To report this as benefit fraud

[ClareClareClareClare]

A relative is claiming benefits, can’t work due to health but is one of those who is always complaining about something wrong with her but is always able to do the things she wants to do. Can holiday abroad, always down the gym, etc. When she was working she was always making complaints against employers- one of life’s victims.

She sold a property a couple of years ago and has squirrelled about £40k away through investments. I think has got her mother to do this for her.

I’m so fed up of seeing people like her take the piss. I 100% support a welfare system and it really pisses me off to see it abused like this. And meanwhile we are working our arses off and not able to afford the foreign travel and gym memberships.

I’m so tempted to report her secret savings to DWP.

not exactly. Posters are highlighting that not all benefits are means tested and that your relative may not be abusing the system.
for all your info on money hidden away, you don’t appear to know which benefit is being claimed…

I’m not really bothered if a certain type of person wants to flame me for being unhappy at benefit fraud. It’s themselves who should be ashamed if they support it.

What's in your nature is seemingly a bit flexible.

Perhaps if you were more financially literate you would see that the real villains are the super rich, not people you happen to be pathetically jealous of.

Not your business. Go and start one.

I 100% support those who claim genuinely. Our welfare system is something to be proud of. If you need it and claim it appropriately then I 100% support it.

Oh I’m totally aware that the super wealthy are the enemy not the poor.

Can’t this thread just be left to die? OP has decided what he/she will do.

No. I think the inefficient taxation of the super rich affects the tax payer far more.

.

PIP is not means tested.

So focus there then.

No, there would be no fraud there because the claimant was never given the money. Its perfectly lawful to choose not to gift someone part of your own inheritance for whatever reason you choose. In this case, the OPs relative owned £40k as a result of her house sale and has chosen to give it away. Whether it's real, or in name only, whether it was done to retain benefit entitlement or because she simply wanted to gift her mother, she can't dispose of an asset that was hers and would have kept her off benefits and then claim benefits.

What’s your point here?

You don’t think claimants should be questioned on their eligibility to claim? Or you think reporting is unkind? Or this particular thread has annoyed you?

CBA, really. The fact that she could be on non-means tested benefits and the OP is only angry because she resents somebody else appearing to have a nicer life than hers is escaping some.

Reminds me of my ex practically frothing at the mouth at the idea of my receiving benefits and informing me triumphantly that he'd reported me and would continue to report me until I was arrested because I was 'stealing from the public purse and hardworking taxpayer'. I wasn't even claiming anything, but he was absolutely convinced I had to be.

I do wonder from time to time whether he's still wasting his life reporting me for non-existent fraud.

I would report and have done before. SIL was claiming she was a lone parent, she wasn't. BIL was earning over 1k a week ( trade), she was getting lone parents, rent paid, medical card, back to school allowance, the works. Needed a new washing machine, fridge, buggy she got it of the social. Never worked a day in her life and had tonnes of help from her family. Meanwhile myself and DH were working our asses of to pay mortgage, car, medical etc with no family help.

She was never investigated. They were able to buy a 400k house with a deposit of over 150k. After she secured the house she thought she was great that she decided to give her social welfare books back. It was like we should all be proud of her. 12 years of having her rent and expenses paid by the tax payer. It's wrong.

If more people reported it there would be less occurrences of things like this happening, she is not a productive member of society, she is a drain on society and others are funding her lifestyle

I’m not sure really.
I think I’ve hit a sore spot which I was oblivious too as don’t generally use these areas of the forum.
I’m guessing claimants are currently taking a bashing? But I’m not bashing claimants. I’m 100% in support of benefits for those who meet criteria.

If this person has savings like that and she/he gives the money to their Mother it could be deprivation of capital and that can affect benefits.
Report if you feel that badly about it, but then forget it and let the fraud department at DWP deal with it. Get on with your own life then.

Suppose you tell them you’re going to report them and then realise that their benefits are entirely legit. What then?

Have you read “How to win friends and influence people?”

You don’t have to prove when you report.
you make a report and it is investigated.
There would be deeds of sale etc held in record.
I wouldn’t be expected to conduct the investigated.
Uncurl.

So agree with you.

Benefits are there to support the most vulnerable people in society. Also to support people on a temporary basis when they're between jobs or too sick to work.

I work with vulnerable people who have to claim benefits in order to survive. I encourage them to establish a routine, move on to doing some voluntary work, gaining work-related skills & basic qualifications. I don't accept the 'I'll never work' narrative' - even if it takes several years to get them there. I've had people who were street homeless & substance abusers stop me in the street or serve me in a shop telling me what a difference I made to their lives & how well they getting on.

Such a satisfying job.