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

[CactusJelly00]

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.

It should be pretty easy to sort out Cactus as you have the financial trail to prove you paid.

Seems whatever knob reported had a jealousy issue. Your poor friend.

DH’s parents are very generously paying for a holiday in centre parks for all 3 of their children and their families for the second year in a row. (8 adults and 4 children).

Out of the 3 families one is on benefits, one has a lot of cash (not far off a million in savings/ several properties/ kids at private school etc) and the other is making enough cash to get by but not necessarily enough to afford expensive holidays every year.

They do this because they enjoy having everyone together and know with failing health it could well be the last year they have all their children and grandchildren all in the same place at once. They would be horrified to see the family who are on benefits under investigation because of the holiday.

Also DD’s School gives out free holidays each year (high FSM area). It’s a week in a caravan park over the Easter holidays, they provide accommodation and transport. Anyone with children in the school can apply (benefits or not) and I’m sure they have 3 or 4 caravans avalible. They do this every year as they think everyone should get the chance of a holiday, benefits or not.

Some people are too quick to shout ‘benefit fraud’ without having all the facts. Yes some people do take the piss but the vast majority do not.

"'Slogging'. oh do me a favour."

Well said *MrsD". Some people make such a song and dance about their work ethic.
I've been in a work place with these guys that "have always worked" and "never claimed anything". They spend as much time sloping off for a cigarette and pissing about on Facebook as I do!

It should be pretty easy to sort out Cactus as you have the financial trail to prove you paid

It should be. Unfortunately the DWP will probably turn it into an 8-wk investigation. They'll hope that in the meantime, any claim becomes too difficult and the OP's friend gives up even trying to claim.

I apply for holidays on behalf of families with life limited/terminally ill children.
Most are on benefits.

I go to charity with my hand out on behalf of these families. Just so they can get a week at a holiday park with their child while they can.

People are jealous that they 'don't work' and get a 'free holiday'

Because people can be arses.

I'd never report anyone. I didn't think it was illegal for those on benefits to go on holiday. If shes gone on a weeks holiday to Wales . She could have saved hard and may not have any vices such as alchol and cigarettes.

However if shes gone on a world cruise when many hard working people can't afford to do so, then yes that is a liberty, and I can understand people being peeved.
I would be myself. I wouldn't go clactailing the the DWP, though. Is that still a thing were if you dob someone in you get paid.

Why though? Who really gives a toss about other people going on holiday and how they pay for it.

Well I do if a family is living off the state and swanning off on a dream holiday to Florida because there's a possibility that I've paid for it!!!

I don't mind paying taxes into the system to be used to fund essentials for those who need it, ie food, shelter etc but a holiday to Florida is not an essential so why should the taxpayer foot the cost?

If she's on JSA then she should have been seeking work.

Yes because those on JSA should be "seeking work" 24hrs a day 365 days a year, just like working people work 24hrs a day 365 days a week right?

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

it's people like you who make my disabled FIL scared to leave the house for fear of someone "grassing him up" - we pay to take PIL on holiday with us (and by holiday I mean camping in the U.K.) but FIL is on edge the whole time because he feels like he shouldn't be there if he's disabled on benefits

My son was on JSA for a while last year, you can actually fill in a form and apply for 2 weeks away as you can't sign on. His advisor was amazing! We were in this country so he was told 'buy a local paper and read the jobs available, then you're available for work'.

Sometimes people are just nice.

Like the OP toward her friend. Hope the investigation doesn't drag on OP xx

However if shes gone on a world cruise when many hard working people can't afford to do so, then yes that is a liberty, and I can understand people being peeved.

People who live solely on benefits cannot afford world cruises paid for with their benefit money. Another fucking myth gobbled up by idiots who live their life by measuring what they haven't got instead of what they have. What a miserable and petty existence they must live.

I do think some people aren't happy unless people on benefits have no nice things dress in rags and eat beans on toast.

This is exactly the attitude I see and it is awful, so depressing and superior.

