Comments on Techno-Billies: A Very Bad Show!

I have to speak out in defence of the system here ...

2010-08-31T19:22:15.512+01:00

I have to speak out in defence of the system here having worked inside it.

There are some very unscrupulous people out there who frankly sponge, those who are very convincing at faking it. Since the European bill of human rights effectively makes it illegal for the Benefits Agency to 'stake out' without proof of wrongdoing it's very hard to catch people out. Of course if you have proof why do you need the stake out?

You only have the time of the interview to catch people out, so the interview has to be designed to catch people out. Hence the different types of questioning. It's sadly one of the only ways to catch cheats who do cost the country one hell of a lot of money. In fact if you got rid of them then there would have been no need for Jonathon's interview at all and he would be paid more as well!

Because you are dealing with very complex legal procedings if there are the slightest wrong doings or deviation from procedure a clever lawyer can get a clear case overturned at even greater cost to the tax payer, so its a one glove fits all approach.

Add to that with every general election everyone wants to 'sort out' benefits, leading to an ever changing raft of rules and regulations you have a very unwieldy tool.

Unfortunately, I couldn't work in a system that doesn't have a human touch so I left, but I do feel the system gets unfair criticism. It is a case of damned if you do damned if you don't.

Jonathon's case is far from typical but I can tell you I dealt with worse things than this.

Sadly at the end of the day it comes down to money. A lot of people were shuffled off the Jobseekers into Incapacity Benefit as is was at the time so the government could show a reduction in Jobseekers Allowance claimants and less unemployed. Now we are in a period of high unemployment and the system is strained so they are looking to save money where ever they can.

The same thing happens with the NHS having to chose between drugs leading to a huge difference in treatments around the country.

This is why I dislike the concept of money.

Jonathon deserves more, so do a lot of people and unfortunately there just isn't enough to give. I'll not carry on any further as I can get a bit ranty about it.

I loved reading about his expedition by the way, people who tackle things head on always get my admiration.

thank you all for your support and thank you from ...

2010-03-08T11:12:06.829Z

thank you all for your support and thank you from Jonathon too who is always suprised and humbled when strangers are concerned about what happened/happens to him. Bright and New... I knew that you would understand about the way the system works and we realise that there are those who would abuse it... but somehow I cant help but feel that there is a more dignified way of approaching the subject without traumatising the disabled person. Alas we felt like we had begged for his disability allowance and that has left us with a very nasty taste in our mouths.

Pleased he got the DLA at last. I know quite a fe...

2010-03-07T14:44:22.014Z

Pleased he got the DLA at last. I know quite a few people who have had to go to appeal and know how stressful it can be, sadly some people and their false claims have made it such a difficult process to access DLA for so many genuine claimants - it is one of those benefits that 'they' are always try to catch people out on. :(

In a way we are lucky with our Joe (and I use the word 'lucky' with irony). His disabilities are profound and will not improve so we have a relatively staight forward claim that rarely needs renewing. I couldn't imagine going through all that you and your son have had to go through with each claim.

Best wishes to him and thanks for all he has done serving for his country. It is a shame that his country is not quite so quick in helping him.

Dear Billie Jane and Jonathon, I am so sorry that...

2010-03-07T01:31:53.453Z

Dear Billie Jane and Jonathon,

I am so sorry that you were at the mercy of this sociopathic tribunal. Shame on them. It is criminal that they feel no shame for their heartless and ridiculous behavior. I regret that they will not be punished for their cruelty, stupidity and incompetence.

Blessings to both of you.

Jonathon, thank you for being the man that you are. You are a true inspiration and blessing to all of us.

Bill
U.S.A.

It is absolutely disgusting the way your son has b...

2010-03-07T01:28:37.523Z

It is absolutely disgusting the way your son has been treated. Words fail me but good for him (and you) for not allowing them to bully him into submission.

Tell Jonathon "Thank you" from me...and ...

2010-03-06T20:45:18.331Z

Tell Jonathon "Thank you" from me...and "God Bless." It really is too bad that ignorance is not painful.

Hell's teeth! First you fight for your countr...

2010-03-06T19:29:45.764Z

Hell's teeth!

First you fight for your country. Then you have to fight with your country.

Even Franz Kafka's world made better sense than that.

I am totally shocked at reading this, what a terri...

2010-03-06T18:00:27.042Z

I am totally shocked at reading this, what a terrible nightmare to have to go through all that. It makes me so angry that they give handouts willy nilly to any economic immigrants who come here to milk the system, and a British citizen who has fought for his country is treated in this abominable fashion. I'm absolutely disgusted.

I hope he has no more bother now, and he can get on with making the best of his situation.

How dreadful for all concerned! What a relief it ...

2010-03-06T11:49:30.084Z

How dreadful for all concerned! What a relief it must be that the "third degree" is OVER and your son prevailed. Kudos to him for presenting his case so well, despite the underhanded efforts to catch him out.