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.

Brits tend to think that holidays are a human right. I’ve lived here for 10 years, from North America, and I’ve been surprised when meetings get rescheduled around someone’s hols. Like, really? So, for me, if you are struggling financially you wouldn’t dream of taking a holiday. It’s not that you don’t deserve it but that it’s an irresponsible use of what little you have.

It’s not that you don’t deserve it but that it’s an irresponsible use of what little you have.
Okay, but think about it in other terms. You are severely disabled, you have a child with disabilities. You look after said child 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Up frequently during the night to change, comfort, ensure safety and in the meantime trying to manage the impact this has on your own disability. Surely you could not begrudge someone in these circumstances a holiday?

Custardo
No idea, apparently I was spending too much on nice food! Interestingly, the person that reported me, and continued to do so (17 times in a year) ended up being threatened with court for harassment; by the DWP! They wanted us to go to court but ex dh couldn't manage it.

Do they really do that? I treated my brother to a coach tour of NYC for a week. He had a great time and would never had been able to afford it.
Why do people think that being on benefits means that you can never, ever have nice things?

So, for me, if you are struggling financially you wouldn’t dream of taking a holiday

Have you ever struggled financially? I don't mean the kind of struggle where you have to skip a few costas and miss a few nights out/weekends away. I mean the kind of struggle where you wear extra layers, lots of extra layers and go to bed early when it's cold because you're scared to turn the heating up. You live off convenience foods and cans of beans because fresh meat and some veg is beyond your means, you have a list of essentials you need to save up for i.e shoes and school uniform for your children because you can't manage to buy £12 Wynsors shoes without saving for a few weeks.

It's exhausting, it is depressing and grinding.

If those people manage to save a few quid a week for a UK break or find a charity or relative willing to help them then they absolutely do deserve it and are in no way irresponsible.

The reason why families get respite care where there is illness or disability, is because a break away to recuperate, sleep, relax, is often what prevents a family from breaking down completely.
So if they can manage to do it, a weeks holiday isnt an irresponsible use of what little they have. If it will keep them going for the other 51 weeks of the year its a sensible thing to do

' I’ve lived here for 10 years, from North America, and I’ve been surprised when meetings get rescheduled around someone’s hols. Like, really? So, for me, if you are struggling financially you wouldn’t dream of taking a holiday. It’s not that you don’t deserve it but that it’s an irresponsible use of what little you have.'

Yes, like really. I'm from N. America, too, it's so refreshing that people here understand how valuable it is to take a break from the hamster wheel of life and recharge instead of being expected to be cogs in a machine forever. And people have already explained, ad nauseam, how oftentimes the holiday has been provided by someone or something else (a charity, family, a fund for disabled families, etc) if you had bothered to RTFT.

I'd happily report anyone for benefits fraud if I had solid suspicion to do so. Would someone going on holiday be a reason? Probably not, as shown that the OP actually paid for the holiday demonstrates.

"’ve lived here for 10 years, from North America, and I’ve been surprised when meetings get rescheduled around someone’s hols. Like, really? "

So, what do you want? For people not to have any holiday or for people to be allowed to go away and called back in for a meeting??
I suggest you visit continental western Europe for a bit and see what good workers' rights really are.

People living off benefits are entitled to go on holiday - 100% agree with that. This holiday was funded by a friend and other holidays may be paid for by charities or other such donations. Not a single issue with any of that. However, it is the case that some benefits can't be claimed during holidays and those are simply the rules - to be fair, that obviously wasn't the case here and for someone to report benefit fraud without a shred of evidence is really poor behaviour. On the general topic, though, I tend to think that if those claiming benefits can afford to save, there is something wrong with the system. The welfare state is supposed to provide enough money for people to be able to live on - not to be able to save from this and fund luxuries like holidays. However, that is a fault within the system, not the fault of those using it. Completely agree the the pp who said it doesn't make you a better, more deserving person just because you are not in a situation whereby you are forced to use the benefits system - there but for the grace of God go I and all that - but it still remains that whatever your reason for being on benefits, the income comes from the state and there will - and should - always be stringent regulations over state money. In this particular case, it is clearly spite and malice that has caused the unfounded fraud report and that person should feel ashamed. However, there ARE cases where state money is misused and benefit fraud is commited, enabling people to take from the state in situations where, if full circumstances were disclosed, they would not be entitled to that money. If you know or strongly suspect someone is doing that, it IS everyone's business to report for fraud, since that money should be going to someone who is in genuine need. I don't begrudge those living within the benefit system a single thing, provided it is not fraudulently obtained. There are even cases where it may well be right to turn a blind eye, since we all know how appallingly those who are sick or disabled can be treated by this system, through no fault of their own. So after this long ramble, in this case YADNBU but that doesn't mean there aren't other cases where a report to the fraud team would be justified.

