this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2023
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Compoface
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Like I get that SSP is woefully inadequate, but what was the rent and what was the wage loss?
I mean based off my own personal circumstances which aren't dissimilar to hers (Factory worker, 2 kids, not London), 2 bouts of Covid would put me behind on the rent by about 2 weeks. That's based on getting paid SSP for two separate weeks. That doesn't account for the time in between the two bouts which gives time to catch up, do a little bit of overtime and set up a payment plan or something.
Also funny how she was living in her friend's garden in a tent until someone said it was fine, they suddenly found themselves living in the woods...
It's a broken system, and the navigation of it is an absolute arse-pain.
The council put them in a location (hostel) that they felt did not meet the needs of their child. The council disagreed, so in the meantime they moved into a tent in a friend's garden.
The council deemed that living in a tent in a friend's garden meant that they were no longer in need, so they moved into the woods (or perhaps the friend kicked them out, we don't know). But if they'd continued living in the friend's garden, as far as the council is concerned, they're off the radar.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't kinda situation, sadly.
I agree it's a broken system, I even agree that sick pay is woefully lacking. But this story is very one sided and the questions that it brings to mind isn't "how can we fix the system" but "why can't you work around the system like everyone else does?" and honestly this story feels like it's her way of trying to get her own way, like she's heard that she can just get a council house given if she manages to convince someone to tick the correct boxes.
Yeah I agree with you. The news is giving us one side of the story from her perspective but no one is drilling down into the details. She also said she is “entitled” to public housing and money which shows a motive.
Council reports she could have paid rent but chose not to.
Oh also that she probably contacted the news organisations herself to get the story out there.