To report benefit fraud?

[DylanKeogh]

I work for a charity who support a vulnerable subsect of people. I've been asked to support a person who cares for a vulnerable individual to complete PIP review paperwork. The PIP review was for HIM not the vulnerable person.

I have completed the review form filling in details that he asked me to. Handily for him, he had all his PIP and DLA applications dating back to 1997 (that I could see, maybe earlier).

I had to paraphrase the 2016 application so his disabilities and care needs looked consistent. The version of events given in 2016 did not match the person our charity has been supporting for a while now. For example, 'cannot leave the house without his son for support.' He doesn't speak to his son. His kids haven't spoken to him for years he frequently claims. 'Cannot walk more than 10m without stopping and not at all without a stick.' We've never seen a stick and our building he visits weekly is more than 10m away from his car, and of course more than 10m in length. There was not a stick on show in the house, nor one by the front door. He showed me photos of a day out last weekend that "was a huge place to walk around." No stick in the photos!

I did say at the time that I was just going to have to copy the previous application or it will look like he's been miraculously cured. He agreed to it. I felt dreadful at the time as I'm thinking he is bare faced lying. I said to my Dad that I've lied terribly. He said I hadn't lied as they weren't my words, nor was it my signature.

Do I forget about it? Everybody is entitled to do what they want, not my place to judge. I did the job I'm paid to do and if he wants to commit benefit fraud, that's on him?

Or do I have a moral obligation to report people who are dishonestly depriving the state and tax payers? I support so many people who genuinely have never and don't believe they should claim benefits. They really do struggle.

YABU - Keep your sticky beak out

YANBU - Report away, it looks like he's been taking money for almost 30yrs!

It specifically says on the form did anyone help you with this form name, address and contact number. So your details are on the form i cant believe you would put yourself in a position like this especially since everything you have written wont be usuable as you havent read the renewal which specifically states only send new information since last assessment. Now your writing about it on the Internet. You need to either admit to your boss how badly you've messed up and how you cant manage to read and fill out a form alone. Or you need to admit you made the whole thread up as their hasnt been a benefit bashing thread today. Either way you just look stupid at this point

PIP assessor here 👋

Can confirm, the “my worst day” myth is false and that the form (and any subsequent interview) is based on the majority of days. We can generally spot the exaggerators a mile off; they tend to make lots of small errors in what they’re saying which leads to inconsistencies that they can’t account for.

Regarding the CAB/welfare rights charities who help with claims, I couldn’t tell you how many claimants I’ve had who’ve had their form filled in by an advisor and when I’ve asked them about a condition they’ve listed, they have no idea what I’m talking about. “What’s neuropathy? Is that to do with my depression? I don’t know, they filled it in, I just signed it”. Happens all the time.

But that’s why we have a process in place to verify what people are saying.

As a pip assessor can you please clarify to everyone on here pip isnt as easy to get as some make out.

Wouldn’t you be committing a breach of confidentiality if you are paid to support this family. I would advise you to speak to your manager first for advice

I always ask people to read through what I have written to check they are happy with it but most don't want to ! It does concern me that I could misinterpret what someone has said. Pleased to hear that you check thoroughly and explore further what has been written.
At the end of the day we can only write down what the claimant says and try to word it and prompt them to expand on their answers and give examples. They are signing the form and there is a PIP assessment to clarify anything that needs clarification !
Personally I worry more about the Attendance Allowance form - rarely an assessment, based entirely on a form and supported often by just a GP summary which barely gives any backing up of what an applicant can and cannot actually do. At least with PIP the medical evidence has to be robust or it just won't be awarded.

I have no doubt the OP isn’t being fully honest here…

mots the height of unprofessional behaviour to do what you have alleged to have done.

I just have to say - separately - it’s Motability not Motorbility ffs!! And the mobility comping of DLA or PIP is swapped in its entirety for the leased vehicle from Motability not in addition to DLA.