Mother and benefits

[beta2]

Brother’s ex has to leave the jurisdiction for the next few months.
They have 3 children who she is leaving with brother who usually has 50/50 shared care.
She currently doesnt work and claims all benefits for children
Her parents are babysitting one/ two nights per week while brother works as are my family helping out when can.
Brothers ex claims benefits and has showed no indication she is passing on to brother or even cancelling as surely her claiming for children in her care when not caring for them is fraudulent? Iv never claimed benefits nor has anyone in family so please correct if wrong.
We are in uk

Have they asked you to look into this on their behalf?

Yes. As he asked mother who was covering rent utilities etc while away and she replied her benefits.

If she is away for more than a set time she has to tell them she’s going away. As far as the kids are concerned, if they are with him full time he needs to claim child benefits

https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad/universal-credit

More than a month? A universal credit claim will end unless specified reasons. See the link.

Yes maybe still claim for herself but its not clear if she should still be claiming for her children if she is not actually caring for them. Surely not

The way you’ve phrased this with ‘having to leave the jurisdiction’ sounds like she’s either going to prison or is entering rehab? If so there would be ways for the children’s dad to temporarily claim the child benefit, her rent will be covered if in receipt of housing benefit but she needs to let them know the property will be unoccupied. Assuming he has parental responsibility and works it’s unlikely her universal credit would be signed over to him though as it’s in her name as a single claimant.