SIL and benefits fraud - WWYD

[grabzyy]

I know IABU for not minding my own business but this is really bugging me and I don't think it's fair. SIL and I get on quite well, she tells me a lot about her private life and I've always been there to listen and help as much as I can. About 2 months ago, she told me that her boyfriend has moved in with her so they can save money for a house deposit. She said she hasn't told UC because her payments would be affected as a result of how much he earns and they can't afford to not save the extra money. I told her that I'm sure she can get in trouble and get a fine if they find out and she said they're 'just seeing how things go and if it works out first'. I'm really annoyed about this because I feel like it's benefit fraud and she shouldn't be lying to them regardless of how much her payments will be affected but at the same time I also don't want her to get in trouble. What would you do?

I'd do nothing. You do anything and she'll obviously know it was you.

(Prepare for the mind your own business brigade)

This would annoy me too OP but tbh on your SIL if he has only just moved in then maybe she really is just testing the waters to see if they think it'll be a long term thing. I'd hold fire on judgement for a while.

Sil being wife of your brother?

Why would you even want to? I could only ever imagine doing it to my worst enemy (and even then I still probably wouldn't) - not my own family

I wouldn’t do it, and even more so to family

I would mind my own business. She might not be sure how living together is going to go and might not want to be financially dependant on her boyfriend for now

@Itsabeautifulday81

Sil being wife of your brother?

Since her boyfriend is moving in I would assume SIL - sister of OP OH

Posted too soon...he might not want to pay for her children so to stop it affecting them it sounds sensible to see how it works out first.

What does your DH/OH advise?

@SummerBreeze1980

Posted too soon...he might not want to pay for her children so to stop it affecting them it sounds sensible to see how it works out first.

He should not move in then. The benefit system doesn't allow for this kind of trial.

I wouldn't report her, but I'd be drastically reducing the amount of time I spent with her and telling her why.

Nooo! I never even thought about reporting her. I meant more advice on ways to speak to her about it so she reports the change to UC. I'm worried that if she tells someone else, they may report her and that will get her in trouble. As I've said, we are quite close so there's no way I could ever report her. I just think she should declare it, that's all.

@grabzyy

Nooo! I never even thought about reporting her. I meant more advice on ways to speak to her about it so she reports the change to UC. I'm worried that if she tells someone else, they may report her and that will get her in trouble. As I've said, we are quite close so there's no way I could ever report her. I just think she should declare it, that's all.

Well hopefully she won't be silly enough to tell anyone outside of family.

@UserTwice

I wouldn't report her, but I'd be drastically reducing the amount of time I spent with her and telling her why.

It's annoying yes but like you said she could receive a fine or maybe even a prison sentence, do you really want to do that to a family member? (Honestly it seems the members of parliament take advantage of tax payers money anyway so don't really blame people who do it)

I’d report her like a shot!

@BingBongToTheMoon

I’d report her like a shot!

That's so weird.

Would you report your own blood family too?

Is she aware that any savings between 6k and 16k are subject to deductions, and after 16k you are no longer entitled to UC? So she will hit a brick wall with her savings either. Unless she is funnelling the savings into her partner's account? But that would be a very foolish thing to do.

Sorry, should have said 'either way' in previous message.

@HarleyQuinn21

It's annoying yes but like you said she could receive a fine or maybe even a prison sentence, do you really want to do that to a family member? (Honestly it seems the members of parliament take advantage of tax payers money anyway so don't really blame people who do it)

No, I would never do that to anyone, let alone SIL but as previously mentioned I'm worried someone else will. I'd like to think she wouldn't want to tell anyone else but other family members are staring to pick up on the fact that he's spending a lot more time at her house. DH's family are also awful with secrets so once one of them knows, everyone will.

@freecuthbert

Is she aware that any savings between 6k and 16k are subject to deductions, and after 16k you are no longer entitled to UC? So she will hit a brick wall with her savings either. Unless she is funnelling the savings into her partner's account? But that would be a very foolish thing to do.

Hi, I'm not sure. I've never had to claim myself so wasn't aware of that, god knows If she is. If that's the case, I have no idea what they're planning to do then!

Does he still rent a property himself?

Sorry I posted after you wrote your post, I didn't see it. I imagine she's aware of the consequences, maybe just in casual conversation tell her not to mention it to anyone else in case they report her? Don't think there's much more you can do.

@HarleyQuinn21

Sorry I posted after you wrote your post, I didn't see it. I imagine she's aware of the consequences, maybe just in casual conversation tell her not to mention it to anyone else in case they report her? Don't think there's much more you can do.

Pretty much this.

If she is giving her savings to her partner to increase her entitlement to benefits then that is also fraud. He could also run off with her savings and leave her in the shit!