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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:
Cattreesea · 20/02/2025 09:55

Right...

If this is a real post (which is debatable...) the only advice is keep your nose out of other people's lives.

PIP is a very difficult benefit to qualify for and is only given if people provide a lot of medical evidence to back up their claim. The DWP then follows up by contacting people's GP and/or consultant and a face to face assessment.

It is not given simply because people write something in a form.

Jaehee · 20/02/2025 09:54

Are you sure he’s not just saying these things because he’s embarrassed about his issues?

Had he always boasted about things and exaggerated?

I wouldn’t report him because it sounds like he’s making it up, and from how you’ve described him he doesn’t sound altogether well.

yoddle · 20/02/2025 09:48

Did he not have to provide medical evidence?

Coconutter24 · 20/02/2025 09:47

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 what exactly is your advice? It comes across like you’re saying because he isn’t exactly rolling in it to leave him to continue to fraudulently claim money he isn’t entitled to?

Ryeman · 20/02/2025 09:45

I'm surprised because PIP is notoriously difficult to claim, even for those with genuine disabilities. This would really rile me too op. Maybe if he got a job and had some purpose to his life then he'd be less depressed? Can you talk to him instead or reporting, and maybe pretend you've heard fraud investigations are on the rise and he should consider his dishonesty?

CeeJay81 · 20/02/2025 09:45

JandamiHash · 20/02/2025 09:41

Given how difficult it is to get PIP I’m amazed these lies haven’t already been uncovered

This. Pip needs medical evidence from a doc/specialist etc. Has he lied to them too? Im not sure how, if he is saying he has physical issues. If they haven't uncovered him yet, they will when he gets reassessed surely. Pup is often reassess after a few years unless you have a very serious condition.

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 20/02/2025 09:44

As someone who does actually need help and had to jump (if I could jump!) through hoops to get it, people claiming for PIP by lying turns my stomach.
Sadly there are more social media pages now telling people how to claim by lying.
My claim was done in person, as was my tribunal appeal which was awful.
Take no notice of the bragging or that it’s great and why would suckers work? Lots of people who get PIP at different levels work.
His mental health may be ‘at risk’ if you report him, but he shouldn’t be getting funded for physical care which he is able to do himself. It’s disgraceful.

Coffeeishot · 20/02/2025 09:44

Pip isn't a benefit that is just thrown at people and your "cousin" has been awarded it for his medical conditions, by the time you typed out your lengthy post you could have emailed DWP to report your perceived benefit fraudbut you decided to talk about your "cousin" on the Internet because you are "worried" about their mental health. 🙄

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

JandamiHash · 20/02/2025 09:41

Given how difficult it is to get PIP I’m amazed these lies haven’t already been uncovered

Bonjovispyjamas · 20/02/2025 09:41

I absolutely would report him, can't stand benefit cheats who live off the hard working tax payer.

XWKD · 20/02/2025 09:39

Whether he boasts about it or not shouldn't affect your decision. The crime is fraudulently claiming benefits, and that should be the only consideration.

SeanMean · 20/02/2025 09:38

I would report. He sounds awful.