New controls on benefits mean tighter finances

Some people will experience more difficulty obtaining help with finances after change.

11:02 05 June 2013

The UK is facing criticism and a possible legal dispute due to their new check to see if people are legitimately able to collect benefit payments.

 

Claims were made that the new checks may be discriminating against migrants, but opponents say that the system should not be a free-for-all and it should be for those with a legal right to be in the country, and for people who had paid into the system. 

 

With the new checks though, many people may have greater concern for the state of their finances. Here are a few things that people may end up relying on if perhaps they aren’t able to receive benefits they need. 

 

• Unhealthy food-many times the unhealthy food is the least expensive type to purchase, and those who are struggling with finances may feel they have to purchase that type of food in order to have enough to eat. 

 

• Payday loans-if there is not enough money to cover the month, they might have to rely upon high-interest payday loans in order to fill the gap in the finances at the end of the month. 

 

• Friends and family-many people may already be relying on the assistance of friends and family to help with extra meals or even funds to help them meet their daily expenses and other finances. 

 

• Risky health practices-if people are concerned over their ability to pay their portion of medical bills, they may avoid health care altogether which could put the community at risk of infectious diseases, or other health concerns, but also puts the person at higher risk of having medical issues that go undetected and untreated. 

 

• Credit cards-it’s very tempting to rely on credit cards to cover certain needs if you happen to have available credit. If finances are already strained though, this merely adds to the monthly amount of bills and creates more stress and debt.