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.

You’d never find out the outcome - so you’re just stirring up trouble because you’re jealous. Ugh.

social welfare books
That must have been a really long time ago. Order books haven't existed for about twenty years.

“can’t work due to health”
what condition has she got? You do know you need evidence including evidence from witnesses to be signed off from work for the unforseeable with regular reviews

”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.”
what did she say was wrong with her and what exactly is she always doing that contradicts that? How often does she go out, to do what and for how long? How does she get to the gym and how often does she go? Is it possible that physio have recommended she uses the gym. Does she ever have to cancel plans?

”When she was working she was always making complaints against employers- one of life’s victims.”
what were the complaints and what were the result of those complaints? How many jobs has she had?

”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.”
is she in charge of her own finances? Did the property belong to her, was it in her name? Why did she sell the property? How was the money invested?

I just needed to remind the OP that PIP is a non means tested benefit which one can claim regardless of income or savings. It is awarded based on a person's disability or health condition and how it affects their daily lives.
I'm always amazed by how open the supposed 'benefits cheats' referenced in these posts are to share their entire medical records and financial statements with the posters, I assume this to be the case if the poster feels qualified to state that they are not medically entitled to benefits.
I have been severely disabled since birth and, shock horror, I sometimes go on holiday so I'm not sure this is the smoking gun the OP thinks it is! Us disabled people are allowed to leave the house occasionally you know, even if we need support to do so.

ANy fraud aside, there is no need to say she is a "drain" or not a productive member of society.
I am unable to work and I claim UC. I already feel like a fucking burden to mankind without comments like yours.

@Hastentoadd work will set you free, eh?????

You have a valid reason for being on benefits, the person the OP is referring to doesn’t …..big difference

Oh right, I'm not in the UK so don't know how benefits there work. But that's ridiculous - surely there are then people (e.g. abusive ex husbands) who would maliciously report someone just to hurt them. Then other people, like the OP, might honestly suspect fraud but not say anything because they're not certain and don't want someone innocent punished.

Crazy system, completely twisted incentives.

I am a taxpayer payer and happy to support people who are in need. Don't let the nasty buggers get you down.

You don’t know that, and neither does the OP. See the problem?

We don’t actually know that there isn’t a valid reason…
op doesn’t know which benefits the relative receives.

I did a similar job for a long time. How is it relevant to the OP's situation?

She can report it and there will be an investigation to determine whether she is entitled

I think the fraud aspect here is that the person OP is referring to has hidden savings.
The fact she goes on holidays and to the gym, and has had issues with ex-employers is just something else entirely and is almost like OP wants to paint a bad picture of this relative.

Sounds like the woman the OP is referring to does not have a valid reason not to work, she sounds fit, able and active

Yes, she can absolutely report it. Not sure why she needs mumsnetters to validate her decision.

And presumably her benefits will be stopped while she's being investigated?

Why, because she goes on holiday etc? Disabled people are allowed to have a life and holiday.

ANy fraud aside, there is no need to say she is a "drain" or not a productive member of society.
I am unable to work and I claim UC. I already feel like a fucking burden to mankind without comments like yours.

You are obviously a genuine claimant to UC.

In my opinion UC fails many very disabled/sick people.

Under the old system, if anyone had the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) & in receipt of Incapacity Benefit, they automatically went into the 'Support Group' which meant DWP would send them a nice letter every so-often asking if they would like to have a meeting with a Jobcentre Work Coach to talk about any work-related activities such as training, education courses etc, but, if not, they were left alone. They also got an extra amount of money. Not so with claimants in receipt of UC & in receipt of enhanced care PIP.

Is this a fact?

I'm sure you have a budding career as a DWP assessor waiting for you.

That’s not what disability is meant to look like though, for the hard of thinking…

”They” should be at home, making craft items from used dressings or something.

Depends why she is not working. OP does not even know what benefits she claims, so it stands to reason that she wont know why she can't work either.
In any case, it is between the relative and the DWP as to why she can't work. It is not up to OP or anyone on here to decide otherwise based on the very limited information. And as had been said by a PP. - you can be disabled and still go to the gym and on holiday.

spends a lot of time at the gym
The OP knows her well so would have mentioned if she had some Physical disability
No harm in reporting suspicious behaviour, it can be investigated and if she is actually entitled the all is fine