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Disability Fraud
Brian65
Posts: 255 Forumite
Someone on another thread seemed worried she might be charged with fraud because she claims PIP and can walk a bit sometimes.
I think she is worrying unnecessarily because all the fraud cases I have heard about have been real fraud - People claiming disability whilst filmed competing in runs / boxing matches / refereeing football matches / handling big motorbikes / up ladders working as painters / roofers / couriers / waitresses etc – and videos of them walking have just been put in as additional evidence. (May be only 0.01% of claimants but that’s enough for one to get into the papers every few weeks and give their readers their opinion of benefit claimants)
I have never heard of anyone charged with fraud over something like this - so minor its debatable whether the claimant is entitled or not.
Not saying its never happened, just that I have never heard of it. Possibly because the papers are only interested in the most serious cases because they make the biggest stories.
I’m looking for the smallest ones that worry genuine claimants.
What’s the smallest case of benefit fraud someone has been charged with?
Perhaps too small to get into the papers?
Because if the only fraud cases are the ones I have heard about, then she has nothing to worry about.
I think she is worrying unnecessarily because all the fraud cases I have heard about have been real fraud - People claiming disability whilst filmed competing in runs / boxing matches / refereeing football matches / handling big motorbikes / up ladders working as painters / roofers / couriers / waitresses etc – and videos of them walking have just been put in as additional evidence. (May be only 0.01% of claimants but that’s enough for one to get into the papers every few weeks and give their readers their opinion of benefit claimants)
I have never heard of anyone charged with fraud over something like this - so minor its debatable whether the claimant is entitled or not.
Not saying its never happened, just that I have never heard of it. Possibly because the papers are only interested in the most serious cases because they make the biggest stories.
I’m looking for the smallest ones that worry genuine claimants.
What’s the smallest case of benefit fraud someone has been charged with?
Perhaps too small to get into the papers?
Because if the only fraud cases are the ones I have heard about, then she has nothing to worry about.
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Comments
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It really depends on a lot of factors. if when she applied for PIP she said she could never walk, then yes it would be fraud.
If she was honest and said 'usually I am unable to walk, however on a good day I may be able to walk x yards' then she is fine.0 -
Someone on another thread seemed worried she might be charged with fraud because she claims PIP and can walk a bit sometimes.
I think she is worrying unnecessarily because all the fraud cases I have heard about have been real fraud - People claiming disability whilst filmed competing in runs / boxing matches / refereeing football matches / handling big motorbikes / up ladders working as painters / roofers / couriers / waitresses etc – and videos of them walking have just been put in as additional evidence. (May be only 0.01% of claimants but that’s enough for one to get into the papers every few weeks and give their readers their opinion of benefit claimants)
I have never heard of anyone charged with fraud over something like this - so minor its debatable whether the claimant is entitled or not.
Not saying its never happened, just that I have never heard of it. Possibly because the papers are only interested in the most serious cases because they make the biggest stories.
I’m looking for the smallest ones that worry genuine claimants.
What’s the smallest case of benefit fraud someone has been charged with?
Perhaps too small to get into the papers?
Because if the only fraud cases are the ones I have heard about, then she has nothing to worry about.
Why not visit your local magistrates court a few times and see what's on the schedule, you'd be surprised what's prosecuted these days 0 -
Ask Flo......
I don't thnk I've met her.
I have heard of videos of claimants walking being thrown in as additional evidence.
But I have only heard of one being charged with fraud apparently on that alone - He had claimed to be a quadraplegic.
Heard of one being charged with fraud apparently just through being caught driving - but she had claimed to be blind.
So I suppose that doesn't mean nobody can walk or drive whilst claiming PIP.0 -
Those who fear prosecution for fraud are more often than not the ones who have least chance of it happening. Those who intentionally make fraudulent claims believe they will get away with it so don't worry about doing so in the first place.0
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so is Andy back? should I get my tin hat out?0
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What do you mean the smallest fraud, fraud is fraud, there is no smallest fraud.0
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In all the cases I have heard of and mentioned its clearly fraud. Its robbing the taxpayer, casting suspicion on genuinely disabled, so they deserved to be caught and prosecuted for fraud.What do you mean the smallest fraud, fraud is fraud, there is no smallest fraud.
But sometimes its debateable whether the claimant is entitled or not.
Especially as the rules are so complex and constantly changing.
So its debateable whether the claim is fraud or not.
But I haven't heard of any such case going to court.
So I'm asking if anyone else has.
Because if they haven't then disabled people can stop worrying 0 -
Only cases where the overpayment is over a certain amount go to court, anything under that is generally dealt with by way of an admin penalty or no action overpayment only, so it wouldn't make court.
Does that mean its not fraud, not really because if you are doing something you claim you cannot do, then you have not been truthful in how your disability impacts on you.
However if for instance you claim you can only walk 50m most of the time but then walk more than that for 5 out of 7 days then you haven't been truthful, but if you declare that you can only walk 50m on most days and walk over 50m on just 1 out of 7 days then that fits with your declaration.
The rules are not constantly changing, the descriptors you have to meet are there for all to see on various websites.
Declare the truth and the genuinely disabled people will have no reason to worry.0
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