Page 2 | SIL and benefits fraud - WWYD

Whiskyinajar · 29/04/2021 13:54

Tbh in her shoes I think I'd do the same. Once you close a UC account there will be a five week wait before any money if she has to claim again.

If he walks out rapidly it will leave her in a terrible situation.

A couple of minutes the to see if he's going to be supportive to her and the children seems sensible.

It's still wrong but honestly I can see why she's doing this.

Whiskyinajar · 29/04/2021 13:54

months not minutes.

user648482729 · 29/04/2021 13:54

I don’t see that there’s anything you can do as obviously you don’t want to report it but it’d make me feel differently about someone to find out they did that. Why should she get to save money while claiming benefits; it’s wrong to do what she is doing.

Sssloou · 29/04/2021 13:56

@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.

This doesn’t really make sense given what you have said you have already done and now said in your OP:

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 think you are really canvassing opinion to back you to report her.

PatrickBatemann · 29/04/2021 13:57

Why should she get to save money while claiming benefits

But why shouldn't people be able to do this?

PatrickBatemann · 29/04/2021 13:57

@freecuthbert

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!

Why are you assuming this? She may well already know this.

BrittanyKAMA · 29/04/2021 13:59

I was reported for benefit fraud. I started a new job but it was a while before I got paid and I had to pay for childcare as well as rent in the meantime, so I kept claiming for a few weeks. Then the job didn’t work out and they let me go.

A few months later out of the blue I was charged with Fraud. It was my ex-boss who reported me. I know this, because her handwritten letter was presented as evidence. This could have really destroyed my life. Luckily, the other side kept missing court appearances and it was eventually thrown out by the magistrate.

I really don’t think people realise how serious the consequences are.

saraclara · 29/04/2021 14:00

While it's temporary, I'd mind my own business. It's a faff de-registering and then claiming again, and she can't be certain that re-applying will go smoothly. Giving it a couple of months to see if living together works out isn't entirely unreasonable.

stairway · 29/04/2021 14:02

Look at it from another way. She doesn’t want to be renting any more. I sympathise as renting absolutely sucks. She’s trying to find a away out. If she can get on the property ladder she is likely to be less of a burden on the state eventually.

freecuthbert · 29/04/2021 14:03

@PatrickBatemann I wasn't assuming this, I was following up on my previous comment!

Also shame on those who think people on benefits shouldn't be able to save. There is even a government scheme called Help To Save that encourages it. If people on benefits aren't allowed to save, how can they afford unexpected costs like a broken washing machine? Or are we meant to expect them to keep getting everything on finance and be stuck in an endless circle and have no hope at bettering themselves and getting out of the system?

Original poster

grabzyy · 29/04/2021 14:04

@freecuthbert no, he doesn't.

@HarleyQuinn21 I will try and mention in that way then. Hopefully, it's not too late.

@Whiskyinajar I did think about that but then again they've been together for 2 years and he's seen/known her children from the beginning so I'm not sure that's 100% the case.

@Sssloou I can see that it may look like that but I would never report SIL but I know there are people in DH's family who would do so in a heartbeat if they found out. Regardless of how I feel about her lying to UC and whether I like it or not, I would never report her.

@stairway she's not renting, she's on the council

OP posts:

PatrickBatemann · 29/04/2021 14:07

[quote freecuthbert]@PatrickBatemann I wasn't assuming this, I was following up on my previous comment!

Also shame on those who think people on benefits shouldn't be able to save. There is even a government scheme called Help To Save that encourages it. If people on benefits aren't allowed to save, how can they afford unexpected costs like a broken washing machine? Or are we meant to expect them to keep getting everything on finance and be stuck in an endless circle and have no hope at bettering themselves and getting out of the system?[/quote]
Ah sorry! Didn't see your other comment.

