Page 9 | 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?

Praying4Peace · 20/02/2025 15:43

Personally, I wouldn't report him. I know of people who are cheating the system and their sense of entitlement is mind blowing. It really infuriates me, as someone who has worked for everything they have but I try to put it to one side.
I am totally supportive of people getting benefits to support when their situation warrants it but there are too many people who abuse the system. I know of someone who sought expert advice on the right things to write on application form.
Let's not pretend that benefit abuse isn't real. AHHHHHHHHHHHH

Praying4Peace · 20/02/2025 15:48

PandoraSox · 20/02/2025 11:54

If he gets this car I think he'll become even more unbearable

If he has no physical issues @GreatAmberSnake he won't be getting the higher rate mobility component so won't qualify to lease a car from Motability. I hope that sets your mind at rest.

I am so sorry you have to endure his boasting about fraudulently claiming.

There are so many mumsnetters who have relatives/friends/neighbours/hairdressers/plumbers/sister's husband's cousin's wives who openly boast about defrauding the benefits system. It is quite astounding.

Edited

Thank you. I know of someone who admits that she has exaggerated her whiplash injury to successfully get a mobility car. The same person gets DLA and is a regular visitor to an overseas holiday resort that I visit. She is considered a regular there and has no obvious mobility issues. The system is being abused. Meanwhile, there are struggling families having to work OT to keep the boat afloat

x2boys · 20/02/2025 15:59

Julen7 · 20/02/2025 15:38

@Miley1967 despite your saying that you see people like this every week in your job, there is flat out denial by many posters that anyone ever exaggerates or lies about their conditions.

There are many people that exaggerate and lie about their conditions I see it daily on a DLA Facebook group I'm on ,people putting in claims for very tenuous reasons
Most don't actually succeed though as they don't have evidence to back up what they are saying.

Tabitha1960 · 20/02/2025 16:01

It's a lie to say that PIP is hard to get. It is if you are claiming for something physical as you have to be assessed physically.

But for mental health things, you just tell a doctor and the doc writes it down in an answer to the PIP assessor and bob's your uncle. This is what you cousin has done.

I was once attacked by someone who claimed Sickness Benefit as well as PIP for anxiety and depression. His FB and Twitter feed were filled with endless photos of him smiling and happy, flying all over the world on pleasure trips, staying in the best hotels and eating at top restaurants. It wound me up so much that I collected all the evidence in screen shots and spent two days writing a long report to the fraud department.

If he's so "anxious" that he cannot hold down a job, how can he be jetsetting all over the world with a big fat self satisfied smile on his face?

They completely and utterly ignored my letter, and five years on he's still living on benefits and enjoying exotic holidays.

So, don't bother.

x2boys · 20/02/2025 16:10

Tabitha1960 · 20/02/2025 16:01

It's a lie to say that PIP is hard to get. It is if you are claiming for something physical as you have to be assessed physically.

But for mental health things, you just tell a doctor and the doc writes it down in an answer to the PIP assessor and bob's your uncle. This is what you cousin has done.

I was once attacked by someone who claimed Sickness Benefit as well as PIP for anxiety and depression. His FB and Twitter feed were filled with endless photos of him smiling and happy, flying all over the world on pleasure trips, staying in the best hotels and eating at top restaurants. It wound me up so much that I collected all the evidence in screen shots and spent two days writing a long report to the fraud department.

If he's so "anxious" that he cannot hold down a job, how can he be jetsetting all over the world with a big fat self satisfied smile on his face?

They completely and utterly ignored my letter, and five years on he's still living on benefits and enjoying exotic holidays.

So, don't bother.

Edited

It's not that simple as it would be all patient says they want proper evidence
So if someone is claiming for mental health issues, do they see a CPN
Have they been seen by the crisis team
In patient admission, s etc.

scanni · 20/02/2025 16:11

But for mental health things, you just tell a doctor and the doc writes it down in an answer to the PIP assessor and bob's your uncle.

Lets all do it and report back in a years time, see how accurate this comment is

x2boys · 20/02/2025 16:11

Praying4Peace · 20/02/2025 15:48

Thank you. I know of someone who admits that she has exaggerated her whiplash injury to successfully get a mobility car. The same person gets DLA and is a regular visitor to an overseas holiday resort that I visit. She is considered a regular there and has no obvious mobility issues. The system is being abused. Meanwhile, there are struggling families having to work OT to keep the boat afloat

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She wouldn't get HRM for whiplash.

