BBS, do you happen to know if the State social assistance office would insist someone sell their gently used leather couch in favour of a cloth one? It would be interesting to know where they draw the line. Such a thing in comparable condition would net far more money than your guitar. But if a leather couch doesn't have to be traded in on something cheaper, I'd start to suspect the State of systematic or bureaucratic discrimination on the basis of your profession. Would a mechanic have to sell their tools if there wasn't an immediate job opening in that capacity? The State's behaviour really has the odor of bureaucrats run amok, HOWever, arguing with those who have dug in their heels--especially when they hold the purse strings--is a losing proposition, innit.