Page 15 | Should I report my cousin's benefit fraud?

GreatAmberSnake · 2025-02-20T09:35:30+00:00

Hi everyone - I'm having a bit of a moral dilemma and looking to get everyone's opinions. My M34 cousin doesn't work, he claims PIP. I'm not that familiar with how it works but he says he's on the highest level available, and there's even talk of him getting given a car. He openly boasts at every opportunity about the extreme exaggerations and outright lies he put on his PIP application, and calls me and other members of the family idiots for working when we could just get our money from PIP like he does. If they investigated him they would easily find that some of his lies don't add up. I believe he genuinely does have depression and anxiety, but he has no physical issues. He said he put things like his partner needs to dress him in the morning (he split from his partner a couple of years ago), needs to wear velcro shoes as he can't tie laces etc. A home visit would show up some of his lies, and a call to the school (he's a weekend Dad but sometimes picks up/drops off his sons) or the Police (he's been arrested for drug offences a couple of times) would be further proof. The main thing stopping me from reporting him is his depression. He has attempted suicide on at least one occasion, and I fear that a potential prison sentence for fraud could send him into a spiral. Even if no-one found out it was me, I really don't want that on my conscience. If he didn't boast all the time I would just ignore it, it's not like it affects me directly, but it just winds me up every time he goes on about. Grrrr!! I do try to minimise contact with him but sometimes it's easier said than done. If he gets this car I think he'll become even more unbearable 😡 Help! What would you do?

PandoraSox · 21/02/2025 14:06

@Jaehee I am so sorry you went through that. There are some very cruel and ignorant people on this thread.

scanni · 21/02/2025 14:08

@ThisOldThang

I'd expect hunger to become a major motivating factor. Just like it is for everybody else.

People didn't used to starve to death simply because they couldn't be bothered to cook.

You are absolutely correct, people didn't stave to death because they couldn't be bothered to cook

We are talking about severe mental illness though, not 'can't be bothered' - it's a shame you are unable to understand there is a difference, embarrassing really.

JLou08 · 21/02/2025 14:12

If your worried about his mental health and suicide then it's likely he isn't fit to work. He probably worries that not including physical symptoms in the application would lead to him not getting the money and he would struggle financially. I wouldn't report him.

bigkahunaburger · 21/02/2025 14:17

His shows just some of the added costs of being neurodiverse for example.

My friend for example lost her keys to her car and her house so much she was always having to get keys replaced and locksmiths ( v expensive) would lose money, bank cards, etc. get fines. Overdraft fees.

www.additudemag.com/adhd-tax-financial-wellness-money-problems/amp/

x2boys · 21/02/2025 14:31

ThisOldThang · 21/02/2025 12:37

I'd expect hunger to become a major motivating factor. Just like it is for everybody else.

People didn't used to starve to death simply because they couldn't be bothered to cook.

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When i was a mental health nurse I remember one patient was so depressed he was catatonic ,food was placed in front of him and he couldn't even pick up a knife and fork to feed himself ,If staff hadent spoon fed him he wouldn't eat
Another patient when in a depressive phase of her Bipolar couldn't get off the bed ,I went into her room regularly just to make sure she didn't dehydrate, that's not a choice.

Jaehee · 21/02/2025 14:34

x2boys · 21/02/2025 14:31

When i was a mental health nurse I remember one patient was so depressed he was catatonic ,food was placed in front of him and he couldn't even pick up a knife and fork to feed himself ,If staff hadent spoon fed him he wouldn't eat
Another patient when in a depressive phase of her Bipolar couldn't get off the bed ,I went into her room regularly just to make sure she didn't dehydrate, that's not a choice.

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That’s what I have been like during the worst episodes. Catatonic and unable to put the food to my mouth or chew, not so much because I didn’t want to but more as if that part of my brain had shut down.

LakieLady · 21/02/2025 14:38

Boomer55 · 20/02/2025 18:08

Some claimants in certain areas still haven’t been mass migrated over. 🤷‍♀️

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Thanks for that, I had no idea.

Mind you, several years ago, I had a client still getting incapacity benefit several years after every other client had been moved over to ESA, so I guess it's possible for some to slip through the net.

LakieLady · 21/02/2025 14:47

Butterfly292828 · 20/02/2025 23:16

Oh quite possibly switched over by now. I don’t understand the difference between DLA or pip. Anyway was a few years ago that they moved away, never said bye- so took that to being no longer on speaking terms.
is Attendance allowance something you go on after DLA or PIPS? A friend who 80 odd was turned down for AA.. she suffers breast cancer, lung cancer/ rheumatoid arthritis, COPD? Two knee replacements, 2 hip replacements & other ailments but was knocked back.
Her hands were frozen solid with the cold as she’s too scared to put the gas fire on.
is it worth her appealing?

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I don't work with clients over pension age, so have little knowledge of AA, I'm afraid. And she may be out of time for an appeal.

Age UK or Macmillan would be best placed to help your friend, they're specialists in benefits for older people and people with cancer, respectively.

Butterfly292828 · 21/02/2025 15:55

Miley1967 · 21/02/2025 00:11

Age Uk often have people who will fill out the forms. they will often do home visits. Also citizens advice or sometimes even DWP home visiting officers will come to the home to help fill out the form. Or you can fill out the form online also.

Edited

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Oh thanks for that info, will pass it on.
forgot about Age Uk, they helped mum fill out POA forms for my father, they were excellent.
I think those forms would have me tied in knots. Anyway thanks 👍🏻

Butterfly292828 · 21/02/2025 15:58

XenoBitch · 21/02/2025 00:13

I am confused. Are you on about two different people?
You mention someone who has been on DLA/PIP for 20 years despite not having a bipolar episode in that time....
And then go on about someone with bipolar who takes themselves off of DLA when they feel well.

If you are in hospital for more than 30 days, your PIP is stopped anyway. Maybe that is what is happening with this fictional person that is bipolar with no episodes, but also has them and comes off benefits.

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Yes two different people- just giving an example of my sister who was extremely ill with bipolar- certainly not fictional!

AgnesX · 21/02/2025 16:03

Agix · 20/02/2025 09:57

Fed up of people saying PIP is difficult to claim. It's NOT.

It is only difficult to claim if you're not prepared to lie.You will be scrutinised and the assessors will try to catch you out when you're being honest, and often succeed in twisting your words and putting you off claiming because you're unwell and can't be dealing with this bullshit.

People who are prepared to lie and continue lying and fighting decisions that go against them will quite easily get PIP. Because they're happy to keep lying and scoring the points.

You do need medical evidence, but most medical evidence for mental health conditions is all about what you have reported to your doctor. Your doctor can only write down what you say your symptoms are. Your doctor doesn't live with you and has to believe you when you say you're so depressed you need help to get dressed. So that's what will go on your official reports and "medical evidence".

If you're prepared to lie, and make a part time job of claiming PIP by tracking which lies you have told your medical professionals and the PIP assessors, it is NOT hard to get PIP. You just need to learn the points system, and lie to your doctors and specialists and on the PIP form. These people also have people to lie for them, friends or family, pretending to have to provide care.

If you have genuine struggles, which you are genuinely trying to recover from and work towards getting better from, the PIP assessors will zero in on the bits where you seem capable and independent. You'll feel like shite spending so much time and energy on trying to claim this benefit and going through assesaments. You'll feel embarrassed and ashamed of how badly your health effects you, you'll struggle to talk about it. And you won't get PIP and will stop trying.

Not so with people who lie and make a job of it. They have all the time and energy in the world to keep going until they get the benefit.

The assessment process is easy for liars, who actually have the health to battle through the system, and very difficult for people genuinely unwell and trying to live life who don't have it in them to fight it.

