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

Just because she's a mother it doesn't mean she gets a free pass on fraud. That's mine and your tax going to someone who potentially shouldn't have it, and times who knows how many others that people turn a blind eye to because they're mothers, poor things. I don't know when benefit fraud became OK, we all end up paying for it.

What is wrong with you?

No!! Why would you? Leave her alone to look after your children! Why would you want to see her struggle so much

Personally I would report it.

I’m not sure why so many people think ‘just leave it’ and the tax payer can fund her.

You can do it anonymously online.

I just think a quick nudge to her to let her know he’s aware would make her do the right thing without getting into trouble.

If a neighbour was working cash in hand but also claiming benefits would you think that was ok?

I shop lifting?

Its still stealing

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?

You would be able to submit your own bank statements, that would not be illegal.

How much money are we talking about here?

How do you know she's not entitled to it?

Its really rare to pay spousal maintenance these days. Is it court ordered?

UC check bank statements any way so I'm not sure how she would get away with claiming it if she's not entitled

You can't disclose her bank statements if you have them only as part of the family court disclosures. You can disclose your own to anyone you like.

As others say, child maintenance doesn't count towards UC. Spousal maintenance does.

Be aware that lots of people are entitled to some element of UC despite on the face of it appearing like they ought not to. Unless you're familiar with all of the facts of the claim it's easy to misunderstand it if you're not part of it.

What makes you so sure she isn’t declaring the spousal maintenance to UC? It’d be very obvious it’s you reporting her after that call so id make damn sure you are right before reporting her. Child maintenance isn’t included and spousal is deducted but she can claim UC while receiving both.

Spousal maintenance is less usual now but fifteen years ago (when the OP started paying and when he would have received his financial order) it was actually pretty common.

Maybe because he/she is worried about being complicit if there was a fraud?

Stop making it a matter of ‘hate’, it’s so lazy and boring

How exactly could he be complicit? He hasn’t claimed UC and they are divorced.

Wow so many posters condoning fraud. Hey people your taxes are paying that when it sounds like her ex has provided for her all these years. If she is not entitled to it it should stop.

Well do you want to be financially entangled with somebody who may be fraudulent?

It really won't effect them they are complying with a court order

I'm with the posters against fraud!

I cannot believe how many people turn a blind eye to tax / benefit fraud on mumsnet. The culture of 'not dobbing in' seems strong than the culture of 'doing the right thing'. It is NOT okay for people to misrepresent themselves and receive more money from the government, whether that's doing cash in hand jobs or claiming too much benefits.

However, how you tackle this OP is a sticky situation and you've got to be thinking about all the consequences, eg your day-to-day relationship with your kids etc. And, if you started paying 15 years ago, there can't be many more years to go?

Others have advised on legality (share your own bank statements) but you may be surprised how much people can claim legitimately and it could all be above board. In theory, yes report. In practice - tricky!

How the hell do you know that she's claiming UC or how much she gets?

You sound a right nasty piece of work

I have absolutely no idea why so many people are having a go at the op and are happy with his ex defrauding the tax payer?!?

What is going on that I've missed?

I wouldn't report them.

I Get spousal maintenance. I looked up once off the back of a thread on here and was amazed to see that I would be eligible for almost exactly the same amount in UC if I didn't get it!

Utterly baffled by so many people condoning fraud (not enough info to know if the OPs ex wife actually is).
Pretty sure most people would rather their tax money went to legitimate claims.

You are bitter @Firemanswife
and I suspect jealous that your ex has as much as she has p.

Never mind that CM is forvtye dcs really.
Or that you trying to put her in the shit financially will have a huge impact on YOUR children.

Id strongly advise counselling to work through your feelings of inadequacy and vengeance with a therapist.

This thread proves who claims fraudulently and who doesn’t I think.

The problem here isn’t that the OP wants to tell DWP about a POTENTIAL fraudulent claim.

It’s the reason why he is doing it.
It’s the fact he has no consideration for his own children who will pay the price. Even if the ex was actually totally in her right to claim(stress for the mother, risk of benefits being stopped until the investigation is done etc….)
Otsctye fact he isn’t doing that because he is worried about money not going to the right people. It’s because it’s an issue with vengeance and being spiteful.

Its not an issue with condoning fraud.