to disapprove of my friend

[Lilyannapollyanna]

My friend has a teenager who left school last year. Although her child is in college, she also has a job. But she hasn't declared that her DD works to child benefit - the job is cash in hand. I don't begrudge any kid earning a bit of money but isn't this fraud? She's always been one to voice opinions about people on benefits, even slagging off a family member once who sold things over the course of a month (their own possessions) because they were moving into a smaller house - basically saying they were on benefits and the money should have been declared.
AIBU to think that she's being a hypocrite? Tbh I think the main reason she's doing it is so that her ex's maintenance amount doesn't change due to the child earning money. It's not just a Saturday job either she works some evenings and days while not at college - plus extra during holidays.

Just so the OP doesn't get hounded for something she hasn't done, I've reported the personal attacks and troll hunting on this thread.

Calling another poster "thick" is unreasonable irrespective of how long you've been posting imo.

""cash in hand used to mean just that, so employer doesnt pay enic etc, basically a tax/ni dodge, was illegal, does it mean something diff now?""

There was always, two meanings to 'cash in hand', one is perfectly legit and great for someone who doesn't necessarily want permanent work, or wants to fit extra earnings around another job.

Many years ago, as a married woman and outside the limited benefit system, I used to cover an Off Licence, Cleaning and a Indian Restaurant, as sick/maternity leave.

Their busy times were the opposite of my DHs in the building trade.

i had a 5 hour saturday job, a cleaning job in the week on some days and others i collected glasses in my local. happy memories. i always though cash in hand was the dodgy kind though, glad i know diff now or i could have made a right knob of myself IRL

..and there was me thinking Pollyannas were supposed to see the good in everything

Birds you forgot the third meaning

Permanent staff in low paid employment for a small employer

She doesnt have to declare that money to anyone, it doesnt affect her benefits.

I think a teenager in further education working partime to get some extra dosh shows a potential good and hard work ethic. Something perhaps the OP is jealous of ? .

My son did extra paper rounds every morning this week covering for people on holiday for half term perhaps I should declare this and get my CB reduced even further

Okay the OP is wrong but so are the personal attacks, a lot of posters should know better.

Can I also just clarify that selling your own personal possessions is perfectly OK to do if you are a benefit claimant and does not have to be declared.

There haven't been any "personal attacks" and clearly MNHQ agree because the only post that's been removed is one asking the OP if her hands are a bit hairy.

Jesus, I think Mumsnet needs to redefine the word FRIEND.

It certainly doesn't have the same meaning as it used to, reading some of the threads on here lately.

I think calling someone 'thicko' is fairly personal.

I had a part-time job at school, didn't affect child benefit.

thick is as thick does

< coins new phrase >

I think "thicko" is a very restrained response, tbh

Your really not listening are you?! Your friend is entitled to claim child benefit irrespective of how much her DD earns, as long as DD is in full time education.

Your the one being hypocritical because you don't like what your friend says about benefits.

you do realise being paid in cash doesn't mean that it's what people call "cash in hand" ie slightly dodgy. I spent my teenage years working as a waitress for three football clubs, (different seasons, different schedules home/away games) I know I was on their payroll, (not under the radar cash in hand) still got paid in cash! My point is just cos she gets paid in cash doesn't mean it's dodgy! You don't pay tax or NI as a student!

Your determined to think badly of this friend. You know what tell her what you think cos she'd be better off without you!

I've reported some of the posts on here for the personal attacks. Makes mumsnet a really unpleasant place to be sometimes.

Oh come on!

Your friend has every right to be proud of her daughter - going to college AND earning some money??? Can't you be pleased for your friend that she's done such an excellent job in raising her daughter???

Do you understand irony? You're accusing people on here of bullying and being judgemental, yet YOU are looking for ways to do down a hard-working young woman, just for the hell of it...

Karma will get you in the end I'm sure.

Please don't report her. The fact is her DD is industrious and proving she values hard work and it's rewards.
There is so much " big time" benefit fraud out there that goes unnoticed ( or too much like hard work to investigate) that this family would be made an easy target.
I doubt her earning would affect any benefits, so chill out and cut these people some slack.

I doubt the OP will be back, unless in the form of a namechanged sock puppet bleating about "personal attacks".

Wow, with friends like you, OP who needs enemies?

I like the word thicko.

Problem is I can't pronounce my th sounds, so it comes out as ficko :(

If the daughter is in college, she is still in education...you can get CB up to age 19 if in full time education, regardless of whether the child does any work. The CB is her mother's, the work money is the daughter's!

"ficko" is even better

YANBU OP. Your friend is a hypocrite.