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?

I honestly don't know how people DO get it. I broke my elbow several years ago. My local hospital didn't do a very good job with it, and one arm is now almost 4 inches shorter than the other. I cannot clean properly, and fastening my bra is impossible without my kids (who won't live with me forever). PIPs answer was I could use aids. I could use a sports bra, I could hire a cleaner, I could buy an automatic car etc. I could have appealed but it was such a draining process. So as someone with a physical disability, I honestly don't know how people can fake it and get away with it.

I wouldn't report it as I'm not that bothered about what other people do, but agree it is frustrating.

The same Op who diesnt know how PIP works and makes no bones about disliking her cousin 🤔

Not 1 bit.

No need to seethe silently ... You could say "oh do be quiet or one day you'll brag in front of someone who will report you for fraud"

My advice? I'm just pointing out the bit about "getting a car" isn't simply being given a car. I'm a bit defensive of motability cars because some idiot on the daily mail was slagging off parents who have kids with add who get "free brand new cars" and should get an old banger instead

Report. No doubts.

This

I’m doubting that your post is genuine, @GreatAmberSnake . As a claimant, your cousin would know that he won’t get ‘given’ a car. If you get the mobility component of PIP, you can lease a car - which you pay for out of your benefit. You get information about this ( the motability scheme) when your claim starts.

IF your post is genuine, there’s no dilemma here. You’re afraid that the repercussions of a fraud investigation will drive him to suicide, and you don’t want that on your conscience. So don’t report him. If his boasting annoys you, give him a wide berth. But again, it sounds pretty implausible that he’s boasting about making a fraudulent claim.

There are systems in place which pick up fraud, and almost everyone has to go through a review or reclaim periodically.

I suspect that this is a benefit claimants bashing thread.

Doing something that might potentially really tip someone over the edge would be something I wouldnt want to have to live with. I wouldnt get involved.

I saw something similar,
Some twat thought we should go back to the old invacar.

How so?

You openly admit you don't know all the ins and outs of his claim or his lifestyle.

It always amazes me on these sort of threads how everyone else knows the other parties benefit/personal details in full.

The only person who truly knows all this is the claimant themselves.

If his MH is so poor he's attempted suicide it doesn't sound like he's particularly well...... either way evidence is needed for PIP so it sounds like he's entitled and perhaps you should keep your nose out?

PIP is not means tested and some people who are awarded it work. The money helps them to continue working.

Funny how people never want to discuss why people in full time jobs have to claim UC because their earnings don't cover the basic costs of living, and why employers don't pay enough for people with disabilities to cover their costs either.

Funny how nobody thinks the system needs a complete overhaul because end stage capitalism is out of control and the gap between rich and poor is widening exponentially.

Funny how nobody wants to discuss why councils will pay thousands a week to dodgy landlords providing sub standard temporary accommodation rather than subsidise permanent housing that would cost say a thousand a month. Funny how no-one wrings their hands about the money shuffling between various public and private agencies in the "poverty" industries, which pays for management and admin and makes little real difference to the clients of said agencies.

Funny how it's becoming such brazen sport to demonise the feckless poor who do what they do to survive, while tax dodges and brown envelopes and back scratching to appease "shareholders" is given a free pass.

So very, very funny.

I work for the DWP and this is literally not true. No one is going to lose their job because they didn't report! How reckless of you to say this!

I wouldn't bother to be honest, it sounds to me like he's quite unwell and would struggle quite a lot to find and stay in work. He might not really need PIP but he definitely doesn't sound stable.

@theressomanytinafeysicouldbe - When you apply for PIP people tell you to describe your worst day. This is NOT true at all. You are asked categorically what you can do on good days and bad days, and asked how many good days/bad days in a week/month etc.

Worked in fraud department at local council and absolutely would have lost my job if hadn't reported anyone I knew. Fortunately I was never in that position

OP has said he gets higher rate for everything, so actually will be entitled to a car. He will have to give up his mobility payment for this.

@Purplebunnie

I work in the counter compliance and fraud department at DWP. You may have a moral obligation to report but you will not lose your job if you don't. This is a ridiculous thing to claim will happen.

So stop reporting then, and do something else with your time, something beneficial. If there was any wrongdoing going on, it would have been dealt with. So the fact that nothing has changed, should tell you all you need to know.

But that doesn’t make it ok to do just because thousands of others are. Imagine how much better our country would be if we only gave money to those that genuinely need it and not the thousands fraudulently claiming

Yes, report

The thing is, PIP is almost impossible to obtain if you don't maximise every little thing. He may be boasting about it but really he should be outraged that it's so difficult to get.

Is he neurodivergent and not realising that so many people are against the welfare state? It probably doesn't occur to him that people would be vile enough to report a person who obviously has very serious mental health problems. I think you'd be extremely mean to report him when really you know nothing of his day to day struggles. You are only seeing a very small slice of his life.

And if you spend time on here you posted knowing full well that you would receive validation and then you could report him with a clear conscience. (So do try to be a bit more self aware.) So I'm here to say shame on you for even thinking it.

You should lose your job.

I work for a bank. If I knew somebody was defrauding the bank and I didn't report it, it would show a lack of integrity and I would be deemed unsuitable for employment.