Benefits Fiddling Ex Pats.

[OrcadianOil]

Bet there are some on here who come into this category?

http://www.express.co...-46m-benefits-scandal

[LoftyLottie]

The heating allowance is tied in with pensions Joe Luke. It would probably cost the UK more in admin to not pay it to ex pats than actually give them the payment. However, whilst it is tied in and part of the pension then there is no reason they should be left out. And it does get cold in other countries you know.

[Sqad]

Benefit fiddlers should be stamped on whether they are ex pats or not.

[LoftyLottie]

Having to pay for prescriptions, Sqad, I believe from an ex pat friend. (who is actually still registered with his doctor in the UK!! (don't ask!)

[LoftyLottie]

True Sqad.

[joeluke]

trapped.......WEEKS (52) not months

[Sqad]

lofty.....as I have already said, if one is an OAP resident in Spain then he/she and dependants get free prescriptions paid by the UK Government.

[trapped]

Joe if you work the first one out that is how much each one gets per year

then divided by 52.18

[joeluke]

LL.......they have chosen to live in another country so in cold weather that country should pay them any heating allowance

Pensions are rightfully untouchable, benefits should stop as soon as someone emigrates

[LoftyLottie]

Why does my mate's hubby come back over here for his prescription medicine Sqad. I am now confused (more than usual).

[Sqad]

Joe....yeah! right.

[Sqad]

Lofty...I have no idea.......ask him.

Health Care in Spain is as good if not better than the UK......in my opinion.

[joeluke]

trapped........it works out at approx, £396 pcm and £91.50 pw per person

[LoftyLottie]

Joe, as I have said heating allowance is linked to pensions.

[jackthehat]

In order to massage the unemployment figures, which, as we know, are published on a regular basis, there was an impetus to push the 'long-term' unemployed onto *sickness benefit*. Result ? Unemployment statistics magically reduce which proves that Government policies for getting people back into work really *are* working.........
In order to manage the increased number of *sickness benefit* claimants, the time period between submitting sick-notes, etc was considerably extended. Result ? Some claimants only had to see their GP for 10 minutes two/three times a year to get their sick-note and acheive a 12-month continuing claim; which also entitled them to other benefits.

Then someone actually looked at the figures and realised that *unemployment benefit* levels were being run very close by *sickness benefit* and there is precious little imperative to get a job once in receipt of *sickness benefit*.

So, now it'll swing the other way...............SB will reduce and the UB figures will see-saw upwards.

I can see no good reason (unless someone has a paricularly persuasive argument) as to why it is possible to live abroad and be paid SB by the UK Government.

[trapped]

joe , Thank You

[trapped]

jackthehat for the past 6 years that i know of anyone on the sick has HAD to go for a medical with Atos Healthcare. They are the ones who sign you on or off the sick.
Your Doctor does not give you a sicknote

[jackthehat]

Is that true for all SB or the more signifcant Disability Benefits ?

[trapped]

that is for those on incapacity benefit. The DWP send for you and a private Doctor says if you are ill or fit. You go to your doctor for your prescription not a sick note.

The other thing is when you get incapacity benefit you have to pay for all your prescriptions.

[netibiza]

Sqad, I am an British OAP here in spain but have to pay for medicines because I married a younger man who is still working and paying into the Spanish Insalud system! I do not get or ever have the heating allowance because I was not living In england when I became a pensioner. Now if my husband stopped working we could both then get free medical tratment and medicines but until that day we will pay. I do get a free bus pass for use on Ibiza only!!!

[Sqad]

net,,,that is tough.