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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not sure that this is ok? Benefits related AIBU

65 replies

Secrets2tell · 15/01/2017 15:55

I have name changed as my previous username has identifying posts.

So my cousin runs her own business selling personalised goods. She claims housing benefit due to a low income. Background info so I don't drip feed...she went through a messy divorce and it was a hard time for her and started from scratch and so I am possibly being over worried and should leave her to get on with it.

Today she showed me a picture of her new unit filled with stock. I commented that she had come so far in 18 months from starting a new business and claiming HB and she replied that she was still struggling financially and claiming HB as she still had a low income. She did rather well over Christmas and has reinvested her profits in stock and rent on the unit.

So she is spending profit on stock to build the business while claiming a low income. I told her I think she will get in trouble but she said it was fine.

AIBU to think that this could land her in a lot of trouble?

OP posts:
Gspain · 15/01/2017 15:57

Yes. If found out she could be in big trouble with the benefits folk and tax folk.

NotStoppedAllDay · 15/01/2017 15:57

Yes I think it will

What else is she claiming?

KungFuPandaWorksOut16 · 15/01/2017 15:58

Is she even declaring any of the income? Because if not, yes she will get into trouble.

IAmAPaleontologist · 15/01/2017 15:59

I think she is very sensible and that investing in the business, if it is showing gradual increase in profits, is the fastest way to coming off benefits.
however I have no idea of the legalities of it. presumably she draws a low salary from the business. I'm not sure what would be considered taking the pics and what other assets are considered for benefits.

gamerchick · 15/01/2017 15:59

Do you want to report her just to be sure?

RoundTheBend · 15/01/2017 16:00

Is she a limited company? If so, the money she is investing is not hers, it belongs to the Company. She may only be able to pay herself a very small wage and so is therefore not deceiving anyone.

Wtfdoipick · 15/01/2017 16:02

The unit and stock are legitimate business expenses. She isn't doing anything wrong.

BarbaraofSeville · 15/01/2017 16:04

If she is a sole trader her wages are her profit. Her profit is her sales less expenses and I'm sure that within reason it is legitimate to claim stock and rent as expenses, eg a counting a years worth of rent would be fine but not 10 years for example. A years worth of stock would also be fine as would a bit more, especially if she can get larger quantities cheaper or has unpredictable sales for example.

Original poster
Secrets2tell · 15/01/2017 16:06

Not a case of wanting to report her. She said that she sends the HB details of her wages by sending in profit and loss sheets and If it was a problem they would query it so she is being truthful with them and AFIK not committing fraud. I just "think" someone has made a mistake.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 15/01/2017 16:07

I commented that she had come so far in 18 months from starting a new business and claiming HB

Oh my fucking God. Tell me you did not say that!? Shock

Could you not just have commented that she's doing really well?

Original poster
Secrets2tell · 15/01/2017 16:08

Thank you for confirming that for me. I worry too much for my own good sometimes Smile

OP posts:
Looneytune253 · 15/01/2017 16:08

To be fair though, if she's ploughing the money back into the business her profit will still be a low income so it doesn't seem like she's doing anything wrong? As long as she's declaring everything.

BratFarrarsPony · 15/01/2017 16:09

in this situation, HB is claimed on the last year's figures.
If I were you I would butt out.

Lucked · 15/01/2017 16:10

I think what she is doing is legitimate, otherwise company's could never grow.

Original poster
Secrets2tell · 15/01/2017 16:10

Worra not in so many words. We sat together with her in tears at the council doing the original claim and I referenced the day not the reason we were there.

OP posts:
TheTantrumCometh · 15/01/2017 16:10

If she is declaring everything then no, she won't be in trouble for it. They have the facts and figures and know the thresholds for amounts etc.

If she's not declaring then yes, she'll be in the shit

AndNowItsSeven · 15/01/2017 16:10

She is doing nothing wrong. Can't you just be proud of her achievements?

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 15/01/2017 16:12

She will be asked to supply her annual accounts (whether formally prepared or Self Cert) to the local Council at set intervals.

So long as her accounts are honest & accurate, she has nothing to worry about. If the Council - or HMRC for tax credits - decide that she is no longer entitled to benefits, they will inform her.

She seems to be doing well in her new business, hopefully she will be on a decent earned income within the next year and have no further need for benefits at all.

StereophonicallyChallenged · 15/01/2017 16:13

Her assessment for hb etc will be based on her annual taxable profit, although I think there is a certain level of assumed profit, ie NMW x however many hours per week she is required or allowed to work.

Buying stock and renting a unit are perfectly legitimate business expenses for anyone Confused why wouldn't they be?

WorraLiberty · 15/01/2017 16:13

Not in so many words? Confused

You said I commented that she had come so far in 18 months from starting a new business and claiming HB.

So I just took that to be true.

HelenaGWells · 15/01/2017 16:13

There is a transition period if you are self employed where you move from the income support benefits system over to the working tax credits system but it is different depending on individual circumstances. There can be a period where you are earning and claiming if your wages are low. As long as she is declaring her income then she's absolutely fine.

Original poster
Secrets2tell · 15/01/2017 16:15

Of course I am proud of her. Don't confuse my concern with jealousy ANIS Hmm

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 15/01/2017 16:16

You're not worried, you're being a busybody. Butt out. She's an adult. Comments about her being on benefits are blow the belt.

januarybooze · 15/01/2017 16:17

What's your point, Worra?

Original poster
Secrets2tell · 15/01/2017 16:23

Expat i am happy to be a busybody if it ensures that she does not lose everything through a mistake over benefits. The last two years have been horrendous for her and I would not wish it on my worse enemy. I am happy to see that this is not the case and she will be just fine.

OP posts: