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Original poster

I'm jealous of my benefit fraud friend

97 replies

MorningCoffees2 · 29/07/2025 10:09

I know this is stupid, but it's occupying my thoughts more than it should. Me and my friend both work hard, I work in a legal job where I pay tax etc and get nothing from the government. He gets full universal credits as he is officially unemployed, however he also works aound 40 hours in a restaurant. He gets around £1000/month from UC plus maybe £1700 in pay from his job. His hourly pay is less than mine, but I have to pay tax, national insurance and I get no help from the government. I know I get holiday and sick pay, but it doesn't feel like it really makes up for our difference in income.

He's 27 and absolutely minted. He has so much disposable income, he thought nothing of buying the latest iPhone, whereas my phone is old and crap, my colthes are old and even when they were 'new' to me, they were actually second hand.

I couldn't do what he is doing because I would find it too stressful, but he has no issues with it. He's not stressed, he's very happy, he's rich...

The only downside I can see is that he might get caught, but that's pretty unlikely. It just feels so unfair.

OP posts:
3luckystars · 29/07/2025 10:11

Is he getting £1700 a week or a month for
the restaurant work?

BIWI · 29/07/2025 10:13

I know this is stupid

Opening words nail it.

And welcome to Mumsnet.

LoisGriffinskitchen · 29/07/2025 10:13

He’s working cash in hand then and tbh that amount seems very high. How is he doing that while attending job centre appointments etc.

OverlyFragrant · 29/07/2025 10:13

I'm calling bullshit

3luckystars · 29/07/2025 10:13

Stay in your own lane. There are drug dealers weaning £10k per week and some people earning £100k per week. Don’t let it get to you.

At least you are being honest in your dealings.

summerskyblue · 29/07/2025 10:14

Here we go...

Another benefit bashing post about a 'friend'.

I have never come across anyone in my 54 years on this earth who so readily shares the minute details of their finances with their friends.

Yet, here you are knowing the amount that individual supposedly get in benefits and all the details of his salary...

Also nobody who is 'rich' would be working in a restaurant for what is usual minimum wage.

Added to the 'it never happened' pile.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 29/07/2025 10:15

If you're genuinely in possession of all of these facts, then report him for benefit fraud.

And report his employer.

AnSolas · 29/07/2025 10:16

He is stealing £1000 of your tax which is taken from your wage.

And you are ok with having that happen.

Ok then.......

Julen7 · 29/07/2025 10:16

UC will catch up with him when they do one of their “reviews” so don’t worry

x2boys · 29/07/2025 10:17

MorningCoffees2 · 29/07/2025 10:09

I know this is stupid, but it's occupying my thoughts more than it should. Me and my friend both work hard, I work in a legal job where I pay tax etc and get nothing from the government. He gets full universal credits as he is officially unemployed, however he also works aound 40 hours in a restaurant. He gets around £1000/month from UC plus maybe £1700 in pay from his job. His hourly pay is less than mine, but I have to pay tax, national insurance and I get no help from the government. I know I get holiday and sick pay, but it doesn't feel like it really makes up for our difference in income.

He's 27 and absolutely minted. He has so much disposable income, he thought nothing of buying the latest iPhone, whereas my phone is old and crap, my colthes are old and even when they were 'new' to me, they were actually second hand.

I couldn't do what he is doing because I would find it too stressful, but he has no issues with it. He's not stressed, he's very happy, he's rich...

The only downside I can see is that he might get caught, but that's pretty unlikely. It just feels so unfair.

Why why why ,would a friend openly admit to benefit fraud 🤔

Original poster
MorningCoffees2 · 29/07/2025 10:18

3luckystars · 29/07/2025 10:11

Is he getting £1700 a week or a month for
the restaurant work?

£1700 a month. So take home pay of £2700/month (earnings plus UC). That's more than I get.

OP posts:
PandoraSocks · 29/07/2025 10:19

He's 27 and absolutely minted. He has so much disposable income, he thought nothing of buying the latest iPhone, whereas my phone is old and crap, my colthes are old and even when they were 'new' to me, they were actually second hand

I couldn't do what he is doing because I would find it too stressful, but he has no issues with it. He's not stressed, he's very happy, he's rich...

I fear you may be in danger of overegging your pudding.

