>>>>>>I would be all in favor of kicking off the layabouts to make room for the new out-works who are truly victims of the changed economy.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I was referring specifically to Britain, but the way, where it was my understanding getting 'on the dole' was a lot easier than getting unemployment here.
>>>>>
>>>>>I don't know, but I suspect that to be true. I have a friend who has no physical or mental handicap and lives on the dole. She always has. She visits here for 30 days every year. It may not be easy, but she manages.
>>>>>
>>>>>We have to separate temporary unemployment assistance from welfare though. I don't know if there are different programs in GB like we have here.
>>>>
>>>>You might get "on the dole " easily but what you get is not a lot of money. Your "friend" is probably on some sort of long term disability benefit.
>>>
>>>She's certainly on a good benefit gig if a) she can afford to travel to the USA on it and b) they give her 30 days (of not seeking work) to travel abroad (where she can't). Normally it's 2 weeks tops for "summer holiday". if you go abroad you have to sign off and make a new claim on return (so no money for that period).
>>>
>>>"The dole" is called "Job seekers' allowance" and you have to keep written proof of your job applications and attempts to find work, to receive it. And they are scrutinized.
>>>
>>>>I can never understand why the UK is always the butt of these comments. The UK's welfare payments are some of the worst in Europe.
>>>>There certainly are a small number of people living in the margins who have never had work and are largely unemployable but its certainly not an easy or profitable life choice. Going from employment to benefits is I would imagine a huge shock for most people.
>>
>>
>>You where out for a while Terry.
>>
>>Did you get offered any training classes or just a lot of McJobs
>
>I wasn't offered any training. I was McThreatened that I'd have to take the next McJob, or I'd lose out on receiving my national insurance contributions (All they pay after 6 months)
>
>For US readers: We pay national insurance contributions, as like an extra tax. This is to insure us against illness (what funds our free NHS) and unemployment (social security payments) and to provide a state pension. Thus we are a bit more entitled to unemployment benefits, as we have been paying. The continuation of paying the NI when out of work, even after job seeker allowance has finished (after 6 mths), is to keep up your state pension contribs.

Here we too pay into the system. We pay social security tax out of our wages (usually around 7.65% of wages but wages are only taxes up to a limited amount around $106,000). Only employers pay the federal unemployment tax though (fund for payments of unemployment compensation to people who have lost their jobs).

For continued health coverage after losing your job, COBRA is an option. The ex-employee pays both his share and his old employer's share to ensure continued health insurance coverage. Few can afford it though.