OK, we all know how much I like a rant, so here we go;
Firstly lets talk about DLA and IB. Disability Living Allowance, it is meant to be used for carers, you can get it for one of two reasons (or both) The mobility part is awarded if you have trouble walking, the severity of which will depend how much money you get (£18.65 and £49.10per week) The main idea of giving you this money is to help improve your life, by buying a wheelchair for example. There is also a scheme called motability where you can swap the money going into your account and instead get a car - adapted as nessacary (the latter is what I do with my DLA HRM)
Secondly, the care component - is intended to help towards paying for a carer to help you with aspects of your life you need help with, this could be washing, dressing, cooking a meal etc., in reality you can do what you like with the money. (Mine pays for petrol.) DLA Care component is paid at 3 levels (high, middle and low) again depending on the severity of the needs.
OK now that is cleared up, let me get on with my rant
'I'm not even applying for work at the moment because I'm only going to have to have lots of time off when I have more surgery.'
OK fine, some may see that as a fair point, however it implies that she is
able to work, but are not seeking employment at this time. If this is the case, then claiming IB is fraud. Incapacity benefit as the name suggests this benefit is awarded to claiments who are
unable to work for medical (mental or physical) reasons. (Again like me - my doctor has advised me it would be unsafe for me to work at the moment)
'Without my disability allowance I'm left with just £210 incapacity benefit which I get because of my depression"
This is contrary - she is on IB due to depression, but isn't looking for work at the moment, as she's going to have an operation. So which is it? You
can't work? Don't think anyone will employ you as you will need time off?(which is illegal) Or you
wont work?
One assumes she got DLA due to her weight problems possibly affecting her care/mobility. She obviously didn't claim for her depression, one would think - though this isn't always the case - if she is unable to work, then she could have grounds for DLA under mental health grounds.
Anyway back to the foody part;
I can't afford to buy WeightWatchers crisps and cereal bars
While WW chocolate/crisps contain less calories it is not teaching healthy eating. Can she not see that it's not just about replacing what you eat with an identical lower calorie version of the food. It's about the food she's eating in general.
There are reasons why all of us here gained weight in the first place, and I will bet my bottom dollar that you are not eating the exactly the same diet, but with slight changes. I bet that you diet is completely different and whilst you might have the odd choccy and have a pack of quavers or skips instead of a bag of big eat walkers. I feel I'm not articulating myself very well, but hope you get the jist!