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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Family member committing benefit fraud.

192 replies

Unsure2014 · 10/01/2014 15:35

I have named changed for this post - for obvious reasons. I'm not a troll, been a member for roughly 18 months.

A family member of mine is claiming as a single parent, living in private rented accommodation paid for by Housing Benefit, etc.

Her boyfriend of just over a year has just got a mortgage on a different property close by. She has moved in with both her children but is still claiming benefits as though she is still living alone at her old address. She goes back to the old house regularly (I'm not sure if it's daily) to open curtains, etc.

I don't have a problem with benefit claimants, so this is not a benefit bashing thread, I just think she is being massively out of order.

Her boyfriend earns quite a good wage and I think she is aware that if she told them her new situation all her benefits, except child benefit, would cease.

AIBU to be thinking of reporting her?

First AIBU.

OP posts:
TaraLott · 10/01/2014 17:16

Not my business to Police my family and friends.
As I said earlier, if she is claiming fraudulently then the likelihood is she'll get caught out sooner or later without my interference.

TheVeryBusySpider · 10/01/2014 17:16

She may be entitled to housing benefit for 13 weeks but if she is claiming JSA, ESA or income support then her entitlement would end when she moved in with her partner (as OP states he has a high income). Tax credits would also be affected depending on how much the household income is.

IneedAsockamnesty · 10/01/2014 17:16

handcream

She is returning, possibly daily

SoonToBeSix · 10/01/2014 17:19

Yes I am being serious.

IneedAsockamnesty · 10/01/2014 17:20

thevery

If she is still resident at the property she's claiming for then she's not cohabiting. Unless of course she takes certain steps that show she's moved in.

If she's returning daily or almost daily it's unlikely that she would not be considered to be resident.

Handcream is correct most reports are from friends and family. However most go nowhere at all

handcream · 10/01/2014 17:23

They are also the same people claiming that benefit fraud is very very small. In fact not worth bothering with. I am wondering now if some people have such a sense of entilement that they can make lifestyle chocies such as keeping two homes and seeing what suits best..All being paid for by others of course and its not really fraud..

Original poster
Unsure2014 · 10/01/2014 17:23

MeepMeep - please don't think you know what I will or will not do. I'm not a spiteful person, I would not report her and 'sit back and watch the fallout' jeez, who would do that? Confused

Thank you for everyone's replies. I'm going to attempt to talk to her, tactfully. I'll see if I can get a feel for her attitude towards benefit fraud and see if she would stop if someone was being nosy.

Thanks again for your insights. You've, well the majority, have been a great help.

OP posts:
BuffyxSummers · 10/01/2014 17:23

Does she understand she isn't allowed both? That bit about she didn't think of the fact she'd lose her benefits makes me wonder. Maybe she thinks if she keeps the house she is still allowed the benefits.

handcream · 10/01/2014 17:24

She is NOT resident. She is returning to draw the curtains which indicates she knows she is doing wrong and is trying to pretend that she still lives there. You cannot live in two places at the same time.

zipzap · 10/01/2014 17:26

Why not give yourself a month to see if she is settling down or if it looks like trouble is brewing. Then, if you were going to report her, talk to her and say you'll give her a month to sort it all out before you report her...

That way you're not rushing in, you're being fair to her if she genuinely is undecided but if she is playing the system, then you have an action plan so you don't feel guilty for not reporting her.

Original poster
Unsure2014 · 10/01/2014 17:26

Sockreturning - she isn't a resident at the property she's claiming for. She returns to the house to open the curtains, etc, attempting to keep up the appearance that she's living there.
She eats, showers and sleeps at her partner's house. As do her children.

OP posts:
handcream · 10/01/2014 17:30

It would be very difficult to report your own relative though. I totally understand that element. I like the idea someone said upthread and state that you have heard that the neighbours might talk and there is a real crack down on benefit fraud you have heard.

TBH - I think she knows exactly what she is doing.

Sparklysilversequins · 10/01/2014 17:31

"You've, well, the majority have all been a great help.

