General Chat

Yes!! my husband has reported someone in the past but nothing was done about it, they actually told him they were too busy to follow up all the leads they got. Deb X

I was (and suppose I still am) a single parent - and was accused of fraud benefit. I brought my children up alone from 1986, and worked in a school from 1990. In 1996 I decided to go to University, which didn't start until October, so I worked at the school during September. THREE years later, with final exams, teenage daughters, dissertation etc, the Benefits office ordered me down and accused me of working through October!! Apparently, so I was told, the Councils treasury department had infutable evidence - and there was no way they were wrong. I had to chase around and get evidence of when I worked at the school - even though they had the evidence - pay slips etc, registration at college etc.etc. I found my evidence and sat on it - the treasury department (with my payslips) were wrong!! - I gave them time to admit their mistake, but they didn't. Eventually they threatened me with court - so not wanting to waste taxpayers money I went down with my evidence. The treasurers dept had looked at my payslip and didn't seem to understand their own system! - I was paid in October for work done in September! Eventually I got a letter basically saying I was lucky this time!! I was to tell them exactly when I worked etc etc. No apology. So they tried to 'get' me for £150!! I am aware there are habitual benefit fraudsters around - but the council are too frightenend of them! As I now live on my own, I get 25% discount on my council tax. When I asked the council how long I could have a 'guest' before I lost this benefit - they couldn't tell me!! One man actually said 'Until they notice you!!' As a final point, my nephew worked for the benefits agency - and hs wages were so low he was on benefit!!! maggie

no I would not report anyone and yes I do work full time, its the system thats wrong and it is open to abuse and there are different curcumstances for different people. I would not blame a single parent for doing casual work to get her kids christmas presents, but a person who fakes illness to get disability and not have to work I dont agree with, I still would not report them let them live there lives looking over there shoulder, I am happy with my lifesyle .

This is a difficult one! we pay our taxes to the government, who in turn employ persons to pay benefit to those who genuinely need it, so why should we have to do the job of these government employees? They should be doing their jobs and checking all the circumstances and doing follow ups on benefit payments etc. Those who report are (in some case) are left with a conscience. I don't think I could report where childrens needs are involved, but if there was gambling.drinking involved and the money going on these items then I would be first at the door, just my opinion.

No. There's no point. A relative owns his own business and offered five people on Jobseekers' Allowance interviews. Four didn't turn up, no explanation given. As attending interviews is a condition of their benefit, he informed the Benefits Agency but absolutely nothing was done about it.

It's the unemployed couples who keep on having kids that get to me.....some of them have families of over ten kids, and the older kids become single parents and also claim all benefits available, and we all pay for the parents' total lack of responsibility - after all, the state will pay for the family. I would suggest that benefits are only paid for the first four children in future (not retrospective) which might make couples take precautions, after four...........unless they CAN PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILY THEMSELVES Lily

well said lily. debs.x

Maureen (Glitter Baby) I daren't add up what I have paid in NIC's and taxes over nearly 47 years of working (non-stop with only an 8 month break to have a child)! We now get (as poor pensioners) £4 tax credits and some council tax rebate, per week, and I feel guilty taking it!! Daft Lily

Nudge for the weekenders! Lily

I get child benefit and Working family Tax Credit!

Don't know that I would have the courage to do it but do get VERY annoyed when I know people that are and where I live thats quite a few. My reason, i'm a coward and would worry about the kids in the family. Having just read the other replies to this thread I can see where people are coming from, both my hubby and me work full time, pay all our own bills, ok we do get family allowence and small amout of working tax credits but it we were paid a decent wage we wouldn't need it, so maybe I would report them espesially if it was as blatent as some of you others have seen Thank you for opening my eyes Jan

I had a part-time secretary some years back who worked the system brilliantly. She kept her 'official' earnings below the required limit, that would enable her to claim benefits as a single parent, and did unnofficial child care in the afternoons, the full-time secretaries were furious that she managed to accumulate a better weekly income than them AND she took time off 'sick' to do her holiday packing etc and got away with it! The daft mare was upfront about all this and wondered why she was generating such hostility. However, she had the senior Partner wrapped around her little finger........a man, of course! Lily

I think there's a big difference between those who claim but work full time, and those that are on benefits but do the odd job here and there, cash in hand, to try and get by. I know of someone in the latter position. She's a young girl with 2 daughters and a boyfriend with a low paid job. She has to pay a ridiculous amount of money out each month on rent, and sturggles financially. She worked full time until she had her second child, but now cannot. Someone recently offered her £20 a week to do a couple of hours cleaning. I don't blame her for taking it, she spends every penny on the kids. As I say - totally different situation with someone who's working full time and claiming benefits too.

brilliant debate i myself have been convicted of benifits fraud when i was a single parent .i paid all i stole back 3000 pounds .i would defo do it due to the fact that my wife is severly disabled and only gets disability living allowance where as a 23 yr old person in our estate gets mobility allowance and can walk more than the required distant ,also drives a mobility car and carrys his girl freind on his back .the person has been reported fined and still does it to me justice stinks im thinking of going to india or pakistan to see if i can flout there system