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Original poster

Should I report my cousin's benefit fraud?

613 replies

GreatAmberSnake · 20/02/2025 09:35

Hi everyone - I'm having a bit of a moral dilemma and looking to get everyone's opinions.

My M34 cousin doesn't work, he claims PIP. I'm not that familiar with how it works but he says he's on the highest level available, and there's even talk of him getting given a car. He openly boasts at every opportunity about the extreme exaggerations and outright lies he put on his PIP application, and calls me and other members of the family idiots for working when we could just get our money from PIP like he does.

If they investigated him they would easily find that some of his lies don't add up. I believe he genuinely does have depression and anxiety, but he has no physical issues. He said he put things like his partner needs to dress him in the morning (he split from his partner a couple of years ago), needs to wear velcro shoes as he can't tie laces etc. A home visit would show up some of his lies, and a call to the school (he's a weekend Dad but sometimes picks up/drops off his sons) or the Police (he's been arrested for drug offences a couple of times) would be further proof.

The main thing stopping me from reporting him is his depression. He has attempted suicide on at least one occasion, and I fear that a potential prison sentence for fraud could send him into a spiral. Even if no-one found out it was me, I really don't want that on my conscience.

If he didn't boast all the time I would just ignore it, it's not like it affects me directly, but it just winds me up every time he goes on about. Grrrr!! I do try to minimise contact with him but sometimes it's easier said than done. If he gets this car I think he'll become even more unbearable 😡

Help! What would you do?

OP posts:
Vaxtable · 20/02/2025 11:24

I have reported in the past and would report in this case. It’s not to say he won’t get something, but outright lying to get more is not on

LBFseBrom · 20/02/2025 11:23

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 20/02/2025 10:29

Yabu

He's probably boasting to make himself feel better

I'd tell him to stop it or I'd be reporting him, but wouldn't actually do it, sorry

There are worse crimes

I agree. Advise him not to talk about it so much, it's personal. He won't be given PIP for nothing.

Your cousin probably thought he was speaking to someone confidentially, who understood him. He's your cousin for goodness sakes, you do not grass up relatives unless they are violent criminals. Your cousin is no serial killer.

WaltzingWaters · 20/02/2025 11:22

Absolutely report.

Anonforthis58 · 20/02/2025 11:21

whatonearthisgoingonnow · 20/02/2025 10:28

You are legally obligated to report or you're incriminated as well.

OMG if only you knew how stupid (and untrue!) your comment is 😂😂😂😂

Jaehee · 20/02/2025 11:21

There is a real push at the moment to get people frothing about benefits claimants, even more so than usual. It’s all over here and it’s constantly in the news. I wonder why that could be? Could it be to do with Liz Kendall’s proposed cuts to disability benefits? Confused

They’ve come for the farmers, they’ve come for the employers, they’ve come for the elderly, and now they’re coming for the disabled. Who’s next?

I’m so glad I spoilt my ballot instead of voting for this clusterfuck of a party. I was always a Labour supporter but they are no longer recognisable to me.

Butterfly292828 · 20/02/2025 11:20

I know of someone who’s get the old DLA for bi-polar but they haven’t had an episode for 20 yrs but still claim it. I think it’s disgusting! Full time teacher too. ( I no longer speak to them because I told them so)

Fencehedge · 20/02/2025 11:19

Well you don't have to choose to spend time with the crowing, patronising fraudster, for a start.

On balance, yes I'd report him to let them know he is a skilled pathological liar who is boasting of defrauding the system.

You are not responsible for his mental health and he clearly cares not about yours..

Toddlerhelpplease123 · 20/02/2025 11:19

Hmm I don’t know much about pip at all but surely if your that level which warrants the medical evidence, have previously tried to commit suicide etc. then he’s pretty unwell or has the tendency to become so drastically.

I would leave it. I have had severe mental illness before; sectioned and acute. Im fine now. But I don’t pretend to understand depression at all. It seems quite a bad disease for want of a better word.

Floralnomad · 20/02/2025 11:12

I would report and then go no contact so you don’t have to listen to him . I will also say that whilst I agree that a lot of people who deserve PIP have difficulty getting it I personally know of 2 people who definitely abuse the system by exaggerating .

ilovesooty · 20/02/2025 11:10

I didn't expect this many replies

Really?

You are aware that PIP is not an out of work benefit and that a motability car comes out of the mobility award?

Butchyrestingface · 20/02/2025 11:10

I wouldn't report him. I just wouldn't have anything to do with him.

XWKD · 20/02/2025 11:03

whatonearthisgoingonnow · 20/02/2025 10:28

You are legally obligated to report or you're incriminated as well.

Nonsense.

onwardsup4 · 20/02/2025 11:02

whatonearthisgoingonnow · 20/02/2025 10:28

You are legally obligated to report or you're incriminated as well.

Don't be ridiculous. How can anyone be sure of others medical information. Please stop posting such BS

ButIToldYouSoooo · 20/02/2025 11:02

It's people like the OP's cousin that cause so many people to look at PIP recipients sceptically when symptoms 'can' be faked or aren't physical.

If you can document it point by point, including the bragging about the lying, yes, you should report him.