Edited

How do you know this, out of curiosity. Have you gamed the system or do you work for DWP as a fraud investigator?

As much as I realise some people have no shame I'm surprised you say this.

Butterfly292828 · 21/02/2025 16:06

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Butterfly292828 · 21/02/2025 16:08

Teanbiscuits33 · 21/02/2025 00:43

What anyone spends money on has nothing to do with anybody but the person concerned, and even if I wanted to tell someone of my financial affairs, it wouldn’t be a judgemental person who clearly needs a life, like you.

A few of my friends claim PIP for valid reasons but are so scared that others in their circle will find out and judge them that they keep it quiet. Equally, I’ve known a few who like to rub it in people’s faces and exaggerate what they claim because they know certain saddos will foam at the mouth and it’s entertaining for them. Each to their own 🤣

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no you need to get a life!

dottiehens · 21/02/2025 16:09

Report him. People work their arses and pay taxes for genuine cases not for con artists claiming and taking away from real claimers.

Butterfly292828 · 21/02/2025 16:11

Anonforthis58 · 21/02/2025 09:54

That’s not correct. AA is 2 parts - daytime care and night-time care. You don’t have to be actually receiving the care, it’s based on whether you need care. So if you’ve struggle with the given activities through the day and night, you would be awarded enhanced rate. If you only struggled through the day you’d be awarded standard rate. This is obviously subject to them accepting your conditions and difficulties.

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Ahh got you. Thanks so much.

Butterfly292828 · 21/02/2025 16:25

LakieLady · 21/02/2025 14:47

I don't work with clients over pension age, so have little knowledge of AA, I'm afraid. And she may be out of time for an appeal.

Age UK or Macmillan would be best placed to help your friend, they're specialists in benefits for older people and people with cancer, respectively.

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Oh that’s an idea, The MacMillan. Thanks 👍🏻

Butterfly292828 · 21/02/2025 16:28

Fencehedge · 20/02/2025 23:32

Attendance Allowance is for pension age. It can be applied for at two different rates. Rate 1 is if you need assistance because you have care needs that mean you are unable to look after yourself for the past at least 6 months (£72 pw). Rate 2 is fast tracked and higher rate for those given less than 12 months to live (£108 pw). I believe non-means tested and given on top of pension / pension credits. The associated full time carer can also apply for carer allowance (£82 pw)

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👍🏻 Thanks for the info

scanni · 21/02/2025 16:46

@Butterfly292828

That 'info' is not accurate in any way.

anonny55 · 21/02/2025 16:55

Pip is not always hard to claim.

1 example - I know someone (very close to me I know the ins and outs) claimed for anxiety and knees regularly dislocating when he was 5😵‍💫
He's worked 3 jobs since becoming an adult which he managed perfectly fine , they were all active jobs too 12hrs a day on your feet. His knees having dislocated ever in the 4 years I've known him , he laughs and makes a joke of it as a perfect excuse to get pip. He says he has anxiety as he gets a dodgy tummy when he's nervous (woop woop don't we all!) he does public speaking for my sisters projects she does as she's shy so struggles at the big events (he doesn't get paid but goes along to them to help her). Anxiety can't be that bad then. He rides his bike around town everyday perfectly fine with those 'dodgy knees' he's getting over £700 a month in pip, rent paid for and UC on top. Buying himself £500 VR technology - living better than most of us in full time work. Now boasting about how he's going to get a car through his pip

On another hand my DB who's diagnosed ASD, ADHD, Bipolar, anxiety and depression and absolutely cannot hold down a job and has a load of additional needs where he needs my mum as a full time carer to cook, clean, do his washing etc..was denied and had to go through tribunal. It took years and eventually he was reimbursed over 20k after all medical evidence and evidence from schools, then past jobs all came together

So it seems the ones who aren't genuine with bull shit excuses get it pretty easy no fuss (and yes you can go to your doctor and say you have anxiety and that is a medical note (how does your doctor know if your talking shit, they usually flog you off with medication - that you don't need to take - and there's your 'evidence) , then the ones generally struggling have to go through all the hoops to get what they SHOULD.

scanni · 21/02/2025 17:01

anonny55 · 21/02/2025 16:55

Pip is not always hard to claim.

