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AIBU?

Benefit fraud?

11 replies

helpnotsosure · 23/04/2018 19:11

Ok so I have saw a lot of these posts lately so I'm sorry if you're sick of them but...

I have a friend who lives with her son, she claims benefits as a single parent and lives in a HA house. She has tried to get a job but no luck as of yet.

She has a partner (her sons father). He, however, doesn't live with her and lives with a family member instead. He was working until about a year ago when he was made redundant so now claims JSA. As far as I can see, it's also trying very hard for a job. He doesn't support his son financially as he receives little money.

They see each other everyday, spend a lot of time together etc.

Is she committing benefit fraud or not? She is claiming as a single parent though technically she isn't, but financially she is if that makes sense?

I don't think I could continue to be friends with someone who was knowingly cheating the system but I don't want to make any irrational decisions if I have my wires crossed. Thanks.

Since she is

OP posts:
helpnotsosure · 23/04/2018 19:12

Ignore "since she is" not sure why that's there Confused

OP posts:
SlurplePurple · 23/04/2018 19:13

No if he isn’t contributing financially to her household she is doing nothing wrong.

whatnextfred · 23/04/2018 19:13

She's not breaking any law or committing any fraud

MotherforkingShirtballs · 23/04/2018 19:14

They're not living together, they have seperate households and seperate finances, of course she can claim as a single person. Spending time together is irrelevant, they have a child together and it's probably good for him that they get along.

Phosphorus · 23/04/2018 19:14

They are not doing anything remotely fraudulent.

You sound rather unpleasant.

Unless this is a reverse, in which case you are just dull and patronising.

dementedpixie · 23/04/2018 19:16

If they aren't living together and he isn't helping financially why on earth would you think they were committing benefit fraud??!!

OurMiracle1106 · 23/04/2018 19:17

Nope. For benefit purposes you are a single person unless you are living with your partner: doesn’t matter how much time you spend together, how many kids you have together or whether you are “in a relationship”

Smeddum · 23/04/2018 19:19

Lone parent doesn’t mean no relationship, it means the claimant is living alone (with child/children) and not in a relationship with another adult who is financially contributing to the household. The situation you describe isn’t benefit fraud.

DannyLaRuesBestFrock · 23/04/2018 19:24

So if you are claiming single person benefits, you are not allowed to date anyone. Ever. FPMSL. Are you for real?

Mookie81 · 23/04/2018 19:26

Just f off.
Sick to death of these snide bullying threads.
People need to mind their own bloody business.

bigmouthstrikesagain · 23/04/2018 19:28

Actually as the father he could be "contributing" financially in child maintenance and that would still not mean she was committing benefit fraud - child maintenance is disregarded for means tested benefits. As previously stated you can have a relationship, the key issue is if the father is living with them and has no other home - in this case it seems clear he is maintaining a separate residence. Hope that clears it up.

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