Who is defrauding who?

EDIT: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2075861/Pauline-Ford-58-saved-22k-nest-egg-benefits-pay-back.html

This is exactly the same as me. If she had recieved decent care, and decent advice and had a decent life she shouldn't be in that mess. She shouldnt have been in the first place. (by the way before anyone jumps at me, I have declared...)

I'm going to be controversial for a minute, so please look away now if you can't cope :).

I have often thought, and been quite embarrassed about the fact that even though I have been on benefits for the last 6 years because of sickness, and disability, I have quite a lot of savings.

Before this point I was labouring under the guilty illusion that I had in fact got too much money and must be in some way committing fraud. But as of today I have finally realised that it is not me doing the de frauding but the system that is defrauding me.


I don't want to go into detail about the heirarchy of disability, just to say it exists, and mental health conditions are at the bottom of the heap. Not only that, aniexty, panic and trauma based conditions are at the bottom of the mental health heap. Despite being the 'easiest' to stabilise these are the conditions that are the most like to not recieve any help at all from the NHS.

Actually I apologise, thats not true. We do recieve help from the NHS, but its an arbitrary set of 20-30 sessions of talking therapy regardless of the severity and extent of symptoms. As the 'solution' is not drug based we are not considered amongst the more 'serious' mental illnesses such as bi polar or schizophrenia. People with those conditions are covered in care from the mental health teams. They have access to care plans, social workers, crisis intervention, etc etc. I am not denying their experience, but merely comparing it to my own. I have been told on many occasions that my condition simply doesn't fit within the service so therefore they don't do anything for me.

My condition is one of the easiest to treat, but shoving pills down me is actually quite dangerous. Long term, intensive talking therapy is the only solution. Which is the snag, as that costs money. Alot of money. But then if you counter that with the number of police interventions (because no one else would keep me 'safe') and the amount of benefits I have received because I am not able to get better and get working or at least contributing to society then I am sure it would be cheaper.

Which brings me back to my original point. Simply shoving money at me through the benefits system isn't actually helping me. I don't have the means to spend any of it. Without access to decent care, treatment and therapy then most of the time I am sat at home (when I am not at uni, yes I study, but part time and its an uphill struggle) on my computer, with my cat. I dont spend much on food because I can't cook elaborate meals, and rely on a microwave. I just don't have that many things I can actually spend the money on, which is how I have ended up with savings.

So yes, although it might appear that I am defrauding the government, actually they are defrauding me of the care and support I need to get well, and in turn defrauding themselves of someone who could within a few years be well enough to be in the system and helping to change it for the better.

Rant over, I feel better now.