhey were removed, the problem is gone.

I had a heifer and you get more money for a heifer than a cow, she was near 4 years old, and the department said she was a cow, she never had a calf, so I appealed, a woman in sandals came to the farm..wish it had been mucky...took one look at the animal and said she was a cow, that was also what I thought of that woman at the time.

lost_boy

aaakev wrote: »

All those people are members of our society and are entitled to support if its needed. Get over it.

Please explain the "unnecessary spending of single mothers"

nothing against that group but i find it slightly irritating how single mothers have nearly attained hero status at this stage

they are certainly a liberal sacred cow

DeadHand

RobertKK wrote: »

I had a heifer and you get more money for a heifer than a cow, she was near 4 years old, and the department said she was a cow, she never had a calf, so I appealed, a woman in sandals came to the farm..wish it had been mucky...took one look at the animal and said she was a cow, that was also what I thought of that woman at the time.

That's actually outrageous.

If no calf is registered to a female that makes the animal a heifer irregardless of the appearance or age of the animal. It only goes by paperwork.

I'd be curious as to what qualified that woman to defy the paperwork with a cursory glance. She clearly wasn't an experienced cattle vet or even of a farming background if she materialised in a farmyard in a pair of sandals.

Putin

Robsweezie wrote: »

do you tell people you're on social welfare ?

Why? And why should anyone care? Unless they're a judgemental prick, in which case you'd be better off away from such unintelligent, dip****s.

snor

lost_boy wrote: »

nothing against that group but i find it slightly irritating how single mothers have nearly attained hero status at this stage

they are certainly a liberal sacred cow

I am a 'single mother' working full time and paying the highest rate of income tax. I have never claimed social welfare. My ex husband, a 'single father', doesn't work, doesn't want to work and claims social welfare. Pays no maintenance for his children either and constantly trying to get spousal maintenance frm me. Ever hear anyone criticising or even hear the term 'single father?'

jjbrien

I never get why people begrudge others on here for claming welfare. Jobs at home are still not available. Most people if given the choice between welfare and work will choose work. I myself was out of work for a little bit before I decided to head overseas to find it. Yes I claimed welfare I had paid into it for 10 years before i made a claim.

Did anyone here refuse the free education that you got since you were 5 years old? The answer is no. Personally after living in the USA for a few months now I see Ireland in a whole new light. Over here if your down on your luck and your entitlements run out its too bad for you. At home at least we will see right you ok till you get back on your feet. There is no lavish life on welfare folks. Try pay back debts you have that you took out when times were good and your left with hardly anything left to put food on the table.