AIBU to be incensed at the inequalities in the benefit system? (long sorry)

[Libran70]

I read MN every day and think how awful it is that so many people are struggling to cope on inadequate benefits and of the nit picking interviews they have to go through to get anything extra. And then there's ASOS causing so much upset and forcing disabled people to justify their existence.

I know there is a very small minority who play the system but they seem to be the only ones we ever hear about. So many people are struggling, no one should have to go to a food bank to feed their children.

However, there are cases where the money could be shuffled around and aimed at those really struggling.

My cousin is autistic and she lives in a wonderful complex within the community. She has a flat (bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom) and there is a care worker on call 24/7. SWs call daily to help her prepare meals, do her washing, take her shopping and so on. She also has an active social life, organised by SS and a local charity. She also has a supported job washing up in an old people's home close by. She sees her remaining parent every weekend and they go on holiday together. She pays for her own holidays and some of the care from her allowances.

This really is an example of excellent care. She was recently reassessed and she is entitled to every penny she gets in allowances and benefits.

However, she has a five figure amount of money in savings. All of this is saved from her benefits and allowances. I hope she has a long life ahead of her but when she dies this money and a lot more, I guess, will go to her family.

AIBU in thinking that this would not be fair? And AIBU in thinking she is getting far too much (at the moment) and there are people out there who need it more?

Just for the record I also know someone who claims fraudulently...

It maybe be difficult but it is by no means impossible to do.

Fucking hell, and here they all come, out of the woodwork.
I know two people that fiddle their taxes. Well knew. I reported them.

Just for the record I don't know anyone who claims fraudulently
However, I know loads and loads of people on the bones of their arses caring for ill and disabled loved ones, who struggle to get the correct dla award because they don't understand the forms and who find it impossible to get an assessment off social services.

Yeah, unfortunately people fiddle taxes too.

The human race can be shit.

Well I was on this thread earlier but it was prior to this discussion. I just clicked on just now and read the last couple of pages and think that it does happen more often than what people think. The guy I know has fraudulently claimed benefits for years and years. This is just the latest in a long line.

The human race can be shit.

Yeah - we meet a fair few of them on here.

Ditto Owllady

So fecking well REPORT them then! Why sit here whinging that they are fraudulently claiming if you are prepared to do fuck all about it!

Or is it because you are actually not sure? But you think they are claiming fraudulently?

Which is it? Because if I knew someone was deliberately defrauding the system in this way I would report it.

Any evidence IS difficult to get, it took 5 years for my sons autism to be diagnosed and I certainly did not get DLA beforehand,

The only people I know on the fiddle around my area are the ones that started their own small very successful- businesses and omitted to inform HMRC. Also if HMRC investigated all those on said estate claiming to be single working parents and wondered how they ever sorted childcare because the 'non resident' partner actually looks after them whilst they are at work. They would have an absolute field day. They're BOTH as bad as others that fiddle IMO.

I have reported this thread to MNHQ as it seems an odd first thread and ticks a lot of goady boxes and Op seems to be a bit vague on roles and the HUGE amounts of money her cousin is receiving . Op, please feel to tell me I am incorrect. I would interested to know what benefits your cousin does actually receive.

Only ticks one box to me Porto. It's YET ANOTHER lets decide who the worthy are thread.

I'm not moaning. I was just telling you a fact.

Fraud is so low because it would involve pulling the wool consistently over the GPs eyes, making sure there are absolutely no inconsistencies in the answers to the 40 page form the sections of which are capable of cross referencing, making sure the subsequent renewals are consistent with the evolution of the condition, fooling the professional people who give written statements to accompany the DLA form , having explanations as to why clinical assessments, scans, x rays , blood tests, medical appointments, surgical investigations, psychological assessments etc do not match the statements given, fooling the specialist hospital teams, fooling the DWP medical assessors, standing up to a robust examination of the evidence supporting your case when the neighbours shop you etc etc .,

I agree with Portofino.

I wonder how many people are entitled to certain benefits and don't claim them either, I bet there are loads, either through ignorance or choice
I wonder how many people struggle along in poverty because they don't have the capabilities to fight the system
If you really think it's that easy to get care for someone who is severely disabled, do look into further, read evidence on the matter. Read carers uk. Read voluntary organisation and charity reports. Then people might listen if you put forward an informed debate rather than saying I know someone etc

I know someone too and I know so and so
Oh and you know I know him! And I know a woman who...

Indeed Portofino they seem to be a string of them at the moment. must be an article coming up somewhere. Also OP. I just wanted to say I'm signatory on my DMs account. I wouldnt dream of discussing her finances in this much detail on an internet forum.

Owllady - I'm not interested in debating the matter with you. I am telling you that I along with apparently several others do know as a fact that someone fraudulently claims.

It isn't up for debate, it is a fact end of story.

How can it be a fact if investigations into those reported do nit face investigation and criminal charges?

As no-one is suggesting the Op's cousin is fraudulently claiming, isn't all this talk of false claims de-railing the thread a little?

Maybe she is pretending, I know someone who pretended once

Because she's so rich with all the benefits Owl?

Did I say he had been reported?

Wilson golden rule of all benefit related threads...must always descend into talk of fraud, because everyone knows that benefits claimant = fraudster.

Yes Wilson, it was her life long ambition to go and live in adult sheltered housing with a full time carer, despite the fact she got 12 a* and is capable of digging a big hole in her back yard

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fact