LadyKenya · 20/02/2025 16:16

Miley1967 · 20/02/2025 15:40

Oh yes absolutely. People always quote this figures of 0.000001 % PIp benefit fraud or whatever it is . Absolute nonsense ! The genuine people are getting knocked back and the pisstakers are laughing at us.

Edited

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With your expert help, no doubt🤔.

PandoraSox · 20/02/2025 16:18

Praying4Peace · 20/02/2025 15:48

Thank you. I know of someone who admits that she has exaggerated her whiplash injury to successfully get a mobility car. The same person gets DLA and is a regular visitor to an overseas holiday resort that I visit. She is considered a regular there and has no obvious mobility issues. The system is being abused. Meanwhile, there are struggling families having to work OT to keep the boat afloat

Show quote history

There are a few things that puzzle me about your post. How old is your friend? How long has she been getting DLA for? What is a mobility car?

x2boys · 20/02/2025 16:20

PandoraSox · 20/02/2025 16:18

There are a few things that puzzle me about your post. How old is your friend? How long has she been getting DLA for? What is a mobility car?

Show quote history

Yeah it's clear some posters don't know the process and are just making stuff up!

LadyKenya · 20/02/2025 16:21

Tabitha1960 · 20/02/2025 16:01

It's a lie to say that PIP is hard to get. It is if you are claiming for something physical as you have to be assessed physically.

But for mental health things, you just tell a doctor and the doc writes it down in an answer to the PIP assessor and bob's your uncle. This is what you cousin has done.

I was once attacked by someone who claimed Sickness Benefit as well as PIP for anxiety and depression. His FB and Twitter feed were filled with endless photos of him smiling and happy, flying all over the world on pleasure trips, staying in the best hotels and eating at top restaurants. It wound me up so much that I collected all the evidence in screen shots and spent two days writing a long report to the fraud department.

If he's so "anxious" that he cannot hold down a job, how can he be jetsetting all over the world with a big fat self satisfied smile on his face?

They completely and utterly ignored my letter, and five years on he's still living on benefits and enjoying exotic holidays.

So, don't bother.

Edited

How do you know that your letter outlining all his activities was ignored? How do you know that they did not look into his claim, following your helpful tip off, and found nothing wrong? Those two days spent detailing his movements did nothing to benefit you at all.

dizzydizzydizzy · 20/02/2025 16:22

I just don't understand how anyone can claim Pip fraudulently. Absolutely every claim on your application is checked and double-checked. Even with doctors letters stating how difficult your life is, they tend not to believe you.

PandoraSox · 20/02/2025 16:23

scanni · 20/02/2025 16:11

But for mental health things, you just tell a doctor and the doc writes it down in an answer to the PIP assessor and bob's your uncle.

Lets all do it and report back in a years time, see how accurate this comment is

Well quite. If it was that easy, there would be a lot more than 3.6 million claiming PIP.

bigkahunaburger · 20/02/2025 16:26

Hang on...are people saying that the cheaters go to A&E and pretend to be ill? To what end? To have a letter that said you attended but you are fine???
Also, if you are getting PIP for mental health alone, the 'evidence' wont just be GP appointments, it would also be psych/counsellor appts, peer support worker (if you have one), social worker (if you have one), prove of psych meds taken, and any crisis mental health appts if there have been any. I think someone would have to be quite the oscar winning actress to go around faking all those on a weekly basis wouldnt they?
All those saying its so easy - like one GP appt where you fake cry and one PIP telephone assessment and BOOM you have PIP for mental health are completely misinformed. It really is desperately hard to get even with all the evidence I said above, and usually knocked back first time, goes to MR, then tribunal. Which when you have mental health issues is absolutely brutal.

I wish people had more compassion and understanding.

Id really like the A&E nurse to explain more about what she means about people lying and pretending to be dying for PIP. That makes zero sense. PLease explain?

Sheeparelooseagain · 20/02/2025 16:27

"Thank you. I know of someone who admits that she has exaggerated her whiplash injury to successfully get a mobility car. "

A whiplash injury won't get you a motability car on DLA.

PandoraSox · 20/02/2025 16:27

Tabitha1960 · 20/02/2025 16:01

It's a lie to say that PIP is hard to get. It is if you are claiming for something physical as you have to be assessed physically.

But for mental health things, you just tell a doctor and the doc writes it down in an answer to the PIP assessor and bob's your uncle. This is what you cousin has done.

