WOULD YOU REPORT A FAMILY MEMBER FOR BENEFIT FRAUD??

[wouldyougrass]

Ive known for a while they collect benefit, they have a baby but live at home with parents, in their late 20s

they always moan about their life, but never get anything together or do anything about the way they live, ever since she was pg theyve been going to the housing to be put on the housing list - the babys 4 months now and they still havent been

they sleep ALL day

im 90% sure they recieve benefits, not sure what but theyve mentioned it in the past

he works 3/4 nights a week - cash in hand, off the books

it never bothered me until one of them rang DH last night and was asking him which high definition flat screen TV to buy, hes got £1,500

they dont own theyre own car, even though he drives - they borrow the mums car to 'work' the 3 nights - and moan they cant afford a car

so why not buy a car with the 1500???

would you?

Some people undoubtedtly feel that the law is the law and that's that - which is a point of view. Others might distinguish between the legal and the moral aspects of pretty much anything (laws being quite often unworkable/unnecessary/unjust). And I've just read the OP again and think that there's some justifiable confusion going on here: people who work a few hours a week for a small amount of money are entitled to tax credits and/or additional benefits. Actually, it doesn't have to be that small an amount of money, if you have any DCs and the household income is less than £50K a year, you are entitled to something in the tax credit line - so those of you working and struggling should check it out and see what you can get...
There are differences between tax credits, housing benefit and, for instance, incapacity benefit - if you are claiming the latter then you're saying you are too ill (physically or mentally) to do any work.

I can't believe that you're all complaining about taxpayers' money being spent on the young unemployed with kids. I don't see many threads sounding off about taxpayers' money being used to fund nuclear weapons, arms dealing, politician's private jets/jaunts/luxury lifestyles, urbanisation of all our green spaces, etc etc etc.

And the opinion that non-disabled benefit claimants are all lazy freeloaders really irks me. This couple will get very little indeed esp living at home with a parent, who they are probably still with because it is familiar and they have help with the kid and because they love their mother, probably (why so cynical about the reasons they don't move out?). And so what if they want a big TV. TV is, a lot of the time, the only entertainment people on benefits can afford. Could you live on fifty quid a week? Try it for a while and see if you're still so judgemental afterwards.

Nor do I see how it makes any difference whether they're family or not. In fact, if I knew anyone not related to me who was doing this, I would be even less likely to report them because I would be even less likely to know their personal circumstances. You know, a lot of folk who turn to cash in hand work have reached the point where they literally cannot afford to buy food. Poverty is not a myth in this country.

tams77

someone should do a spoof on that advert for benefit fraud..
show the city slickers and large corporations, politicans cleaning up their style...

if he is on income support he can work 16 hours a week.

wow ... some people are so jealous - what a horrible way to be !!

I dont think it has anything to do with jealousy - its to do with lying and defrauding the state because you are too lazy to get off your arse and work - but expect others to provide a living for you.

why wouldn't you report them ?

LOts of people work bloody hard to keep going - and buy their tellies- why should some others be able to cheat and get money for nothing ?

and I dont care if people think that attitude is 'unattractive' - I think its honest. I pay my tax and insurance and do so willingly to be part of a civilised society that protects vulnerable people. I do not give up a substantial portion of my income so lazy stupid people can sit on their arse and get a free ride.

rant over

The benefit system is all over the place anyway.When i was on dialysis I suddenly got really sick and after many questions and form filling etc dp left his job voluntarily and we were advised to sell our house which we did.We have since learned that had we been smarter we could have kept it!Then the tax credit increased my ctc as i am considered at a disadvantage for getting a job because of my heart their words not mine then 2 yrds later they changed their mind and I owe them £1700

noddy, they cant take it back from you if it was their mistake. Did you keep them up to date with your/dhs circumstances?

I didn't have any change in circumstances.I am unable to work as I am at risk of sudden death(sounds dreadful written down)due to a heart condition.I was alerted to a clause in the form saying that if you are considered at a disadvantage for getting a job tick here I had previously not ticked it.I recieved the money and then a couple of years later was told I wasn't entitled and am now paying it back. I filled out endless forms and an appeal as it was their fault but no luck.I just want it paid tbh.I am just showing that the system is full of errors

What a nightmare for you. I suppose I should have known better, they have had so much bad press.

It was a pain really as I had never thought I wa sentitled to the money but was sent a leaflet about tax credits and illness!

I'm utterly with Tam77.

I feel nothing but sorry for them and their sad life - with a 4 month old TV IS probably their only entertainment - if I was them I wouldn't buy a car (actually I wouldn't have one now if I could borrow one - I really resent having to have a car as it leeches about 300 quid a month in costs)

Trapped in a spare room, ekeing out a living with a very little cash in hand, young baby, young couple, maybe not great prospects

On the up side - no household bills and good family support.

If you're jealous (and I totally understand that as I have a very small TV ) - they are YOUR feelings and you might regret doing something to them and not able to take it back.

Here's a few questions :

When a VAT registered trader does a job for you cheap cash in hand and does not charge you VAT will you contact the authorities?

When a trader is not registered for VAT but you suspect their turnover exceeded the threshold (think it is £61,000)will you dob them in?

When you go to a restaurant and they don't ring the meal up on the till will you dob them in?

There are scams and tax evasion going on all around you and if you are so worried about the impact on the common purse then I suggest you get informed about all the different tax scams and start dobbing people in!!!!

No - it's not as if he's coining it, is it? He might have borrowed the money for the tv for all you know.