Gransnet forums

Legal, pensions and money

What about a "Benefits, Legal & Money" Topic?

(52 Posts)

GNHQ have commented on this thread. Read here.

Elegran Fri 24-Sep-21 14:45:39

GNHQ has asked for a thread on "Chat" for this, to see whether enough people want it to make it worthwhile for them to create it. A lot of posters on another thread are very keen. Some elsewhere think too many topis are confusing.

So why not change the title of the "Legal and money" topic to "Benefits, Legal and Money" which doesn't increase the number of topics, and incidentally puts the topic further up the alphabetical list, next to "Bereavement". Post your opinions, that will speed up HQ's adoption of the idea.

Riverwalk Fri 24-Sep-21 14:52:24

hmm

There is already a thread asking for the same thing, currently with 83 posts - can't imagine why GNHQ is asking for another to gauge interest.

The site is not that big for the original thread to be overlooked!

Maybe I'm missing something here?

ixion Fri 24-Sep-21 14:53:09

Yes please.
For all the reasons already explained in the original thread
Mon 20-Sep-21 21:42:53, Site Stuff
?

www.gransnet.com/forums/site_stuff/1301165-Would-it-be-an-idea-to-have-a-Benefits-Forum-on-the-list?msgid=28941606

kittylester Fri 24-Sep-21 14:59:01

I thi k it's a brilliant ide.

Early Fri 24-Sep-21 15:11:35

The Legal and Money section is a rag bag of topics on all manner of things. A look back through the recents: wills, inheritance, wages, buying and renting property, VAT and excise duty on EU purchases, TV licencing, Premium Bonds, car financing.

PippaZ’s idea of a separate section dedicated to Benefits is a much better idea imo. I have already posted at length on Pippa’s thread about this and really cannot understand why GN are resisting. It really is a minor adjustment that a competent programmer could deal with in not much time at all. I suspect they just don’t have anyone there who can actual do this small thing - just like all the other minor changes we have been asking for for a very long time. I just wish they would be upfront about what is going on.

SusieB50 Fri 24-Sep-21 15:17:08

Better to have a separate Benefits header .

Elegran Fri 24-Sep-21 15:21:20

I don't know either why they wantd someone to start a new thread about it under the "Chat" topic, but now that there is one, they can hardly ignore what they themselves requested.

I think it highly likely that they don't have anyone inhouse who can do a change to the coding of the site. They probably have to outsource the work to a specialist organisation at vast expense. Sites are so complex now. Gone are the days when an amateur could run one up in an evening.

FarNorth Fri 24-Sep-21 15:32:14

I support the idea of somewhere to ask for, and give, advice about benefits.

'Benefits' as a separate topic would be best but if it has to be added onto 'Legal and Money' rather than stay without then okay.

There are already a lot of posts supporting this on the thread in 'Site Stuff', which is where GNHQ requested it be put to start with.
I hope they will not ignore that thread in favour of this one, which they have now asked for.

May7 Fri 24-Sep-21 15:33:44

Yes good idea

FannyCornforth Fri 24-Sep-21 16:12:47

Yes, yes, yes ?

toscalily Fri 24-Sep-21 16:33:15

As Fanny says, yes, yes & yes. Seems like we are knocking on the door but nobody's in!

Grannynannywanny Fri 24-Sep-21 17:50:27

Yes please, for all the reasons already stated in the 4 pages which were in response to Pippa’s original post.

Blossoming Fri 24-Sep-21 17:54:41

Yes, I think it’s a great idea, as previously discussed.

Squiffy Fri 24-Sep-21 18:22:46

Yes, definitely a separate thread. Otherwise, information will get missed in the melée of other topics amongst the posts.

PippaZ Fri 24-Sep-21 19:51:03

I have been out today celebrating my birthday this weekend and was really suprised to see GNHQ had asked for another thread.

I'm sure we have all heard that one of the most unclaimed benefits is Pension Credit but many people will need to find out about them, not necessarily for themselves but for older and younger family members. I started to find out about them for my mother and, to be honest, there should be a degree course in finding your way round and understanding them.

I am trying to understand why GNHQ wanted this on Chat, as well as on Site Stuff. I can only think that they want to be sure this subject will not offend anyone. I can't believe it will. I know just how helpful our community can be. I also know that the helpful threads have often helped me - even though I have actually posted on them.

Elegran's OP sums it up well. If you think that at some time some small piece of information or support could help one or many of out fellow GNetters, please post and let GN know.

NotSpaghetti Fri 24-Sep-21 21:23:41

Yes. I think benefits would be better on its own

Grannynannywanny Sat 25-Sep-21 08:42:08

I hope when GNHQ are considering this request they take into account that there were 4 pages of posts unanimously in favour in response to Pippa’s original post.

PippaZ Sat 25-Sep-21 09:03:24

I've put a post on the original thread Grannynannywanny, asking what the problem is - I can understand why there is an issue that needs us to put a thread first in one place and then another.

I have reported that post so maybe (or not) they will tell us why this is such a challenge for them.

Grannynannywanny Sat 25-Sep-21 09:08:42

Fingers crossed PippaZ

Granniesunite Sat 25-Sep-21 09:31:46

Yes once again a great idea.

FarNorth Sat 25-Sep-21 14:41:01

Maybe it's part of the GN tradition of keeping us occupied while nothing actually happens.

toscalily Mon 27-Sep-21 12:49:38

I'm commenting on here with the vain hope that it might rise to the top again as I still think it would be a good idea. Having just read PippaZ latest post which I feel is somewhat disenchanted with GN (rightly so) I think perhaps we should make a more concerted effort to get some one at HQ to listen and respond.

Cabbie21 Mon 27-Sep-21 14:31:17

I wish they would just get on with it.

FarNorth Sun 03-Oct-21 19:34:54

Bump.

Yoo-hoo, GNHQ. Any progress?

(As an aside, I just saw 'Gransnet' on the MN Talk list. So that's what we are - an obscure little section of MN.)

MamaCaz Sun 03-Oct-21 21:11:55

Could GNHQ think that by putting this thread on 'chat', it is likely to be read (and replied to) by far more Gransnetters than one on 'site stuff', so giving them a more accurate idea of how much support there is for the suggestion? Just a thought.