Claiming benefits when you do not need them?

Dr House

Dr House

Dr House

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My dad lost his job around 6 months ago, he could not be happier at the moment, he wakes up in the morning in his own time, goes to the gym for 3 hours and then goes to play golf all day, he is now on a 3 month holiday around the US. Its well Deserved after working stupid hours for 30 years.


Anyway he was entitled to some sort of job seekers allowance (before he want on holiday) however he does not claim it because he does not feel he should as he does not need it and he is not really planning to go back to work anymore.

So what are peoples thoughts on this, if you don’t need the money should you really be taking tax payers money designed to support people in times of need?

Or should you claim everything you are entitled to because you have worked your whole life and paid taxes.
 
it's a matter of principles, if you need the money, then certainly you should, unfortunately, most people will regardless
 
Yes I think he should if he has earned it and by the sounds of it he is owed it which is more than can be said for a large chunk of the non-working population.
 
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He should claim it if entitled and is out of work as it could mess up his national insurance contributions which could have a knock on effect on his state pension.
 
Prior to the banking crisis when the nation's finances were in good shape I would have said claim everything you're entitled to as we approached new Jerusalem. Now however we are in the new age of austerity, so imo it should be seen as a patriotic duty not to claim benefits if you don't need them.
 
He's paid into the system more than the scum who make a career out of living on it for their whole lives, so he's more entitled to it than they are.
 
'job seekers' he's not seeking, therefore shouldn't apply for it. but regardless of savings etc, if he's looking I don't have a problem with claiming for it.
 
Dr House said:
Anyway he was entitled to some sort of job seekers allowance (before he want on holiday) however he does not claim it because he does not feel he should as he does not need it and he is not really planning to go back to work anymore.
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If he has no intention of seeking work, then he's not entitled to any Job Seekers benefits, whether he wants them or not.

It's his choice, either he can chose to seek work, and claim benefits that he's entitled to, or he can enjoy his life if he feels like he's got enough money saved up to do so. Sounds like he's made his choice.
 
Deluxe1 said:
He should claim it if entitled and is out of work as it could mess up his national insurance contributions which could have a knock on effect on his state pension.
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This - I'm claiming jobseekers, but not getting paid anything as my savings are (or more likely now, were..) too much - but I need to ensure my National Insurance contributions are kept up to date.
 
Of course he should claim it, he has worked hard for 30 years, and with the world the way it is, unless he is a millionaire, you can't say that in the future he won't need it.
 
Amleto said:
'job seekers' he's not seeking, therefore shouldn't apply for it. but regardless of savings etc, if he's looking I don't have a problem with claiming for it.
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He does actually plan to do some work as his is only in his early 50's, he will try and get a bit of consultancy work here and there. But he does not plan to do the 12 hours+ per day he has been doing for 30 years.


Showboat said:
Of course he should claim it, he has worked hard for 30 years, and with the world the way it is, unless he is a millionaire, you can't say that in the future he won't need it.
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He's no millionaire however he comfortable enough.


I was asking more of a general question less my dads actual situation.
 
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He sounds like a top guy, I wish more people had his common sense, selfless principles. If he lives comfortably and doesn't need or want the benefits then it's up to him.

His tax has gone into things he would have used a great deal throughout his life: NHS, roads, policing -the list is almost endless.
 
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