Do I keep quiet or report for potential benefit fraud?

[Keepnoseoutorreport]

I've namechanged (feel free to check with HQ)

So an acquaintance has had anxiety for years, claims PIP and can't work. I have anxiety too and know how crippling it can be it's absolutely horrific and find at its worst it stops me engaging in a social life, stops me sleeping, and I can barely function. So I'm not without sympathy.

However. This acquaintance has for the past 6 weeks without fail been out 2 or 3 times a week on big nights out, music gigs, hen dos etc and posted the photos all over facebook. In the next post the next day moaning that she is broke, too unwell to work and scared of losing her PIP

Now I'm getting pretty sick of it and feel she is taking the piss a bit and the way I see it I have a couple of options;

1. congratulate her on her recovery and quietly suggest she minds her Facebook closer as people may not take kindly to her posts

2. report her to dwp

3. seethe, delete and ignore and let her trip herself up in due course.

I'm torn between 1 and 3 in all honesty.

3

3

2

I'm not sure what you would actually report though?

1

You do know pip is not means tested? Has nothing to do with whether she is working or not?

What's she supposed to have done that's actually illegal? If she's annoying you on FB, delete her.

2 or 3 big nights out a week on PIP?

I know it's not means tested but they ask that you notify them of any change in condition (for better or worse). To get PIP for mental health issues is extremely rare which is why people are being called in for reassessment as they screwed up so many assessments with a mental health element.

I say 1 as it let's her know that you also,know

Let's her see that other people may also realise and might make her up her game of her own accord before she's discovered in any way

With regards anxiety, is it easy to fake to a doctor? Is it easy to obtain PIP?

How dare someone with anxiety have any joy in their lives. The wretched women.

Keep your snout out.

You do know that if you have severe anxiety these situations would be extremely difficult to go to, exhausting mentally and physically, and really not enjoyable.

Getting PIP for mental health issues is not extremely rare. Its perhaps harder than for physical conditions, but not rare.

Her medical issues might be such that she can't consistently work but she's able to still leave her house and go to social situations. Some people do seem to expect those receiving PIP to hide away forever but it doesn't really work like that.

Bobbar.

3

To get PIP for mental health issues is extremely rare which is why people are being called in for reassessment as they screwed up so many assessments with a mental health element.

It's not that rare at all, more claims on MH grounds are successful than not. The reassessments are due to a change in the law on the mobility element of PIP, and nothing to do with screwed up assessments (although they do screw many up, which are then won at appeal).

The DWP recognise that conditions - especially mental health ones - vary. If she's having a better phase then good for her. If it continues beyond six months then she needs to notify them of a change in circumstances.

I get PIP. I have severe anxiety and PTSD.

Do you realise anxiety is different for everyone? Some people can't go out, some people can. Some people are scared of social situations, some people aren't.

Also, PIP is a personal independence payment. It's actually designed to get disabled people out and about, living normal lives. That's why the mobility element lets you have a car, if you wish.

I am SICK to death of people thinking that PIP claimants should lie in bed sobbing all day. We are people. We deserve to live.

My friend who has anxiety and PTSD has no problem with social situations, she is really fun when we go out. She is crippled with anxiety when she is alone at home. If her partner is out and she arrives home she sits in her car on the drive till he gets back.
If he is planning to go out she goes with or arranges to go out. So not everyone with anxiety can't do social situations.

You can't assume that her illness affects her in the same way that yours affects you. Anxiety is different for everyone.

You know how hard it is to get PIP, right? So you know the process? And the hoops to jump through?

So what you do is you mind your own business and not even consider putting someone under the stress of being investigated when the chances are she has a legitimate claim.

I get PIP because I am Bipolar. The depression is horrific and very debilitating..and the mania is very destructive. The point is , sometimes I am stable for months and learn to love myself and my life again...but when I sink into depression... can barely function. I'm not penalised for when I feel a bit better thank God - I don't know how I'd cope if I had to prove my illness every time . Please don't judge...mental health issues can be very complex and difficult to live with as it is.

How about option four?

Just forget about it entirely

I can easily go to concerts and so on but it doesn't mean my anxiety has gone away. far from it. its actually worse with people I know than strangers. Keep your nose out.

I have severe anxiety, I can’t go on public transport, I can’t cope with large social gatherings where I’m expected to interact with people, I can’t handle intensive one on one conversations.

I can go to Celtic Park on a European night and have a ball, I can go out with DP for a meal.

Go with 3.

KeepNoseOut That is the way your anxiety manifests. There is not a right or wrong way to have Anxiety.

Please don't judge this 'aquaintance', perhaps spend a little time having a look at www.nomorepanic.co.uk/forum.php it's a really good resource.