Benefit fraud

[Roxmum14]

One of my friends is committing benefit fraud. I feel like I should report them however I'm feeling guilty for just thinking it. Back story, her partner is a narcissist, spends all their (benefit) money on alcohol and drugs leaving them with nothing when they have a little 2 year old girl to feed. Both of them hardly parent the girl leaving her alone for long periods of time to sit out the front smoking or just generally not interacting with her. They've already had social services involved before. To the point, she asked him to leave their flat about 4/5 months ago and then split their universal credit claim to separate claims. Since then he's been round every day, or every other day until recently when she's asked him to move back in and has told me she's not intending on telling universal credit as it means they'll get less money. What should I do? Should I report them? Will they know it's me? What happened if they are reported?

I'd be prioritising the neglect and substance misuse issues

They won't care and nothing will happen usually
Hardly like she's rolling in it and her poor daughter growing up with pretty poor role models. Leave it be imo

She gets high disability benefits as well as all the extra elements on uc for the disability and the little girl so received about £1300 a month

Weird that you are staying friends with someone who neglects their toddler, and you want to report benefit fraud rather than to social services.

You say friend, yet you sound like you don't even like them. I think they have bigger problems why add to it ?. If you actually want to help keep an eye out on the welfare of the little girl.

You're not arsed about the child neglect, or the drug taking boyfriend being around, but you're super concerned about the benefit fraud.

Says it all really.

This. She hardly sounds like someone I would be interested in spending time with. Why are you not more concerned about the neglect, and substance abuse, as another poster has pointed out, OP?

Report both the neglect to social services and benefit fraud to DWP - don't stand by and do nothing.

Nowhere in my post does it say I'm not "arsed" about the child neglect. That's being dealt with already thank you

Lots of assumptions being made here that I'm not concerned about other issues. I was asking specifically for the benefit fraud not the neglect etc. that is being dealt with already

So the neglect is being dealt with and you want to make their situation worse, lovely!

So I shouldn't report someone who is fraudulently claiming more benefits than they should because they neglect their child? I'm confused...

Yeah it’s the neglect that would worry me. If you report her it may give her the push she needs to get rid of the boyfriend though. May not be a bad thing. I know thats not a pleasant thought but the they both sound like shit parents. At least perhaps she’ll be around less substance abuse.

If this is true, then reporting them for fraud, will have a detrimental effect on the innocent child. I would suggest that you myob.

@Roxmum14 well that's equivalent of a low nmw job or something. Again, hardly like she's rolling in it! why are you penny watching? It comes across weird and envious.

She doesn't exactly have a flashy life with a disabled toddler/health problems herself, multiple addictions, living on benefits and friends who don't even like her!

Yes, there are lots of people who take the piss with benefits. It is what it is 🤷‍♀️ Focus on yourself

Report both. Social services and benefit fraud. Fuck em, they sound like shoddy parents

You could report for neglect of the child, if anything.

The benefit fraud is really a minor secondary concern. I would report to SS that he is back living there because it sounds like they have given her an ultimatum that in order to keep her child with her she needs to ditch him.

@Roxmum14 you are confused? Seriously? For one thing, this isn't what friends do. For another thing, the child is the priority, will reporting for fraud help the kid or disadvantage them further?

What would you suggest I do as a friend then?

Starting to think you are just on the wind up

As ever, the OP gets flamed for a valid question.

i would make sure that the neglect is reallt being looked after - perhaps add to the report.

benefits up to you - is she faking being more sick etc?

I do think children need good role models including not stealing and she’s clearly not one, maybe she needs an extra kick up the arse to get her life together?

id distance yourself tho - find friends you respect and like.

Help her out with the child?

No, Don't report them. A friend wouldn't do that. Offer support for the other issues.

Thank you, I really appreciate the advice