Help with Benefit Fraud

[Ashley6701]

My fiancés mother is currently going through an appeal to get ESA as well as seeing someone about DLA. She plays up on her depression, she is just very lazy and wants everyone to do everything for her. She says she stays with her partner or with us (my fiancé, son and myself) 'sometimes', when really she lives with her partner and stays over at his house permanently (maybe going over to hers once a week to collect mail or to drink with family or friends if they are up, she recently got an anti social complaint warning in writing). She rarely comes to visit us and has never stayed over as we dont have a spare room and there is no need for her to stay when she has his house and her own. My fiancé is only ever down to go to meetings with her relating to her appeal, or to go to the doctors with her. He does not go up to look after her as she likes to write in her appeal forms. She has made him go to tell her doctor she is incontinent (when she isint, it's a pure lie, a lie that she is too embarrassed to bring up herself so she gets my partner to do it) and is hoping to be given pads as that would help her appeal. Her partner works, sometimes he's away for a few days and she is herself in his flat, where she takes care of herself without any problems. she can cook, clean and wash herself, but she has told her lawyer she can't do any of this stuff (to help her appeal). Her money goes on alcohol for her and her partner. Her house is a two bedroom and its a waste just sitting there empty with so many people struggling to find a house. Even though she doesn't live there, she is still in receipt of housing benefit. She recently told my fiancé to tell the housing she had to move a fridge and a microwave into her bedroom as she can't manage the stairs, which is a lie but she is trying to get hold of them to use for a housing visit. He took her to the doctors to ask about putting her medication up, the doctor refused as she has been on the same dose for years and never complained about it before, he wants her to sort out her alcohol problem and keep a diary of her incontinence (that she doesn't have). As my fiancé knows she is playing up on things, can he be found guilty of aiding and abetting? I am so worried. He ever I question him he says he will move out so I'm not involved, but I don't want my family ripped apart just because she's too lazy to go and get a job! I have never been in trouble with the police and don't intend to get involved in anything illegal for her sake. My fiancé seems to think they can't get him for anything, as he is just asking the doctor and agreeing with whatever his mother says, but I'm pretty sure that's all they need? Sorry it's so long, I'm just so concerned. We have a 4 year old and I don't want him being made to go through his daddy being arrested or whatever.

[scotgal68]

Your fiancé won't be arrested. if your mother in law is found guilty of benefit fraud then it will be only her that will face the consequences.

What I will tell you Ashley, alcoholism is a disease, alcoholics are classed as having an illness. They are entitled to benefits the same as other sick people. Chronic alcoholism renders people unemployable.

Whilst I don't condone benefit fraud, your mother in law

might just be a bit more sick than you realise. Alcoholism

creates other physical illness, which could be why she's applied for DLA.

But back to your question, like I said I wouldn't worry about your fiancé, he's not part of the claim, he won't be in trouble x

[abc123def]

Totally agree with scotgal here, your partner is fine, it is the claimaint who is fully responsible for her claim.

 

Also agree that you have no idea how his mother's mental illness and alcoholism affects her, and it is not possible for you to judge how able she is to work or her eligibility for benefits. Aloholism for one can lead to incontinence, maybe it happens and she is too embarrassed to tell you for instance.

[jadeybags]

My brother was given 0 points at his ATOS interview for depression, alcohol & drugs, He had been on Incap for about 5 yrs with no medicals previously. she'll be lucky to get it!

But I think you're right to not want your partner getting involved, if it ever did come out that she was trying to con DWP, & they found out your partner was helping in that in any way, the least they'll do is investigate him. They also have powers to dip into someones bank accounts if they think there is a possibility of them aiding fraud. Can't blame you not wanting that.

Sounds like your mother in law is in a lifestyle & unless she changes the lifestyle the drinking wont stop.

As to what you can do, probably nothing apart from insisting your partner doesn't go to her doctor & help the lie along. The rest is up to her isn't it. There are a lot of people claiming benefits this way, & as frustrating as it is, & has gone some way to cause the problems genuine claimants are now having, there is not a lot we can do about it on the outside.

My LA had 900 tip offs about benefit fraud in one year, only 200 of those were investigated. Even if you bubble someone it's unlikely anything is done about it in my opinion.

[bio]

If she is not living at an address where she is claiming Housing Benefit from, she is still committing fraud. I should report her.

[Desperate Daniella]

Hi Ashley, and welcome to CAG!

 

She sounds a complete horror, and if she's not living in the flat she is committing fraud, as bio says above.

 

You and your fiance have a four-year-old. His father's duty is to you and your child. You must be his priorities.

 

You say she has a partner. He must take responsibility, and he must be the one to go with her to the appointments.

 

So sorry for you. You shouldn't have to be dealing with this, and your fiancé shouldn't for one minute be saying he will move out! Would he seriously consider leaving his family to support this woman? He really has to stand up for his family - and that is you and your child.

 

DDx

[scotgal68]

With all due respect DD, it's ok for you to take moral high ground regarding Ashleys fiancé's responsibilities, but are you forgetting that 'complete horror' is that boys mother?

 

Alcoholism is an illness. Maybe her son is her only support network?

The fiancé shouldn't be doing this that and the other, granted, but he is and there's nothing we can say to

Ashley or should say to her about the sons relationship

with his mum. She asked for advice regarding the possibility of her fiancé getting arrested for benefit fraud.

He won't be arrested, end of. I admire the boy, sticking by his mum, I feel sorry for Ashley but thats what life throws at us, it sounds as if her fiancé is a good lad.

As for reporting the mother, will that serve? She is already vulnerable

Edited April 5, 2013 by scotgal68

[Desperate Daniella]

Hi scotgal,

 

I don't mean to take the high ground, and I lived with an alcoholic so I do know how destructive their behaviour can be and how much misery they can cause to those around them.

 

Alcoholism is an illness, as you say, and it can turn people into manipulative liars as this lady appears to be from what Ashley has said above. She is expecting her son to go along with her lies, and he shouldn't be doing that. It will not be helping her in the long-term.

 

Ashley has said that the lady in question has a partner so surely he should be the mainstay of her support network? She lives in the partner's house. I didn't say Ashley should report her; I pointed out that she is committing fraud. If she is found out it will be even more of a mess.

 

My sympathy is entirely with Ashley and the stress she must be going through as a result of her fiancé's mother's behaviour.

 

DD

[Desperate Daniella]

Could some of you here please see if you can help Foxy-xx. Her thread is 'benefits stopped'. I am worse than useless at making the links work!

 

She is pretty desperate so any friendly posts would probably help.

 

Thanks.

[ims21]

Could some of you here please see if you can help Foxy-xx. Her thread is 'benefits stopped'. I am worse than useless at making the links work!

 

She is pretty desperate so any friendly posts would probably help.

 

Thanks.

 

Link to Foxy's thread...

 

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?387706-benefits-stopped

[Desperate Daniella]

Thank you. However I do it, they never work.