Benefit fraud

[Firemanswife]

I've recently become aware (via a court case with my ex wife about finances) that she is claiming universal credit, however looking into this, it seems that this may have been applied for fraudulently, due to the amount of spousal maintenance paid and that this was clearly not declared (this was court ordered by amount)

I pay spousal and child maintenance and have done for the last 15 years for our 4 children and to maintain her 'standard of living'
My question is - if I was to report her for benefit fraud, would I be able to submit the bank statements or would this be illegal?
Thanks
FMW

Child maintenance isn’t considered when making a universal credit claim. I’d be surprised if you actually are paying spousal support.

Why do you hate your ex wife so much that you’re looking for ways to unsettle her life and the lives of your children?

Child maintenance is ignored by UC. Spousal maintenance is treated as unearned income and should be deducted from any UC entitlement £ for £.

Do you not like your children that you want to do this to their mother?

Child maintenance is not counting in income for universal credit

Spousal maintenance is though

How come you ended up paying spousal maintenance? I always thought barely anyone paid it.

Fuck sake man this isn’t a fight to start. Whatever you do to her affects the children too. It’s not all about you

And spousal maintenance is rarely paid. If their lifestyles and earnings are low enough that she claims universal credit, I highly doubt they will be in the category of being awarded spousal too.

I'd say leave it, I understand you're bitter but the more money she has, the better off your kids are. Focus on that and let it go. She's probably doing the bulk of the parenting too.

How much spousal maintenance do you pay?

Why would you want to deny your children money?

I guess if the spousal isn’t being declared I would probably have a bit of an issue paying it, knowing that additional UC was being claimed as a result. I’d probably argue I can stop paying spousal as you have the UC?

We don’t know all the circumstances tbh, but I do think there could be a valid argument here.

@RainingRoses but if she's not declaring it on her UC claim then she's stealing from everyone else by taking money she's not entitled to

If you earn enough to be court awarded spousal maintenance, then it's a big amount she's getting. And she wouldn't have been able to hide that from UC as they will have seen her bank statements.

Why are you so vindictive that you want to report the mother of your children?

If it’s transferred with child maintenance or not specifically labelled spousal maintenance then the mother could say it’s all child maintenance and say they have a private arrangement so UC would be none the wiser.

I didn’t say that it’s ok to do that. I said I highly doubt he is so financially successful to justify paying spousal maintenance considering she has to claim universal credit.

You sound a real prize. Lucky escape for her.

How much are you paying?

But he’s literally said he’s paying SM? So are you saying he’s making that up?

Why on earth would you do that?

Why would you come on to a predominantly mother's forum to get us to agree to reporting the mother of your children and possibly make her life harder/less money and potentially prison?

If you want proper advice I’d maybe just mention it to her, you’re clearly going to do something. See if she’s fine with SM to be stopped paying or reduced (which is clearly what you want) or that you’re aware she’s claiming UC.

If you have no issue paying SM then come on, I would just drop it, if you’re finding it hard to pay it then mention it to her.

Reporting her to the authorities, to me, is the last resort, in fact I just wouldn’t do it at all. But each to their own.

Maybe she has declared it? How much are you paying her a month in total amd how much of that is spousal?

I would pay it in 2 different amounts, referenced spousal/ child. If there is fraud going on it will be picked up .

My question to those saying leave it.

If it's found out later, wouldn't the repercussions be worse?