Perhaps an annual audit should be required for dependents receiving any government assistance . At least to weed out the cheats of the system. Again, when it comes to EI (employment insurance) we cannot go back to the idea of "I paid into it, I'm entitled to it". EI (at least in Canada) is much like our health care system. The money goes into a pot and is distributed to those that claim they need it. It is also only accesible if you are laid off from a job. If you quit its impossible to get it, and if you are fired, I believe there is red tape to deal with.

If its going to those that "need" it, they BETTER DAMN WELL NEED IT. Buying 3 video game systems on my contributed dime ticks me off.

Unfortunately, unemployment compensation is just like a person'* wages - people are free to do what they want with the money.

It would be difficult to manage, but the ideal situation would be to NOT give cash the recipient, rather have their bills (mortgage/rent, utilities, debit cards for gas/groceries, etc) paid directly by the unemployment agency. But that would be a monster to regulate/audit and people would find ways to scam it too.

It takes a while to build up unemployment benefits and its only a scam if you purposely get fired so you can collect them. How a person spends money they are given is not a scam but their choice. You sound a little jealous right now but just be happy you will still have a job and money when his benefits run out..

Well, hang on a second. How does the system work in the US? Is each person contributing to their OWN compensation fund for an eventual layoff? Or, is it like the system here whereby everyone who is working contributes to a social funding program that is divided up amongst the unemployed?

Because if its the latter, we should be all distressed and uncomfortable with the fact that people are taking advantage of the system...especially a dependent.

I think as you are paid your employer pays into the unemployment fund.

I personally get more pissed off when older people that have bills to pay use the money for the bar or drugs or something else stupid. Sure I think it is bad if a dependant buys crap with the money, but there are much worse things going on with that money

Ever go to Atlantic City?

just because he lives under his parents roof does not necessarily make him a legal dependent, if his parents do not claim him as a dependent then he isnt a dependent and is eligible for welfare.

Unfortunately you cant make them spend the money on what is needed.

anyone ever pay child support.??? I used to , and I know she was not spending it on my
son.
I have had custody of my son since 2000 and make sure he gets what he needs.
oh and she dont pay me a cent.. hows that for equality. lol

FYI most states have anonymous tip lines to report abuse of unemployment. They may not be able to do anything but they will usually "audit" the person.

I just got off unemployment insurance a couple weeks ago. After making $15p/h in my last job it took me three months to find a job paying a lousy $11 . The thing that gets me is I was eligible to collect for 2 1/2 years! If I waited that long to get a job I would have died of boredom. I was getting $300 a week too but that didn't even pay the bills and I had to work for cash under the table just to get by. The fact that ******** like him are taking money out of the system when they don't even need it is just wrong. The craziest thing about it was the first three weeks I did not contact six employers as required because there were not any jobs paying $15p/h to apply for. The UI called me and took my money away because I didnt apply to enough places. Then when I asked they told me that I needed to apply to two places a week whether I had any intention of taking the job or not! Thats just beurocratic bullshat!

At any rate I'm just glad to be earning my own money again. Plus in my new job I get to bust scumbags like that shoplifting and prosecute them.