Should I report my cousin's benefit fraud?

[GreatAmberSnake]

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?

It does not matter what the condition is, it is about how it affects you. That is what they look at. They gave you the reason why they rejected your claim, at the tribunal, I take it?

In this case it clearly has.

And how do you know this? Do you live with the Cousin?

I think it’s clear from the OP post don’t u?? Odd thing to say.

Why odd? Unless the OP lives with her 'cousin', or is very heavily involved in his day,to day life, and care, then I highly doubt that she has the full picture either. That is clear from her post, that she does not, and is not.

I take it you haven’t read the post then?
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

I'm bored with your posts now. I have no desire to continue on this merry go round. Good Day.

ah. One of those are we. I’m quite bored of your pointless posts too.

That is a work of fiction and follows the script of every benefit bashing thread I have seen on MN.

PIP isn't thrown at anyone. You don't know what you are talking about.🙄

Again! You clearly haven’t read the OP post have you.
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.

And you clearly haven't read my post of 10:05 😅

Quite. Disability Bingo, anybody?

about benefit bashing? I did. I just thought it it was Irrelevant and pathetic 🤣

Oh no. You thought my post was irrelevant and pathetic?

That has ruined my whole day.

I am crushed.

Crushed!

Amazing! 🤩

He has such severe depression he has attempted suicide... It sounds like he is genuinely very affected by his condition. Are you sure he isn't trying to 'save face' by joking that he exaggerated on the claim rather than admitting that his mental health is utterly debilitating?
Sadly there is still a lot of stigma (especially for men) around this.
Same with saying others are mugs for going to work, perhaps he would love to have it together enough to work? As a single bloke on PIP and presumably universal credit, he'll only be getting enough to just about survive. Again, maybe a case of saving face rather than admitting his life is in an utterly shit place?
Edited for typo.

DO NOT REPORT HIM !!! He almost certainly will do prison time. He has children. Do you want that on your conscience. Sounds like you don’t like him much but think about your wider family. Stay out of it , not your business

I agree with CleverButScatty and K90, above. 100%!

People like him really annoy me. He could be in for a rude awakening though, as the Government have announced today they are cutting back on PIP payments and people will be investigated. Report him if you wish, he’s fraudulently claiming taxpayers money.

I think you should report him. I don't think he'd be boasting about it if he was genuine.

A elder friend of mine is medically unfit to work, she would love it and does not (yet) qualify for this.

i find it incredibly sad and disappointing people claim fraudulently. I would honestly feel torn and can see why you have paused, I am guessing he may brag to mask his true sadness. Still though, it’s wrong and you would not be wrong to contact and advise the truth.

He is robbing you though. If he’s claiming benefits he’s not entitled to, he’s robbing from society. There’s people in genuine need who can’t get help, pensioners who’ve lost benefits because the government can’t balance the books whilst this chancer brags about playing the system. He deserves to have his life fucked up.

Our economy is sinking under the weight of people like this. And it does not do any favours to the people rightfully claiming benefits when liars like this are playing the system. Report.

It’s about time they took mental
health out of PIP! I’ve a friend with multiple medical conditions and even being a wheelchair user she had to go to tribunal! This is a potential fraud which as a tax payer I resent, perhaps you’re so defensive because you’re claiming fraudulently?