Today's Benefits Liar

[joeluke]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3158036/Benefits-claimant-says-crippled-work-caught-lifting-17-stone-mobility-scooter-stairs-flat.html

'claims he cannot climb three stairs'

Looks to me like he's managing it without a problem, and whilst dragging a heavy object up the steps

[jim360]

At least if we have only one a day it's not too much of a problem.

[hc4361]

Do you think it right that this should be reported in the press before he has been dealt with by the authorities? How did the paper find out exactly what money he receives and why?

[joeluke]

What's wrong with naming and shaming these fraudsters?

[hc4361]

Innocent until proven guilty, joeluke.

[Baldric]

Jim, one is one too many!

[joeluke]

hc........he's quoted as saying:

"If the DSS (Department of Social Security) saw me pulling this up the stairs they would have my guts for garters. They would say 'You're not disabled. If you can pull that up the *** steps, what's wrong with you?'. I would lose everything. I get anxious about it."

[jim360]

DSS? He's about 15 years behind.

[hc4361]

I know what he said, joeluke, he also said "'I'm not physically capable of working and haven't been for years. I need the scooter. I can walk up three steps before I'm buggered" and the paper reports "he claims he has suffered six heart attacks, a minor stroke and has problems with one of his kidneys and his legs".

Why can't the media report him to the authorites and THEN report the outcome in the newspaper?

[taranis]

There are far too many of these people taking advantage, no wonder the benefits system costs so much, and it's not helped by the do-gooders making excuses for them.

[hc4361]

Who's making excuses for them? I want to see people who defraud the benefit system properly dealt with and then reported on, not have the case against them compromised by the media.

I also don't want to read in tomorrow's paper that this man has died from a heart attack caused by the stress of this report, especially if the authorities would have ruled that he is still entitled to the benefits.

By all means report people you suspect people of fiddling the system, as I have done, but don't put them in today's equivalent of the stocks before they have even been investigated.

[mushroom25]

according to available stories on the internet, the story was broken by the sun.

sadly since they now skulk behind a pay-wall, most of us can't read the original.

[sandyRoe]

This man might be risking his life pulling his mobility scooter up those steps rather than leave it outside and have it stolen.

[hc4361]

It is also reported that he is going blind and has epilepsy. Whether that is true or not, I don't know.

I agree he can't leave his scooter outside, for one thing it needs to be charged.

[Just-Jude]

Why can't the council provide a downstairs flat? No wonder he's suffered heart attacks, at this rate the poor guy will be dead soon.

[Marshwarble]

It's a very strange story. He registers himself as disabled so he has to travel everywhere by scooter, yet the council won't give a downstairs flat. How many real disabled claimants are they treating in the same fashion?

[hc4361]

Is there a disability register? Is there a link to it?
Anyone can buy a mobility scooter and yes, there are disabled people who are trapped in their own homes because of stairs, steps and other obstructions.
Some live in high rise flats with no hope of going out if the lift breaks.

[hc4361]

You have full access to his medical records, oldbob?

[sinderella]

maybe all disabled people should have the old blue three wheeler?