"It's because you're expected to be looking for work and available for work constantly "

I'm just as available for work if I'm on holiday in Scotland as I am in Ireland, but one is allowed and the other not. It's silly. You're allowed holidays in the UK, but not abroad on contributions-based JSA.

Reporting someone for going on holiday without speaking to them or knowing anything about the holiday is really shit imo. Especially because if you do any digging you find out that most of the time benefits are stopped while someone is investigated. You need to be pretty sure before you put someone through that hardship imo.

I mean it's quite simple to find out basic details "How was your hoiday Mary?" "Yeah it was great, I went to stay with my cousin/aunt" instantly shows you there is no accommodation costs for starters.

However, there ARE cases where state money is misused and benefit fraud is commited

Yes there are, however it is still tiny in comparison to tax evasion and child maintenance avoidance yet the government spends a disproportionate amount of money investing the former and hardly any investigating the latter two. I do wonder why that is, particularly as the benefit fraud is less than goes unclaimed, also the benefit fraud figures include overpayments made by mistake. I also wonder why benefit fraud gets everyone frothing but tax evasion and child maintenance avoidance illicits nothing more than a shoulder shrug.

** There seems to be a view that noone on benefits should have any treat or holiday, any joy in life,
as if that joy is taken from the life of someone "slogging away"

There is a strict amount of joy in the UK and if someone on benefits enjoys something, then the UK supply of joy is reduced ?

if those claiming benefits can afford to save, there is something wrong with the system"

Those posters who described saving for a holiday have been very frugal to do so.
This might not be possble for someone with different family, care or health responsibilities.

Setting benefits at a level that is low enough to prevent anyone saving for a holiday would mean making many others go hungry and homeless.

Setting up the benefits system so that noone could ever defraud the system, would make it too difficult for anyone to claim benefits

If claiming too ill/sick to work but can go away then it's a bit suspect etc.

Not benefits but some years ago when on long-term sick leave from work, it was coming up to a holiday that I'd booked and paid for before going off on sick leave. I contacted HR and their reply was that, if it was OK by my doctor, the holiday would probably do me the world of good and help me get better quicker so they had no problem with it.

No, it's not suspect if you're too ill to work but can go away. HR aren't usually known for their interpretation of law and policy against employers' interests.

The one thing that really annoys me is the people who go on about how hard they work paying tax for people to sit at home claiming benefits say f** all about tax evaders and actually idolise people like Gary Barlow etc

My friend's husband had a pretty serious stroke 2 years ago, affecting the use of his left hand and arm, and he is unable to walk and talk. He's only in his 50's. He gets a lot of pleasure out of doing woodwork, using his right hand and an adapted workbench, making wooden garden ornaments. His wife posted some photos of his work on Facebook and within a week or so, his PIP was stopped, and he was called in for a face to face assessment, as they had been informed he was that he was apparently fit to work. She only has close friends and family on Facebook so it must have been someone she knows (or perhaps a friend of a friend?) who reported him.

Some people never grow out of the "I'm telling on you!" phase of childhood.

Fook me, are people who are on benefits disabilities not allowed an occasional holiday now?! As some people have said, many people claiming benefits do still work too.

Someone I know had to fill in a form to reapply for ESA and they said she needs to give dates when she cannot make an assessment, (eg, if you have appointments with a specialist, or the hospital.)

She was going on holiday abroad 4 weeks after the closing date for the form being due in, (first one abroad for 10 years,) and was terrified they would call her in on her 10 days away. (Coach trip, cost £399 for 2 weeks, all travel and hotel with half board.)

She was worried that if she said she was going to Italy on a coach trip, that they would think 'can't be THAT disabled then can you?' and stop her money.

They sent her an assessment date for THREE DAYS after she got back!

But yeah, anyone who reports someone on any benefit - purely for having a holiday - is an utter twat IMO.

Also agree that some people who have an actual job are some of the laziest fuckers I know. One bloke (52,) works for a big PLC, (and has done since he was 26,) and literally has 40% of his working hours off sick over they year. (He gets paid for being off.)

He has had all kinds of meetings, warnings, 1 to 1 meetings with HR etc, but because he has a 'legitimate' reason for the time off and a 'doctor's note,' every time, they can't touch him (apparently.!)

