[user104658]

I was only very briefly on benefits, 4 and a half years ago for 6 months, but even then it was bloody stressful. My girlfriend was pregnant, we had both just finished University so literally HAD to move (from student accommodation) and so we moved to her home town to be near her family. They wanted to sanction JSA for 4 MONTHS because I had "voluntarily" left the job I had while at University... 400 miles away. Thankfully we appealed it and it was overruled but seriously no idea what we were supposed to do... Our families weren't in a position to support us, we had a baby on the way, and zero money.

Was only on JSA for 6 months in total but it's 6 months I'd rather forget. The jobsearch meetings are a frustrating shambles (they wanted me to go to an interview to be a sous chef in a 4 star hotel because I had previously worked in a pub kitchen) and the staff are painfully patronising.

And this was before the Tory government got in and made it even harder. I have no doubt the appeal would have failed under the current system. Doesn't bear thinking about, really. I certainly can't say I'd have had any moral issue with stealing food for us.