Fraudulently Claiming Disability Benefit?

elvis86

sh1305 wrote: »

I know at least 2 people who have been reported for supposedly cheating the system - they were found innocent. They both said it was hell having to prove that they have the needs they say they do.

Where there is suspicion of wrongdoing, it must be investigated. Unfortunately, people WILL abuse the system, therefore people that do need help will have to evidence this. Obviously this process should be made as painless as possible, but at the end of the day we can't just hand out benefits because people say they need them. Unfortunate, but necessary.

Indie_Kid

elvis86 wrote: »

but at the end of the day we can't just hand out benefits because people say they need them. Unfortunate, but necessary.

Er, they don't do this anyway:
Doctors have to be contacted if there isn't enough medical evidence.

AngelBadger

elvis86 wrote: »

If you re-read my post, you'll see that I'm talking hypothetically and not specifically about this blogger's case. As others have said, who knows whether any of that's true. What I'm saying, is that if someone IS living that lifestyle, and claiming benefit for the kind of symptoms described, they are scumbags.:cool:

If this girl is a 'benefit thief' then yes she is a scumbag I agree. I don't necessarily think it's a forgone conclusion that her going to a few social events makes her a fraud though. We just don't know enough to judge. The main thing is that we don't know how often she is attending these social events. If for example she has been to a club twice, shopping once a month (shopping for food I am assuming, is a necessity), she's been on two day trips and in the bbc audience once in the last year. She would have experienced 5 social events over 12 months, not quite every other month. Then the necessity of shopping she makes herself do at a quiet period once per month (less than most). I wouldn't say with that that she couldn't suffer from social anxiety.

But it's ifs, she could very well be a fraud but I don't think the blog is evidence enough to report her. If I had a strong feeling she was, I might (in my better frames of mind) try to find out more information to see if I was correct.

sp1987

You never know if this girl is stating different mental health problems to save any embarassment she may feel with regard to a particular condition. Maybe writing a different diagnosis to what she has makes her feel better if she feels there is stigma attached to one or another. It's only a blog. Plus if she has severe mental health problems it may be pictures of a friend or sister stolen from facebook! Who really knows.

You don't know that she doesn't work full time and just does not want anyone at work knowing she is unwell so writes a blog as an unemployed person.

chinesedeli

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I personally(possibly) know of one person who might be 'cheating the system' (although I am not entirely sure) and afaik she is claiming as a single parent when she has a partner.

You can have a Partner and still claim Income Support!

elfen

If she's lying, it will become obvious.

It however, may just be a front. Like many with MH, we try to hide it. I try to hide mine all the time, but I can't. I try and make myself stick to a routine to keep myself going, but sometimes I can't. Like now, I can't. And it's obvious when I can't

Indie_Kid

sammiedoodle wrote: »

I'd report her, she's probably like half the scrounging work shy layabouts on here, "oh i cant work because I'm so depressed and stressed" or "I have mental health issues" get a grip, just an excuse to not have to work and stay in bed till lunch time!!!

Unless you have any idea what MH issues are really like, back off. We don't know this girl's situation. Do we really know she's telling the truth on her blog? No.

MH issues aren't an excuse. I've been there, done that and almost lost a friend over my MH issues.

elvis86

sh1305 wrote: »

MH issues aren't an excuse. I've been there, done that and almost lost a friend over my MH issues.

I hate to say it, but I don't think it would be a case of "almost lost" if one of my friends quit work and resigned themselves to a life on benefits because they had stress and anxiety. I have been and am, a very supportive friend, but part of that is telling people things they may not want to hear when necessary..:(

littlerat

Ignoring all the bigoted idiots here..

On the surface it does sound like she's probably never bothered come off it, however some people it can be cyclular? Or whatever the word is, ie she may be out all the time for 2 weeks, then spend the next 2 months unable to even get to tescos and living on whatever she has in the cupboards.


elvis86, if one of your friends had severe depression and anxiety and were suicidal then, you'd be the sort to tell them to get over it? You're right, you would lose friends, either they'd luckily talk to someone who made them realise what an idiot you are and stop bothering with you, or they'd have too many "friends" (and I use that word loosely) like you and kill themselves. Same goes for other people on this thread.

SingleSue

sammiedoodle wrote: »

I'd report her, she's probably like half the scrounging work shy layabouts on here, "oh i cant work because I'm so depressed and stressed" or "I have mental health issues" get a grip, just an excuse to not have to work and stay in bed till lunch time!!!

Strangely, my ex husband thought the same (and said it out loud too)...that is until he suffered from depression for the first time in his life.

He soon changed his tune then.

For the record, my depression and breakdown stopped me sleeping, I just couldn't so there was no laying about until lunch time. Mind you, I'm not a good sleeper at the best of times!