Is this fraud? What would you do if so?

NoLogic

My boyfriend works away, in the military. He pays child support direct to his daughters mother, but she also claims from the government, not declaring the money she gets from my boyfriend?

I'm strongly against benefit fraud, and would report it only what would the consequences be on the mother, and how would it knock on onto the daughter?

Thanks

williacg

How can you be certain that she hasn't declared the payments?

NoLogic

He has told me that she doesn't declare the maintence he gives her to the government in order to claim more. However, I read on the directgov website that:

Since 12 April 2010, you can keep all of the maintenance that you are paid without it affecting your benefit entitlement. However, you must continue to tell Jobcentre Plus about any maintenance payments you get.

So I don't see what the benefit of her not declaring them would be, unless that's what she did in the past and he's unaware of the change?

Jeff_Bridges_hair

As above ^^ and also maintenence wont affect her benefits completely you know...

Emmzi

I hope he is keeping a record of what he pays and has evidence in case she tries to say she didn't get it?

Forwandert

I get the feeling theres more to this than your strong beliefs, as stated already it won't affect her benefits so in your situation I would do nothing.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

He tells you what she does? You sure this isn't so that you think less of her and more of your son/take his side because he's the honest one, not her?

After all, it got you thinking about getting her into trouble, didn't it?

Graham29

Just out of interest, is it disregarded for all benefits including JSA? I know it is for IS. I suppose it would be as its not for the parent, but the child.

NoLogic

Forwandert wrote: »

I get the feeling theres more to this than your strong beliefs, as stated already it won't affect her benefits so in your situation I would do nothing.

Well in all honestly, what I earn in any way shape or form I pay tax on, I don't see why people should be allowed to 'fiddle the system' and cost me more. But that's why there's laws against it.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

He tells you what she does? You sure this isn't so that you think less of her and more of your son/take his side because he's the honest one, not her?

After all, it got you thinking about getting her into trouble, didn't it?

He told me because she told him she wants more money out of him, I said well haven't the CS worked out an amount? He said no, she doesn't want that, she wants it in hand. I asked why she would want that when she could have guaranteed regular payments going through them, he told me why. Apparently he pays more than what CS would make him, and I checked this out to be true.

Graham29 wrote: »

Just out of interest, is it disregarded for all benefits including JSA? I know it is for IS. I suppose it would be as its not for the parent, but the child.

I've no idea, sorry. I got that info from the direct gov website.

emweaver

If it doesnt affect her benefits whats the problem. Also how does he know she hasnt declared it? He fathered the child let him contribute to the childs upbringing it sounds to me like your bitter as she has a child with him and I assume you dont.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

NoLogic wrote: »

Well in all honestly, what I earn in any way shape or form I pay tax on,

Actually in the broadest sense thats not true. There is an income tax threshold which i believe has just been raised to over £8K in the last budget...

Your NI is compulsory though and thats for your benefits/pension/NHS care whichever you need first.