So disagreeing with you and giving an alternative opinion is unhelpful?

Sorry OP you should have said in your OP that you only wanted replies from those who agree with you.

handcream · 10/01/2014 17:31

She probably also goes to pick up her post.

Thatisall · 10/01/2014 17:32

I was once reported for benefit fraud and if f**ked me up wondering who it was and then when I found out it was my friend's sister, I didn't feel much better!

I was in a relationship with a man who lived a long way away. He had his own place, job etc and would visit every other weekend or so. We were in discussions about him moving in and he was looking for work in my area. We had informed the powers that be because I was worried.

I wasn't doing anything wrong. He wasn't paying my bills or rent or buying the food shop. We ended up married :-) but felt pressured into making the decision to move in together by this report.
Although no further action was taken (because we'd done nothing wrong and kept them informed) it upset me deeply. If this woman had simply raised her concerns, I probably would have thought she was a nosy cow but at least I could have set her straight and we wouldn't have had to deal with the visit, questions and fear of fines or even imprisonment!!

The reason I share this oP is because on the outside she thought I was getting the best of both worlds and playing the system when actually I just wasn't prepared to jump into living with someone. That was sensible.

Has she told you she only goes back to open curtains? Have you asked why?

I think you should talk to her first.

TheVeryBusySpider · 10/01/2014 17:32

Ok, I see what you mean sockreturningpixie, if she is returning to her flat daily then she's effectively still living there and not with her boyfriend.

From my understanding, as far as JSA/ ESA ect . there are a lot of factors taken into account, not just the number of days someone spends at their partners house, so that's a good point.

IneedAsockamnesty · 10/01/2014 17:34

Op.

If you go and stay elsewhere for several weeks carry on paying your bills at your house leave your furniture there only take stuff as needed return often and know you will be returning have you moved out or are you just a guest at the place you are sleeping at?

handcream · 10/01/2014 17:38

The OP says she goes to the house regularly (not daily) to draw the curtains. Not to live there.

I dont think the OP ever said that she stayed there AT ALL

Sallyingforth · 10/01/2014 17:42

It's hardy surprising that it's friends and family who are reporting benefit fraud - they are the ones most likely to find out about it!
OP it's your duty to report this (apparent) fraud and for her to justify taking the benefits if/when she is challenged. It's not your job to try and interpret the DSS rules.
And the sooner you report it the better, before she's dug herself in too deeply. That way she may get off with a warning instead of a sentence.
Is the boyfriend offering to financially support the children? The ex should be doing that.

foslady · 10/01/2014 17:43

I think it won't be a problem for too long, her neighbours will soon get fed up of the house being empty.......

TheVeryBusySpider · 10/01/2014 17:45

Massive x post!

Good luck OP, for what it's worth I think you are making the right decision in talking to her before taking any action.

IneedAsockamnesty · 10/01/2014 17:48

True It's a total fallacy that there is a rule about how many night you can sleep over at someone's or how many nights they can stay at yours.

And yes it's based on many many other things but if she's honest about the relationship (if she's able to be) its very likely that it would not be one that many people would consider to be a formal cohabiting one, people who believe they are in secure significant relationships don't tend to keep hold of houses that cost them money but serve no purpose.

Cost her money it will as she will have a ct contribution possibly the house will not be under the LHA,utilities will have to be kept up,she can't disconnect services.

And the op has implied its a new thing but not said how new she has time to report changes.

BMW6 · 10/01/2014 17:48

Don't report her - after all, there is plenty of accommodation and money for those who need it. so it doesn't matter if anyone is fiddling the system.

Everyone should always mind their own business, no matter what you are aware of.

That's right isn;t it (to some of you who say YABU) Hmm

Viviennemary · 10/01/2014 17:49

Benefit fraud such as this is theft of public money and should be reported.

kali110 · 10/01/2014 17:51

Op i think your in a hard place. I would feel the same. She should not be doing this at all but i dont know what i would do in your situation.