1 example - I know someone (very close to me I know the ins and outs) claimed for anxiety and knees regularly dislocating when he was 5😵‍💫
He's worked 3 jobs since becoming an adult which he managed perfectly fine , they were all active jobs too 12hrs a day on your feet. His knees having dislocated ever in the 4 years I've known him , he laughs and makes a joke of it as a perfect excuse to get pip. He says he has anxiety as he gets a dodgy tummy when he's nervous (woop woop don't we all!) he does public speaking for my sisters projects she does as she's shy so struggles at the big events (he doesn't get paid but goes along to them to help her). Anxiety can't be that bad then. He rides his bike around town everyday perfectly fine with those 'dodgy knees' he's getting over £700 a month in pip, rent paid for and UC on top. Buying himself £500 VR technology - living better than most of us in full time work. Now boasting about how he's going to get a car through his pip

On another hand my DB who's diagnosed ASD, ADHD, Bipolar, anxiety and depression and absolutely cannot hold down a job and has a load of additional needs where he needs my mum as a full time carer to cook, clean, do his washing etc..was denied and had to go through tribunal. It took years and eventually he was reimbursed over 20k after all medical evidence and evidence from schools, then past jobs all came together

So it seems the ones who aren't genuine with bull shit excuses get it pretty easy no fuss (and yes you can go to your doctor and say you have anxiety and that is a medical note (how does your doctor know if your talking shit, they usually flog you off with medication - that you don't need to take - and there's your 'evidence) , then the ones generally struggling have to go through all the hoops to get what they SHOULD.

Haha there is so much that doesn't add up but a tribunal that took years and he was given £20k of back money- pull the other one.

Butterfly292828 · 21/02/2025 17:11

scanni · 21/02/2025 16:46

@Butterfly292828

That 'info' is not accurate in any way.

Which info?

scanni · 21/02/2025 17:13

@Butterfly292828

This...

Attendance Allowance is for pension age. It can be applied for at two different rates. Rate 1 is if you need assistance because you have care needs that mean you are unable to look after yourself for the past at least 6 months (£72 pw). Rate 2 is fast tracked and higher rate for those given less than 12 months to live (£108 pw). I believe non-means tested and given on top of pension / pension credits. The associated full time carer can also apply for carer allowance (£82 pw

scanni · 21/02/2025 17:14

The rates are connected to your care needs - yes if you have less then 12 months to live you will get fast tracked to high rate, but many many people qualify for the higher rate of AA without being terminal.

Teanbiscuits33 · 21/02/2025 17:15

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I’m not angry at all. I’m replying to you, you’re the one who started off slagging people off online when you know so little about the system. Add to that, you’re now proving yourself to be a very unpleasant person talking about me having MH issues because I’m daring to stand up to your ignorance. Nice! You know very little about MH issues as well, it seems, not just PIP.

You’re telling me to get a life, yet you spend your time having a go at people who are on benefits but won’t say it to their faces. As I said, concentrate on your own life, hobbies and goals. The reason most people are so unhappy and angry is because they spend so much time comparing themselves and being envious of others. The way forward is to simply keep your nose out and focus on yourself.

I’m very sorry if I got you confused with another poster who said people spend PIP on drugs and alcohol.

Butterfly292828 · 21/02/2025 17:15

scanni · 21/02/2025 17:14

The rates are connected to your care needs - yes if you have less then 12 months to live you will get fast tracked to high rate, but many many people qualify for the higher rate of AA without being terminal.

Ahh ok thank you 🙏