Question regarding benefit

norbert25

Hello

I currently claim Esa and Pip and have had to for several years now. I had somebody who I was really good friends with suddenly decide out of the blue for no reason to fall out with me. Upon doing this they have been sending threatening messages basically saying they don't think I should be on esa or pip and are going to contact benefit fraud. This has clearly got me very upset and worried not because I'm claiming anything I shouldn't but just the distress these messages are causing and what may happen if they were to report me. So my question is what should I do? Should I contact the benefits to make them aware somebody's been threatening me or just leave it or something else? I'm only claiming what I'm entitled to but obviously these threats have got me very anxious. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

ab1982

You said it yourself, youre not doing anything wrong so they are just wasting their time if they do report you. Ignore and dont worry about it.

LocoLoco

If you've still got the messages you could go to the police and report this as disability hate crime. I've had numerous malicious allegations made against me over the years and having to go through checks and investigations can be stressful even when you know you haven't done anything wrong.

There's some information on disability hate here:

http://report-it.org.uk/disability_hate_crime1


The police are supposed to take it seriously although unfortunately that's not always what happens. You would need some proof so if you still have the messages you could take those with you. They could hopefully just have a 'word' with the person causing you the problems and that would stop things.

If you've not still got the messages then you could just contact the agencies, as you've said, and tell them what's happening. They do have to investigate allegations but they do receive malicious ones and they are aware it goes on so to be fair to them when I was investigated they just asked for various bits of paperwork (which were easy enough to get together) and it was all resolved fairly quickly. It is stressful though, so I do feel for you, OP. I would go to the police if you feel you can as this sort of thing is appalling and the more people that stand up to it the better (although I know that's easier said than done).

Hope you can get something sorted out soon.

FBaby

They are entitled to report you if they believe you are committing benefit fraud it will be up to the agency to decide if there is enough substance to investigate. If they are using it as a threat or blackmail you can choose to report to the police.

MABLE

norbert25 wrote: »

Hello

I currently claim Esa and Pip and have had to for several years now. I had somebody who I was really good friends with suddenly decide out of the blue for no reason to fall out with me. Upon doing this they have been sending threatening messages basically saying they don't think I should be on esa or pip and are going to contact benefit fraud. This has clearly got me very upset and worried not because I'm claiming anything I shouldn't but just the distress these messages are causing and what may happen if they were to report me. So my question is what should I do? Should I contact the benefits to make them aware somebody's been threatening me or just leave it or something else? I'm only claiming what I'm entitled to but obviously these threats have got me very anxious. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The lesson is keep financial matters and friends a part. Also if you honestly think you have done nothing wrong then just ignore them and by bringing the Benefits Agency into the equation may cause you further issues. My advice is let the agency contact you and if they feel the need to investigate they will do so despite of anything you or the ex friend say.

Placitasgirl

You say you have done nothing wrong, so have nothing to fear even if your "friend" reports you and an investigation is made. If this does happen don't stress - simply provide everything you are asked for and answer all questions honestly and all will be fine.

If you believe that there may be some grounds to this person's allegations then do check that you have reported any and all changes in circumstances and that all information the DWP hold for you is fully correct as soon as possible.