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do you tell people you're on social welfare ?

  • 06-04-2015 04:30AM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,434 ✭✭✭


    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?


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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,064 ✭✭✭aaakev


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


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 79 ✭✭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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,064 ✭✭✭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"


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,563 ✭✭✭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.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 79 ✭✭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.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,578 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,745 ✭✭✭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?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 79 ✭✭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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,434 ✭✭✭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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,373 ✭✭✭✭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!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,610 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,779 ✭✭✭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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭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?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,217 ✭✭✭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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,473 ✭✭✭Wacker The Attacker


    I have to fund my hectic social schedule somehow.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,905 ✭✭✭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 ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,782 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,380 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,681 ✭✭✭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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,779 ✭✭✭Spunge


    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'


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,681 ✭✭✭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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,236 ✭✭✭✭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?

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,236 ✭✭✭✭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.

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,610 ✭✭✭✭kneemos


    JustTheOne wrote: »
    There's that word entitled again.

    Scourge on Irish society.

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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 546 ✭✭✭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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,696 ✭✭✭air


    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!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,103 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 24,810 ✭✭✭✭dxhound2005


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

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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,563 ✭✭✭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)


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,681 ✭✭✭JustTheOne


    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.


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