I totally agree with you, and think it's pretty gross some posters believe just because you're on benefits, you shouldn't be able to save. How will people ever be able to afford to get themselves out of their situations then? It was better years ago when they didn't take savings into account.

freecuthbert · 29/04/2021 14:07

I have an in-law who commits benefit fraud as well, but I would never report them. I don't agree with it, but I can understand why they do it. They have a job that's cash in hand, some months they have no work there at all, and other times they have some work. It's not a lot of money from the inconsistent work, and the benefits money isn't much either. They seem to be just about keeping their head above water, so I can sympathise. I just keep my mouth shut.

TheQueef · 29/04/2021 14:07

What is on the council?

teenagetantrums · 29/04/2021 14:12

I would report it. Benefits are for keeping your day to day life going while you look for a job. Not to allow you to save for a deposit. Anyway she can't have savings for a deposit in her name without it effecting her benefits. So all the money will be in boyfriend name while she presumably claims help with her rent.

Becstar90 · 29/04/2021 14:13

I would never do this to anyone. We are scammed everyday by the government.

freecuthbert · 29/04/2021 14:15

@teenagetantrums you are allowed up to 16k savings, so she could get part way there with the deposit, but sadly 16k doesn't go very far these days. And many people on benefits do work, it's often just a top up on their income as companies pay too little!

PatrickBatemann · 29/04/2021 14:19

Does she work OP?

Maray1967 · 29/04/2021 14:19

Tell her she needs to be careful. I have a friend whose DH works for the benefits department, and part of his job involves sitting outside claimants homes early in the morning and monitoring how many times a week a partner leaves the house. And the claimant is at risk of prosecution. I don’t know if these are random checks or because someone has made an allegation but it is clear that checks are made in some circumstances.

PatrickBatemann · 29/04/2021 14:20

@teenagetantrums

I would report it. Benefits are for keeping your day to day life going while you look for a job. Not to allow you to save for a deposit. Anyway she can't have savings for a deposit in her name without it effecting her benefits. So all the money will be in boyfriend name while she presumably claims help with her rent.

But - shock - why can't you do both? Keep yourself going whilst also being able to save?

Oh the horror!

ThisIsStartingToBoreMe · 29/04/2021 14:20

Council houses are rented!

Moondust001 · 29/04/2021 14:27

I would feel obliged to warn her of the risk she is taking, just in case she doesn't know how stupid this is. Then it's down to her. She literally doesn't need to have a family member rat her out - any old neighbour will do, or even the regular cross checks of information done by government departments could flag it. But if she got caught I'm afraid I'd have no sympathy either. I am sorry, but most people have to save for a house deposit from their own money, not by defrauding taxpayers; and it is outright rubbish that they "can't afford to save extra money". This is not a slight transgression - it is fraud and theft and these are serious criminal activities. The longer she thinks she is getting away with it, the more trouble she will be in when caught.

Moondust001 · 29/04/2021 14:29

@Maray1967

Tell her she needs to be careful. I have a friend whose DH works for the benefits department, and part of his job involves sitting outside claimants homes early in the morning and monitoring how many times a week a partner leaves the house. And the claimant is at risk of prosecution. I don’t know if these are random checks or because someone has made an allegation but it is clear that checks are made in some circumstances.

They actually have firms of private detectives on contract to do this sort of thing in many areas. And cross check between things like tax returns and DVLC and DWP. Yes,. lots of people get away with it. But I'd hate living on a knife edge waiting to be caught....

NCforsafety · 29/04/2021 14:32

Report report report.

Thieving cheating scum.
I massively support the welfare system and believe I have a duty to help pay for those less fortunate. That does not mean paying for cheats so they can save up to buy a fucking house.

PatrickBatemann · 29/04/2021 14:33

@NCforsafety

Report report report. Thieving cheating scum. I massively support the welfare system and believe I have a duty to help pay for those less fortunate. That does not mean paying for cheats so they can save up to buy a fucking house.

Well you'll be pleased to know OP isn't reporting