I also find the people bitching and crowing about people on benefits (calling them freeloaders/scroungers/losers/parasites etc, and saying 'MY taxes pay for all this!') are the ones who pay the least tax!!!

Rachie1973..... that's so kind, it's actually brought tears to my eyes! I'm Pathetic
I'm sorry to hear about your water tank, hopefully it's all fixed now.

You’re committing benefit fraud if you

don’t tell the office that pays your benefit you’re going abroad, even if it’s just for a visit

Not what you said is it?
You said you had to inform the DWP if you went on holiday and were claiming benefits.

Which is not true.
And its the peddling misinformation that leads to dickheads thinking they have the right to inform on anyone claiming benefits for doing what they THINK is fraud.

Did you want to give dickheads further ammunition?

My sil works investigating benefit fraud. I am agog with the stories she tells

Funny how outraged people are by other breaking the law/rules by committing fraud but are absolutely fine with government employees, whose wages are paid for out of taxes, breaking confidentiality, data protection and safeguarding law/rules.

Your SIL shouldn't be telling you tales and if you want to pass on her details I would be happy to report her for you.

Because, frankly, I am agog at the verbal incontinence of public sector workers described by their relatives on MN.

Wow. Sorry this is long.....

I worked solidly after my degree, right up until a few years ago. I left on a 46k salary- peanuts to some, decent to others. For the record for where I live it's good. So obviously paid more in pension, tax and NI contributions, than some people I know, took home per month.

I now claim ESA and PIP.

Our lives have been turned upside down with my diagnosis(s).

We are going on holiday this year, for 7 days. Last holiday was 3 years ago. The holiday will be exhausting, but I can sleep for several hours during the day whilst dp and dc's go off and sight see etc.

The holiday isn't about me. It's about my dc. Giving them a break from the daily repetition. Me and my problems will still be there. But they have an opportunity to see somewhere different, taste different food, have new experiences. My dc's stopped being kids several years ago, when they had to 'step up' and start looking at things like an adult. They have to know my changes in mood, and when to seek further help, they have to know when it's appropriate to call an ambulance, they have to know how to move me correctly when I'm in spasm, they assist me with dressing on my bad days, and the list goes on with regards to personal care, cooking, cleaning etc.

So I'm guessing what people are saying, is that because I'm on benefits, despite paying in for years into the 'system', that I shouldn't save some of the money I receive, to give my dc's a 7 night holiday every few years. To give them some memories of us together, that is different from the ones they experience 7 days a week, for the rest of the year.

I have to laugh at the whole 'spending benefits' on 14 nights in Florida etc. I bloody wish! It would take me approx 4-5 years to save for something like this, unless we had family helping us.

And that's another thing. People are so quick to judge. But how many people are being supported by parents for example to have a holiday? Because truth be told, if my kids were struggling and I had the finances to support them, then yes I would help them and their children to go on holiday.

I just hope that for many of you who are quick to judge, that something doesn't happen to you. Because guess what- I wasn't planning on it! I didn't plan on having a man drive into me because he was in a rush, then having my injuries have a knock on affect and lead to a catalogue of diagnosis. None of you know if this could be you writing this in a few years time. Disability has no regard for whether you are old or young, rich or poor, black or white, male or female. Just thank your lucky stars you are healthy.

Sorry- rant over

My sil works investigating benefit fraud. I am agog with the stories she tells

With all due respect to your sister-in-law, she shouldn't be telling you, or anyone else, "stories" about the cases she works on. She is in breach of client confidentiality and data protection, and she could end up in serious trouble, not just with her employer.

Wow so those on benefits have to be chained at home, and can't have any joy, some people are so nasty.

I agree with MysteriousCity

especially as another poster pointed out it's more a waste of public money chasing all the reports that amount to nothing. But at the same time making some poor buggers living situation even worse, whilst they are investigated.

I've been on the boned of my arse, both dh and me working with two small children. It was fucking shit.

Their was also a scummy family down the road who lived off benefits and probably some cash in hand work. (Just to point out I don't think families who have to live of benefits are scummy, this family could have been working I'd still call them scummy)

But why should I have reported them? What good would it do for me? Would it have meant my family wasn't struggling? Would I have enjoyed watching from a distance to see if I could see them cracking? Twitched the curtains to see if the bailiffs turned up?
See them desperately trying to sell anything they owned on fb selling pages?

I wouldn't want to live their life even if they did appear to have nicer things then us.

Ask yourself what is it that makes you feel so justified, in reporting someone.