I was once attacked by someone who claimed Sickness Benefit as well as PIP for anxiety and depression. His FB and Twitter feed were filled with endless photos of him smiling and happy, flying all over the world on pleasure trips, staying in the best hotels and eating at top restaurants. It wound me up so much that I collected all the evidence in screen shots and spent two days writing a long report to the fraud department.

If he's so "anxious" that he cannot hold down a job, how can he be jetsetting all over the world with a big fat self satisfied smile on his face?

They completely and utterly ignored my letter, and five years on he's still living on benefits and enjoying exotic holidays.

So, don't bother.

Edited

But for mental health things, you just tell a doctor and the doc writes it down in an answer to the PIP assessor and bob's your uncle. This is what you cousin has done

Another one who has no clue. Doctors don't write anything "in answer to the PIP assessor".

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 20/02/2025 16:29

Tulipsandaffodils · 20/02/2025 10:00

Something isn’t right here. PiP is very hard to get and needs medical evidence. So either the cousin is winding the op up as he knows she’s judgey, or there is more to his illness than she knows.

I think this post probably nails it

DoodleSquad · 20/02/2025 16:30

Greeherbs · 20/02/2025 14:31

It’s always very amusing when someone reports for wrongdoing without having any of the facts about the claim. That might explain why nothing has been done.

Exactly my point earlier in the thread! Thank you for re-iterating it 😊

PandoraSox · 20/02/2025 16:30

All you people making stuff up should be ashamed. You disgust me.

Remember this. By the law of averages some of you will end up disabled and needing help. You will find out just how shit it can be.

bigkahunaburger · 20/02/2025 16:31

PandoraSox · 20/02/2025 16:30

All you people making stuff up should be ashamed. You disgust me.

Remember this. By the law of averages some of you will end up disabled and needing help. You will find out just how shit it can be.

Here here. Im appalled by this thread. Especially by the people who allegedly work in this field (like me). Shame on you.

DoodleSquad · 20/02/2025 16:31

Tabitha1960 · 20/02/2025 16:01

It's a lie to say that PIP is hard to get. It is if you are claiming for something physical as you have to be assessed physically.

But for mental health things, you just tell a doctor and the doc writes it down in an answer to the PIP assessor and bob's your uncle. This is what you cousin has done.

I was once attacked by someone who claimed Sickness Benefit as well as PIP for anxiety and depression. His FB and Twitter feed were filled with endless photos of him smiling and happy, flying all over the world on pleasure trips, staying in the best hotels and eating at top restaurants. It wound me up so much that I collected all the evidence in screen shots and spent two days writing a long report to the fraud department.

If he's so "anxious" that he cannot hold down a job, how can he be jetsetting all over the world with a big fat self satisfied smile on his face?

They completely and utterly ignored my letter, and five years on he's still living on benefits and enjoying exotic holidays.

So, don't bother.

Edited

Again, with respect, how do you know he claims this?

JohnTheRevelator · 20/02/2025 16:32

I would just like to point out that if you are in receipt of PIP,you don't get 'given' a car. The rental of the car is deducted from your monthly PIP payment and from what I understand,it's quite a substantial chunk. I've lost count of the number of times I've heard people saying that if you're on PIP,you get given a car.

LadyKenya · 20/02/2025 16:32

Id really like the A&E nurse to explain more about what she means about people lying and pretending to be dying for PIP. That makes zero sense. PLease explain?

I would be surprised if there is any rational explanation for what that poster wrote. So much nonsense is being spouted by some posters, it is just laughable.

Praying4Peace · 20/02/2025 16:36

PandoraSox · 20/02/2025 16:18

There are a few things that puzzle me about your post. How old is your friend? How long has she been getting DLA for? What is a mobility car?

Show quote history

Hi, the person is not my friend. Estimated age, early 50s.
DLA for approx 20 years and the car is provided for her insurance and tax free. Is allowed a new one every 3 years

x2boys · 20/02/2025 16:37

JohnTheRevelator · 20/02/2025 16:32

I would just like to point out that if you are in receipt of PIP,you don't get 'given' a car. The rental of the car is deducted from your monthly PIP payment and from what I understand,it's quite a substantial chunk. I've lost count of the number of times I've heard people saying that if you're on PIP,you get given a car.

Yeah you have to be in receipt of HRM first of all which isn't easy to get and they take it off the total award to pay for the car.