PandoraSocks · 29/07/2025 10:20

Julen7 · 29/07/2025 10:16

UC will catch up with him when they do one of their “reviews” so don’t worry

I'd venture they'll have a job finding him in fairyland.

Overthebow · 29/07/2025 10:21

MorningCoffees2 · 29/07/2025 10:18

£1700 a month. So take home pay of £2700/month (earnings plus UC). That's more than I get.

Show quote history

£2700 isn’t rich. It may be more then you get but you have job security, holiday pay, sick pay, pension contributions and presumably career progression. You will be in a much better position long term and will be able to save for a house deposit and have security. Benefit fraud is wrong though so if he is doing this then report him.

bananafake · 29/07/2025 10:21

I khow does happen from two definite instances. I believe in benefits for the vulnerable but I don't think I could remain friends with your mate as our values are too different. He's not a single parent desperately trying to make ends meet.

I'd be tempted to report him.

Ponoka7 · 29/07/2025 10:21

He actually gets £400 from UC, the rest is for his landlord. He is gaining big gaps on his CV and UC will be getting him onto training courses or sanctioning him. He might actually be better declaring his income and getting NI credits. But I doubt the employer wants this, they would havetosort a pension etc. That's the issue, so does he live in poverty or go with it?

Original poster
MorningCoffees2 · 29/07/2025 10:22

LoisGriffinskitchen · 29/07/2025 10:13

He’s working cash in hand then and tbh that amount seems very high. How is he doing that while attending job centre appointments etc.

He works nights. He starts at 5/6/7pm and ends at 2 or 3 in the morning.

OP posts:
pointythings · 29/07/2025 10:23

Be angry with his employer for cheating the system. If businesses didn't do this, we wouldn't have such a bad black market economy problem. I favour hitting employers - because they are minting it whilst exploiting their workers. Weirdly, nobody who posts this goady benefit bashing crap ever mentions that.

x2boys · 29/07/2025 10:24

PandoraSocks · 29/07/2025 10:20

I'd venture they'll have a job finding him in fairyland.

Show quote history

🤣🤣🤣🤣

lovemeblender · 29/07/2025 10:26

You are jealous of someone who is committing illegal activity over the sake of a new iPhone? YABU. He is either claiming he's unable to work due to sickness, or he's a carer with no work commitments, as if he was a job seeker there's no way he could hold down a full time job, you have weekly meetings with your work coach. It will catch up with him eventually OP, better to be able to sleep at night than to have more money in the short term for extra clothes.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 29/07/2025 10:27

MorningCoffees2 · 29/07/2025 10:18

£1700 a month. So take home pay of £2700/month (earnings plus UC). That's more than I get.

Show quote history

So you have two choices.

One is to report him and his employer.

The other is to accept it and focus on improving your own income.

There is no point in moaning about or feeling jealous if you aren't going to do anything about it. Move on!

Original poster
MorningCoffees2 · 29/07/2025 10:29

Ponoka7 · 29/07/2025 10:21

He actually gets £400 from UC, the rest is for his landlord. He is gaining big gaps on his CV and UC will be getting him onto training courses or sanctioning him. He might actually be better declaring his income and getting NI credits. But I doubt the employer wants this, they would havetosort a pension etc. That's the issue, so does he live in poverty or go with it?

He hs been on training courses, don't know the details of them but they didn't seem particularly intensive. I don't uderstand your question at the end, he doesn't live in poverty.

OP posts:
OccasionalHope · 29/07/2025 10:30

If you don’t want to report him directly, report the restaurant to HMRC. Your friend is probably not the only employee they’re not paying NI and minimum wage for,

LittleMissLateForWorkAgain · 29/07/2025 10:30

So the restaurant is cash in hand work? Because I haven't heard of anyone doing that for about 15 years. If it isn't his wages go into a bank account and are taxed too and UC are informed monthly of the claimant s wage and circumstances.

He will get caught and end up with a caution on record (harder to get a job) and have to pay it back.

Maybe he's not telling you the truth and boasting about it? (Why?)

I wouldn't envy him. I d hate to live under the constant threat of having money stopped.

Ironically if he's on minimum wage he might be entitled to a small UC top up legally.

stopringingme · 29/07/2025 10:30

If he keeps on telling people about it someone will report him for benefit fraud, his employer will also get in trouble for I assume not paying him through the books, so he will end up unemployed and skint.

You could always report him as he is in effect taking off of you as you are a taxpayer.

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