Free money!

“Claimants of PIP and other benefits could get £9000 free!” Absolute bollocks!!
When you see these headlines do not be taken in. Free cash doesn’t come to anyone but the rich.

The vile hacks putting out such shit should be …..erm…..ashamed (very revised comment upon my part) firstly there is no such thing as a benefit, that is a term to fool the foolish. You do not claim a benefit, you claim an entitlement.

Most of us that have to claim an entitlement, me sadly included, have earnt most of our lives and have paid in much more than we ever will claim back.

These badly written headlines (note there was no punctuation, because, these vile sensationalist prostitutes of our words, have only a knowledge of propaganda,

dissemination and division, not of the actual language they seek to weaponise) are not written to encourage those in need to claim, no, the use of ££££ and free actually is for all those not entitled to make a claim, to spout hate filled bile about “scroungers” or “scammers” or “lazy bastards” or even “illegals” (by the way illegals if that were even a valid term, as in people that are residing in the UK without permission and “leave to stay”, do not get benefits, they are in hiding, can’t really go down the job centre, and if they are found and not placed in a confinement centre “camp” , and yes they do really exist, and are not pleasant hotels, they are in truth seen as people with no recourse (no access to) public funds (that word benefits again). So nope they don’t get “free cash”, no matter what Sid or Andy says in the local working men’s club tells you! There families, friends and communities are responsible for feeding and accommodating them.

So why do folk get entitlements? Because they know and play the system? A very few maybe, but a lot less than the wealthy playing the tax system (you know? That money we all pay upon everything we earn, save and spend).

Most people get entitlements because they cannot work, whether through illness, disability or being a carer. Some because they cannot get jobs, or worse rely on zero hour contracts, an immoral system ensuring they never will have any stability, credit, or chances. Zero hour contracts, and sadly being on “entitlements” means no mortgage applications, loans only at horrific rates of interest, (some of the less desirable lenders, even so called “reputable doorstep lenders” can charge a rate over 100% above what was borrowed, and sadly the worst of these many times more than that), and quite often people having to claim, only have access to slum housing.

When people say living on the breadline, sadly it can be below that, with parents especially having to try to feed their own kids, by going without themselves.

So anyway let’s get back to this free cash shall we? How do we access benefits? A nice friendly phone call with an affable call handler is your first port of erm…call (excuse the pun).

Then if you meet the criteria to access an entitlement you will either go through a form with the advisor or be sent a form. The questions do not just include why you need to claim, but all sorts of delves into your life, past, present and future.

That’s the easy bit. Then you are assessed by an unnamed faceless person whom it seems, at whim can allow or disallow you getting any further.

Then if you are turned down for some entitlements it’s the end of the line. Others you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration by another faceless nameless being.

Even then you likely will still be turned down, and if you have the capacity to do so can appeal, which often takes around a year. 70% of people previously turned down by those people paid to stop you getting what you are entitled to, actually win the appeal and get their claim back dated.

That’d be when things really get challenging. Living your life waiting for the next white or brown envelope, the fear of trying to live on those days you cope with your pain a little better, knowing that people won’t understand that you are still in agony, and that the pain, and / or exhaustion is only being kept at bay to a small degree with prescribed poisons. That the walks you used to love are not possible anymore, that you are seen behaving “as a normal person” (not that such a person exists), therefore can’t be ill. Feeling your body deteriorate every single day because you dare not or cannot leave the house. Panic about a strange car parking near your home. Knowing people that don’t like you will quickly judge and try to get you into trouble because of their fake perceptions and lack of understanding. Sadly knowing so called friends actually judge by only seeing what they want to see.

Then there is the guilt of being unemployed, of being ill, of being immobile, of losing thoughts and words, of feeling pathetic, of not being able to do what society expects and demands.

Oh and the luck of having every day to yourself? Try it! A few days off when you are working may be bliss, but knowing you cannot work, that your home becomes a prison, that every day becomes the same, often with no contact with anyone from the outside world, not working becomes purgatory.

What of those that called you brother, or sister, or friend? What of there promises to always be there for you, their what soon becomes faux respect, what of them? They soon back away, when you have to stay at home, leaving you isolated from the life you had.

Then family become estranged. Often so easily poisoned by those who use your illness and disability against you. Those who reinforce your own views that you are pathetic.

And on top of this, bizarrely there are those who mimic you, that try to steal your story, that pretend your daily fight is theirs, these are the most dangerous of all, because soon they imagine your words to be theirs, then misquote, blame and even give voice to their own pathetic views as if they were yours. Sadly people who should know better are taken in so easily by the same type of person who would buy medals to wear as their own.

So free money? Not so free when you realise it was often earned before, and is paid for in the existence that follows. Its truly not free, nor a bleeding benefit.

I am no perfect English scholar, but I at least try, and am always sincere, writing what I truly believe to be the truth. If you have read this far, and understand please feel free to share.
Thank you for taking the time
Jonesy.