Sil being a cf

[Hairgician]

So 2 of my dc have recently been prescribed glasses. Eldest just tested yesterday.
As they are under 16 they get them on nhs so at no/low cost depending on frames.
Eldest is excited to get glasses so was texting sil this morning. Within minutes i get a text from her :
Hi dc1 delighted to b getting glasses..ask them for both his and dc3 to get a receipt under my name (not theirs) so I can claim for it for u...tests and glasses. Thanks xo'

This isnt the first time shes asked about it, ive never took it on, ignored it because theres alterior motive here.

Why would she need it when im not paying anyway?

I’ve got a work cash health plan so can claim back costs for eye tests and money towards glasses which is a contribution rather than the full cost.
Unless she wants the receipts to claim back and then give you the cash I don’t see the point in getting paperwork put into her name.
It’s a bit weird OP. Does your SIL wear glasses?

And ive already said to her it was free when she asked before. So no need anyway!

Is she self employed? You can turn in receipts for eye test etc if so. Could she be wanting to do this to lower her VAT bill?

Surely the receipt was issued at the same time the glasses were?

So how would you get hold of an additional receipt in someone elses name?

Did you and your SIL cook this idea up together to try and defraud the insurance scheme but your testing it out on mumsnet first to see if it's doable?

An eye test is not a business expense. You can’t claim that against your tax bill.

If you think she’s talking about making a claim on work health insurance, just say “thanks but no need because they’re free, though even if they weren’t, I wouldn’t want you to commit insurance fraud by claiming for children who aren’t your dependants”

Lol def nope.

Theres nothing to claim anyway.

I don't know what that is either. If it's to do with her private healthcare then I guess she was trying to do you a favour. So I wouldn't be offended by that.

I can't see what else it could be? I guess maybe it's presumptuous for her to assume you couldn't afford it? While obviously not knowing there was no cost attached.

Years ago I used to be in something called Sovereign Healthcare where you paid a small amount from your salary and got money off, or payment for, eye and dental care. I have done a quick search and they still exist but you definitely have to have receipts in your own name.

is she really so thick that she thinks a) children’s glasses and eye tests through the NHS are chargeable and b) the optician would issue a receipt if you had paid in her name?

I think she is suggesting something on this basis.

“Dear SIL, say what? Glasses were free through NHS, not sure what you are asking from us?”

Shes going to claim eye test and prescription glasses, presumably from work?

Did this need a post?! I dont understand....you have said repeatedly there is nothing to claim.as they are free and youve told her no, what did you need us for 😂

I am with Westfield Health. For a monthly subscription my optical, dental etc costs are partially taken care of. I pay, but then I am reimbursed on claiming. Sounds like SIL might have similar.

I am also a bit puzzled.... but you just explain it was free, and that's the end of it.
It doesn't seem to be CF behaviour, just a misunderstanding

I read it as she wants to claim as if she's bought glasses for her kids and she gets the non existent money.

This is one of the most confusing posts in a while.

Yes, and how lovely for everyone

If she wants to “ease the financial side” then it sounds like she wants to claim it through her insurance and then give the money to you, so why’s she being a CF? Or if you don’t know what she means maybe you can ask her

Why not simply respond and ask her what she means.

Dear SIL,
I don’t understand your request for me to tell our dc to get receipts for their new glasses with your name on instead of their own. How and why do you think that’s remotely doable and how is it supposed to benefit you or us ?

Not all frames are free with the NHS. Perhaps the DC would like upgraded versions that cost extra and she's offering to claim for these under some sort of scheme? Either way it's not a good idea, I can't see the opticians going for this and it's fraud.

I have health insurance which I pay for monthly , it covers just my family. If my husband goes to the optician it would cover them too; receipt would have him as the "patient". It makes no sense as they check those things carefully.

👍🏼

I can’t make head nor tail of the post either!

I think it’s fairly standard isn’t it? When my niece got glasses she FaceTimed me so she could show me, it’s all very exciting when you’re 7. I wouldn’t say I was any closer to that niece than any other of my nieces and nephews. She was FaceTiming her grandparents and other Aunties as well.

It sounds like one of those health plans where you pay out for various stuff and claim it back up to a specified amount, so £200 in glasses, £900 dental. That sort of thing. It sounds like she’s genuinely trying to do you a favour; if she’s happy that she won’t be using the glasses allowance, then she’ll let you use it instead. She is being a CF, but not with you (unless she’s thinking that you can split it with her).

Just reply and say thanks very much but they’re free on the NHS so nothing to claim for, and I wouldn’t have you getting into trouble for us anyway! Thanks for the thought though.

Might not be Health Insurance.
Does she run her own business?
If so, might be to claim it's a tax deductible expense.
(she'd account for it as a 'Directors Loan' - ie paid for from her own account so wouldn't matter what account it actually showed on the 'receipt')

ETA - whatever, she's obviously committing some sort of fraud, either accounting or insurance.