Should I report a family member illegally claiming benefits?

Hoipolloi

Discuss it with him. Make sure you have your facts straight, show him what the current criteria are (I presume they are in the gov. UK website). Explain this to him, express your concern that he may no longer be entitled to the benefit he is receiving and allow him to express himself, his needs etc.

You may be completely wrong in your assesment of his situation. If you are not wrong, advise him it doesn't sit well with you that he continues to receive this benefit. Do not take action behind his back, let him know you are thinking of informing the government of benefit abuse. At least he will then have the option of telling them himself, and also the option of never having anything to do with you again.

elenor_rigby

Speak to them first as it may be a mistake or misunderstanding, then report if necessary. I work damm hard and pay a lot of tax to support people who need it. Not to support thieving scumbags. People falsely claiming benefits is one of the big reasons this country is on its knees!!!!!!!! :mad:

meknowalot-51

No you shouldn't,let some stranger do it.

j.e.j.

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Secondly if people continue to abuse the system then it all the more incentive for politicians of a certain colour to get rid of it

PMSL I think you’ll find it’s the politicians who are abusing the system. IDS charges the taxpayer more for his breakfast than a lot of benefit claimants get in a week.

gettingtheresometime

j.e.j. wrote: »

PMSL I think you’ll find it’s the politicians who are abusing the system. IDS charges the taxpayer more for his breakfast than a lot of benefit claimants get in a week.

As does every other politician I don't doubt.

london_lass

MSE_Nick wrote: »

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

I found out that my uncle is claiming benefits he's not entitled to. He used to qualify, but the rules changed and he's still receiving payments despite no longer being eligible. Should I report him?

Yes.

As someone who currently relies on ESA and other benefit support (after many years working) it's people like that who not only steal from those who honestly need it, but also pay into the prejudice against those on benefits as scroungers. I cannot wait til I'm well enough to get back to working full time so I can go back to providing for myself!

Ozzuk

Interesting snapshot of society as it appears 80% of the people on this thread think it is okay to steal, or at the very least that we have no duty to report others that we see doing it.

I really don't know if I could 'shop' a close relative, I think you should but doing it would be really tough - I'd likely discuss it with them at length first and try and put them on the right track, reporting would be a last resort.

Old_Git

My tenant was reported for having her partner living with her .
She got away with it .She said they had two children together and he was entitled to visit ,and she paid all the bills .
He was and still is earning over £500 per week .

riceandpeas

j.e.j. wrote: »

Having spent some time studying the Old East Germany and the "unofficial informers" whose task it was to grass on their neighbours, I am inclined not to tell tales on people and thereby do the government's work for them.

I don't want to live in a society where people are encouraged to inform on each other.

This Government, and the last, has been intentionally decimating the Civil Service for many years - until it has reached the point where it can no longer do the appropriate checks itself (yes, this includes both the benefits departments and the tax-gathering ones). I'm told that this move was very popular with tax-paying voters who view the public sector as an unnecessary burden on the nation's finance. And this is the result, that they now need you to do the work formerly done by Government agencies - by snooping on family, friends and neighbours - as they no longer have sufficient resources to manage day-to-day low-level anti-fraud checks themselves.

Am I inclined to act as an unpaid tax-inspector? No!
Do I sound bitter? Maybe!
Am I a former tax inspector, forced into redundancy by vote-winning Government "efficiency" savings? Quite possibly!

riceandpeas

torry_quine wrote: »

if i knew someone was knowingly claiming benefits which they were no longer eligible for i would have no problem in reporting this. It shocks me that people wouldn't.

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who died for us then was raised to life
he's alive today and lives in our hearts,
our debts now all paid to give a new start.

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