Allegation

[MWB]

I feel half good but half bad. I just made an allegation about a married couple in my village, (1000 - odd pop) receiving only a social security benefit; neither of them work. But they have just bought a nice, 2nd hand car, just got back from a 3 holiday abroad, are flitting off on planes all over the country, (just a month ago to pick up a dog they bought off some sort of EBay site), & have only today gone to the city to buy a house in a rather upmarket area! They already own a house here & are doing extensive renovations. They also had backpackers paying to stay at their house last few summers, (the house was 2 flats - therefore the renovations.)
Of course they made have received an inheritance or the like, but being a small village someone would have known.
Have I done the right thing?

[Ice.Maiden]

I work alongside people who've claimed benefits at one time or another, and if someone's in receipt of a basic hand-out, there's no way on earth that they could afford to live the high life. However, that doesn't mean that they're illegally obtaining money. They could have a little nest egg somewhere, or be being helped out by relatives/friends. I think what you've done's right in principle, MWB, but if I was in that person's shoes, and hadn't done anything wrong, then I'd feel very angry towards you for putting your nose into my business. If you're proved right, then fair dues, but you could spend a lifetime snooping on other people if you wanted to. As one gets caught out, another one springs up.

[abstibus]

I once knew a couple who lived in a very nice cul de sac council house with a garden on three sides and a garage.
I don�t know the names of all the benefits they were getting, but here goes:
He was her partner but was registered as her cousin who lived with her.
He was an alcoholic, was registered disabled, had his own �old banger� car and did jobs as a handyman/ gardener; cash in hand and benefits. Took frequent holidays abroad.
She was an �asthmatic� but smoked like a train and �cleaned� houses: cash in hand and benefits. Didn't like flying so only took motoring holidays.
They moved into a well-fitted shed in their garden over the summer and rented the house to holidaymakers.
He eventually developed liver varices from alcohol and had extensive treatment in a specialist Liver Unit. He was told another drink would kill him.
He stopped, and then was able to claim for special diet and clothes and heaven knows what else, and was also allowed to work legally for 12 hours a week while still claiming benefits arising from his illness.
The house was totally refurbished by the council � heating, windows, you name it.
She was then able to buy the house at a knock-down price because she had inherited the tenancy from her mother.
I was doing three part-time jobs at the time, but managing to pay a mortgage.
When Tony Blair was elected, she said to me, �I hope he does more for the likes of us than the last ones did.'
I was speechless.

[RavenD]

I also agree with IAP. I was a very well paid I.T engineer up until my redundancy last year. Then there was a car crash that made me disabled. I have a council house and it is very nicely decorated, I have a modified car worth �30,000 which has a blue badge scheme. My wife and I currently have a monthly income of �2500, which is mostly her wages. I do claim disability benefit and why not. I have paid my taxes and I'm entitled to it.

Just because someone is claiming benefits does not mean they live in a dirty rat filled flat with one set of clothes and drink white cider and smoke dope all day. FFs get a reality check, the stereotypes are disgusting