Bag's Rants

Government ineptitude or Government as usual.

Lisa, my daughter, has just received a letter from the employment office. She asked me to look at it because she couldn't understand it. Considering they send these forms to a wide variety of people I though they made very little sense.

It started by saying;

'I am writing to tell you your change of circumstance does not effect the amount of Income Support we pay you.

This means you will continue to get £22.22. per week' (The two amounts she was quoted are made up here as £11.11 and £22.22)

Sounds OK. The next line says.

'From 27th July 2005, your income support will change to £11.11 per week. This is because there is a change to your circumstances and the amount the law says you need to live on

From 17th August 2005 we will continue to pay you £11.11 a week. This is because a change in your circumstances does not effect the amount of support payable to you.

From 24th August 2005 we will continue to pay you £11.11 a week. This is because a change in your circumstances does not effect the amount of support payable to you.'

Finally, a future date.

'From 5th April 2006 we will continue to pay you £11.11 a week. This is because a change in your circumstances does not effect the amount of support payable to you.' (How do they know that? These guys must be ex British Intelligence.)

Then it goes on about how you will get your money, how it is worked out, really simple two line calculation that is meaningless and a section on how to appeal.

What does it actually mean? She had no idea how much she is supposed to be getting now. I think she is getting £11.11 per week with back money owed from Jul-2005. The calculation, delivered today, the 6-Oct-2005 was dated 28-Sep-2005 and only covered the dates 20-Jul-2005 to 26-Jul-2006.

If she needed that money for, well hell, selfish and stupid things like food and clothing she would only just now be getting it. Lucky for her she has a dozy father she can still scrounge things off.

It is no wonder people who could claim are put off and the poor and vulnerable are missing out on some money which would make an impact on their lives. Plus people who are entitled to the money and need it have to wait until the behemoth starts it's work. In some cases crime beckons as a way to plug the gap which should not exist. Then they end up on the wrong side of the law. The best bit is that a hint, an anonymous phone call, anything at all and the money stops till an investigation is made. Which can leave people penniless. It's a disgrace.

There should be something done about this whole area. I'm for simplifying the lot and to make up for the increase in costs, as claims increase, we get rid of bureaucrats running it.

posted by Bag @ 10:31 pm