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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think reporting someone to dwp for going on holiday is ridiculous?

293 replies

CactusJelly00 · 10/03/2018 07:44

As it doesn't actually mean they're hiding income!
It's happened to someone I know; and she's now in the unfortunate situation of having some of her money stopped while everything is investigated and being treated like a criminal, as someone has reported her for having undeclared income.... because she went on holiday!
Aibu to think this is a ridiculous reason to report someone?
They know who's done it and why, but now she still has to prove herself to the DWP and I just think it's awful that someone's reported her for that.
Would anybody report someone for that? I just can't understand it.

OP posts:
outofmydepth45 · 10/03/2018 07:48

It disgusting that they stop money and investigate. Why when youve paid in all your working life and then become ill/unable to work you live off your savings then when you have nothing you live in poverty and because you budget others report you. Just shit really

DannyLaRuesBestFrock · 10/03/2018 07:51

Probably someone one here. They are always incredulous that people who benefits aren't openly living like oliver twist. Forget the idea that it might be on credit, or paid for by someone else.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 10/03/2018 07:52

All of Mumsnet seems to be reporting each other for benefit fraud sometimes. I don't understand it at all.
I wouldn't report someone for benefit fraud personally even if I knew it was definately going on. My personal threshold for reporting people is if their behaviour is directly harming someone else. So child neglect, domestic abuse, antisocial behaviour.
But this? To put in a report on a totally unfounded suspicion?! That's ridiculous and very spiteful. Angry

Fairylea · 10/03/2018 07:57

That’s awful. I think a lot of people don’t understand that people on benefits can go on holiday by lots of different ways - being given one by a relative, saving very tiny amounts for a very long time, charity grants etc etc. We receive dla for our son and when we were at our lowest income and dh was out of work we were given a holiday grant from a charity called Family Fund to enable us to go to Haven for a week. We were very grateful. Now dh is back in work full time (I am still carer to severely disabled ds) we have donated back to the charity so other families can benefit.

I think a lot of people aren’t happy unless those on benefits are eating beans on toast every night all week and being unable to afford heating or water. Hmm

I think a lot of people don’t realise that being on benefits can happen to anyone. If you’ve never had to rely on them then you’re lucky. That’s all. Not a better person.

Original poster
CactusJelly00 · 10/03/2018 08:01

Yes, I know. I actually paid for the holiday - I live abroad and I paid for her to come and see me for 10 days. So I've had to provide those invoices and such to her so she can prove to them that all she paid for herself was a £20 coach ticket to London Heathrow and she doesn't have a secret account stashed that she paid for it with. It's ridiculous.
I do think some people aren't happy unless people on benefits have no nice things dress in rags and eat beans on toast.

OP posts:
TheHungryDonkey · 10/03/2018 08:04

Of course it its ridiculous thing to do, but there have been loads of posts this week about benefits and holidays. There’s always some jackass who will report in a heartbeat.

We were also fortunate to be given a Family Fund holiday voucher. It’s a wonderful charity. We also had the Merlins Magic Wand one year for Legoland. Doesn’t mean I’m claiming fraudently. And people who are petty and jealous about that are more than welcome to take over from me for 24 hours and see how they get on.

Headofthehive55 · 10/03/2018 08:06

I think it's right that people are reported on if someone has reason to believe there is fraud. But not necessarily for having a holiday.
My SIl works in benefit fraud and it's astounding what people try for. Otherwise there is less money for those in need, and pressure to cut the benefits bill further. So it does directly affect others.

StrongerThanIThought76 · 10/03/2018 08:07

Is she on Jobseekers? I had mine stopped then had to reapply when I told them I was visiting family abroad for 3 days as I would be unavailable for work so not eligible to claim.

Headofthehive55 · 10/03/2018 08:08

I don't think it's fair to stop the benefit whilst it is investigated. Innocent until proven guilty?

SignoraStronza · 10/03/2018 08:17

Actually reporting someone is a bit ...odd. However I do know a family (don't we all) whose children have all had funded 2 year old pre school places, which means they're earning under 16k gross (s/employed tradesman husband). To save up for their dream holiday to Florida next month, they'd have had to be stashing away minimum 350 month, which means they're hardly on the bones of their arses. The DH is ALWAYS on fb advertising/ boasting about jobs he's done, 'employing' 'apprentices' and splashing it on gadgets and nights out. It's a little galling to know that they're on full benefits whilst living cash in hand.

Kingsclerelass · 10/03/2018 08:18

Stopping her benefits is unfair but I can see why people get upset at someone living off the state and then taking their family to Disneyland for a fortnight while they stay at home slogging the 9-5. Not so in this case obviously.

So it sort of depends really.