My friends daughter has been living with her widowed mother for about five years.
The mother pays single occupancy council tax. Her daughter refuses to pay the exrra 25% council tax. It really winds me up but I would never report it.

I've known a couple of people who were reported for going on holiday when on benefits and the report was never made out of concern for the taxpayer, it was always petty spite.

One of them was my sister, who was reported by my other sister. She wasn't actually on holiday, she had gone to visit a friend to see if she could find work in her area. It took weeks to sort out.

I think for he longer-term unemployed it would be fair to allow a few days holiday a year, which could be cleared in advance. That would cut right down on the malicious reports, because the DWP would already be aware of the holiday. Which in any case would probably be a visit to family in many cases, or at best a few days in a caravan park (not knocking caravan holidays at all, I take them and enjoy them!).

The thing that makes me most uncomfortable about the reporting is that it always seems to be used to win a dispute about something else entirely. Often neighbours falling out, family members feeling slighted, and wanting to hit out however they can. It's the spite that concerns me.

My son was on JSA for a while last year, you can actually fill in a form and apply for 2 weeks away as you can't sign on.

Ah, I didn't realise there was actually a form for this. Souns unusually sensible!

I would never report, because the amount evaded in tax is approximately 15x benefit "fraud". Most fraud is actually caused by a temporary change in circumstances, and the claimant not wanting to stop and restart a claim.

Besides, the national atmosphere of suspicion, envy and ill will it generates is disgusting. It's further whipped up by the media, who demonise the poor and sick for profit. I earn a lot of money for a lot of hours and I'd rather my taxes went to overpaying someone having a shit time, than Rees-Mogg's parliamentary expenses.

I don't mind paying taxes into the system to be used to fund essentials for those who need it, ie food, shelter etc but a holiday to Florida is not an essential so why should the taxpayer foot the cost?

So where do you stand on the Royal Family? The biggest benefit scroungers on the planet?

Please. Do you realise how many people fiddling benefits actually costs the system? It is a miniscule amount of money.

I can’t see how anyone on benefits affords this mythical trip to Florida. I can’t even afford the bloody passports.

" If she's on JSA then she should have been seeking work. "

You can look for work from anywhere. It's stupid that the rules let a job seeker go anywhere in the Uk, but nowhere abroad while claiming.

You are allowed to claim contributions-based JSA when you have savings so you could go on holiday paid for with your declared savings.

Shame, DWP have probably wiped out the enjoyment and relaxation benefit your friend got from having a break

'Why should someone not working hard get more than me?'

I think this about the fucking royal family, who just got a pay rise from the government, all the time!

I thought they only stopped your money if they had fairly solid proof. I could be wrong. My neighbour was reported for working (she wasn't) but they didn't stop her money whilst they investigated.

there is this rhetoric that we have no money as a country when rich people avoid billions in tax through legal loopholes

when large companies do not pay proper tax

but somehow everone seems to believe that its the people on benefits using scarce resources. THE RESOURCES WOULDN'T BE SCARCE IF THE RICH PEOPLE WHO SHOULD PAY TAX PAID IT.

invoking godwins but...i am alarmed at the 'turn in your neighbour / family' mentality of wartime germany.

its the tunnel vision of petty minded people blaming those in a similar situation as them becuase they have a car or they have a holiday - the jealousy and small mindedness of it all is striking.

there is a bigger picture, you are being fucked by those leading your country not your neighbours. widen your vision

The disgusting thing is that you are considered guilty until proven innocent.

My friends daughter has been living with her widowed mother for about five years.
The mother pays single occupancy council tax. Her daughter refuses to pay the exrra 25% council tax. It really winds me up but I would never report it

Can I ask you why? Not being goady. I would just like to understand your mindset.

its the tunnel vision of petty minded people blaming those in a similar situation as them becuase they have a car or they have a holiday - the jealousy and small mindedness of it all is striking

^

You aren't suppose to go on holiday without informing the DWP when you are claiming benefits.