EasternStandard · 20/02/2025 11:01

I'd just leave him tbh especially since you mention he's attempted to take his life

Cattreesea · 20/02/2025 11:01

@whatonearthisgoingonnow · Today 10:28
You are legally obligated to report or you're incriminated as well.

That's incorrect. Don't post nonsense like this.

Back to you OP: I have already commented but I am not sure why you would choose to go after someone you are related to who has tried to take his own life and has long term mental health issues. Strange values...

LadyKenya · 20/02/2025 10:59

I have no doubt that he has depression and other mental health issues so I'm sure he qualifies for some PIP, but I'm confident he shouldn't be getting the level he gets now.

He would have been assessed by people who would have more insight into his condition than you obviously have. He would have to have medical evidence to support what he would have put on his claim form. They do not just take a person's word for it, regardless of what the general public's perception of the process is. I have yet to meet a person in real life who has said that the process is easy, and that they were given money, just on their say so, without any proof.

NoSoupForU · 20/02/2025 10:53

If he's attempted suicide at least once then his mental health isn't exactly all tickety boo. It isnt something I'd be involving myself in. And if I disliked someone as you appear to here I'd keep my distance.

Original poster
GreatAmberSnake · 20/02/2025 10:53

Thank you everyone, I didn't expect this many replies.

Interesting to see the mix of people saying it's virtually impossible to make a false/exaggerated claim, and others saying it's very easy.

To those calling me out saying the story isn't true or things don't add up - it is completely true, but I'm not particularly close to my cousin (to be honest I can't stand him, which is probably obvious from my post) so I only know what he's chosen to share. Which is just the bits he feels are worth boasting about. I have no idea what proof he had to give.

I have no doubt that he has depression and other mental health issues so I'm sure he qualifies for some PIP, but I'm confident he shouldn't be getting the level he gets now.

I've got a pretty mixed range of responses, but I'm leaning towards keeping my nose out. I'll just need to practice my "smile politely, pretend I'm not seething inside" face for next time I see him 😂

OP posts:
handsdownthebest · 20/02/2025 10:51

Katemax82 · 20/02/2025 09:43

Pip is about £737 a month. He won't be given a car he will have to pay £300 of the pip (the motability element) towards it. Yes he sounds awful but I bet he's not exactly rolling in it

So that’s ok then 🤔

LadyKenya · 20/02/2025 10:47

I hate disabled people not getting what they deserve due to the awfulness of the system and chancers.

This!

dsmsrc · 20/02/2025 10:47

GreatAmberSnake · 20/02/2025 09:35

Hi everyone - I'm having a bit of a moral dilemma and looking to get everyone's opinions.

My M34 cousin doesn't work, he claims PIP. I'm not that familiar with how it works but he says he's on the highest level available, and there's even talk of him getting given a car. He openly boasts at every opportunity about the extreme exaggerations and outright lies he put on his PIP application, and calls me and other members of the family idiots for working when we could just get our money from PIP like he does.

If they investigated him they would easily find that some of his lies don't add up. I believe he genuinely does have depression and anxiety, but he has no physical issues. He said he put things like his partner needs to dress him in the morning (he split from his partner a couple of years ago), needs to wear velcro shoes as he can't tie laces etc. A home visit would show up some of his lies, and a call to the school (he's a weekend Dad but sometimes picks up/drops off his sons) or the Police (he's been arrested for drug offences a couple of times) would be further proof.

The main thing stopping me from reporting him is his depression. He has attempted suicide on at least one occasion, and I fear that a potential prison sentence for fraud could send him into a spiral. Even if no-one found out it was me, I really don't want that on my conscience.

If he didn't boast all the time I would just ignore it, it's not like it affects me directly, but it just winds me up every time he goes on about. Grrrr!! I do try to minimise contact with him but sometimes it's easier said than done. If he gets this car I think he'll become even more unbearable 😡

Help! What would you do?

Hiya I think he gets it for a mental health condition. Have you thought he may put on a front to other ppl and boasts without telling them the real reason he claims.
On the hand if this is true and you see this person every day and see how he lives.
Report if his lieing about his condition but please before you report get all proof of him lieing

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 20/02/2025 10:46

This is partly why the country is in the state its in. To be quite blunt, he's probably depressed because he doesn't work ... no purpose in life.
I've a friend who has successfully claimed PIP for her drug addict son, who does work on and off.
Yes, I would as I'm sick.of paying for lazy buggers!

dottydodah · 20/02/2025 10:45

Firstly I would not wish to report a family member ,It seems cruel to me.Secondly PIP is difficult to obtain .If you have a good job why do you feel you need to report someone who is obv less able to cope than you?

x2boys · 20/02/2025 10:42

Themagicfarawaytreeismyfav · 20/02/2025 10:36

Op you will undoubtedly get the posters on here telling you that PIP is really hard to claim and he couldn't possibly be committing benefit fraud ( it really isnt... my dc has it and has never provided any evidence or been checked). But the fact is that people like this are taking valuable resources from others who actually deserve it! Maybe having a job would even help his mental health.

I find thst hard to beleive my son gets the highest rates of DLA and I had ti go to tribunal to them ( he was on a lower award) this is despite him being severely autistic non verbal, in a special school etc etc.