DannyLaRuesBestFrock · 10/03/2018 08:23

However I do know a family (don't we all)

Nope

To save up for their dream holiday to Florida next month, they'd have had to be stashing away minimum 350 month

Worked it out have you? How bizarre. 🤔

Ylvamoon · 10/03/2018 08:25

It depends on I type of benefit - if you have to be available for work if something turns up than AIBU...
Otherwise put the green eye monster back into the cupboard!

DannyLaRuesBestFrock · 10/03/2018 08:27

I can see why people get upset at someone living off the state and then taking their family to Disneyland for a fortnight while they stay at home slogging the 9-5

Why though? Who really gives a toss about other people going on holiday and how they pay for it. It's nobody elses business. I don't understand. Just go about your own business and live your life as you see fit.

YellowMakesMeSmile · 10/03/2018 08:28

I can see why people reported it too. It's public money and theft if being claimed fraudulently.

A holiday is a luxury and something that shouldn't be affordable on benefits. If she's on JSA then she should have been seeking work. If claiming too ill/sick to work but can go away then it's a bit suspect etc. You can see why people have suspicions.

logicalmum · 10/03/2018 08:34

I wonder if it's things like this that are a part of the reasons why we seem to be heading for a cashless society. It'd be a great way of the government being able to keep tabs on what we're all up to......I hate the thought of the government knowing every aspect of our lives through our spending habits, and for people who are on benefits....the horror of having to justify an "unnecessary" spend. It'd take away the power of being able to "shop a benefit cheat" though, a despicable act imo.

Celticlassie · 10/03/2018 08:34

"A holiday is a luxury and something that shouldn't be affordable on benefits"

Even if someone else pays? Should people on benefits turn down offers of free holidays just to ensure they're sitting at home sufficiently miserable to justify their benefit status? What about their children? Are they allowed holidays? Days out? Toys?

topcat2014 · 10/03/2018 08:34

Working 'cash in hand' is both benefit fraud (in the case mentioned above) and tax fraud - so fairly firmly in the wrong camp.

People doing that deserve to be found out in my view.

Bit different to dobbing someone in on the basis of unfounded suspicions.

TheFirstMrsDV · 10/03/2018 08:34

f claiming too ill/sick to work but can go away then it's a bit suspect etc. You can see why people have suspicions

WHAT?

Disabled people can't go on holiday or they are not properly disabled?

When I think I am becoming too negative about human capacity to be stupid I just turn to MN to confirm it not me, its them.

Etymology23 · 10/03/2018 08:36

Yellow So people who are working are allowed to take time off work, but people looking for work aren’t allowed even a week or two off looking? Could they apply for extra jobs the weeks before and after - would that be enough to satisfy you that they were seeking work? Are they allowed weekends?

jaseyraex · 10/03/2018 08:36

I definitely wouldn't have reported someone for going on holiday. That is ridiculous. You were allowed to go on holiday when claiming JSA, back when I claimed in my late teens anyway. You had the option of job seeking an hour per day on the holiday or signing off then back on when you got back. I guess that's probably not the case anymore, or maybe it's different for different areas. I really don't get why people care enough to report these things, unless it directly affects them somehow. Just get on with your own life!

OliviaStabler · 10/03/2018 08:36

YABU. There are plenty of people who try and defraud the system and want money for nothing. The more people take money they do not have a right to, the less there is for those who really need it.

TheFirstMrsDV · 10/03/2018 08:40

while they stay at home slogging the 9-5

'Slogging'. oh do me a favour.

You hear people slagging off millennials for being snowflakes and I think its largely unfair.
But when it comes to people talking about perfectly normal jobs and working hours I think there are a hell of a lot of snowflakes around, of all ages.

There is always someone claiming to 'slog', 'work their guts out', 'work every hour God sends' etc on these threads.

On questioning you find out they have a 9-5 (or less) job doing something perfectly respectable but hardly on a par with pit work or brain surgery.

I have a job.
I work.
So do the majority.

It doesn't make you better than someone who is claiming benefits. No need to milk it.

Hoppinggreen · 10/03/2018 08:42

It is a bit shitty but it’s because a small minority taking the piss and working cash in hand or similar that means people who are genuine get reported when they’ve done nothing wrong

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 10/03/2018 08:44

Why though? Who really gives a toss about other people going on holiday and how they pay for it. It's nobody elses business.*

A lot of people on here care how other people spend their money especially on holidays. People care if working people pay more than the average and ask for advice on expensive holidays, they call it boasty and goady. I got distroyed for asking why people care so much on one such thread. I just got back people do care and id be nieve to think they didnt. So given tje amount people get upset over how much people get upset about people who arent on benefits spend on their holidays, its not a suprise they get upset about people who are on benefits.

However i agree i'm not entirely sure why any one cares. If some one on benefits was going away id presume a family member paid they saved up or theyd got some sort of charitable donation.