Benfit Fraud

[boona]

My sister has been caught for benefit fraud, she is a single parent with a young child. She has been told she will have to pay all the money back plus thay are taking her to court. The amount she owes is less than £3000, If she is given community service, who is expected to look after her child?

[squarebear]

Did she not think of that before she stole the money? That's her problem to arrange childcare.

[boona]

No she wouldnt have thought about anyone but herself. She never does.

[squarebear]

Unfortunately, it has reared its head and bitten her. It's not the council's problem to arrange childcare facilities or every single mum would start doing the same.

[boona]

It will probably be down to me to look after the child then as she will have nobody else to do it.

[cazzz1975]

problem solved then :)

[boona]

Not really Cazz, Im sick of picking up pieces after her. I have my own child to look after plus I work.

[squarebear]

Tell her you can't do it then. Let her take responsibility for her own actions.

[boona]

I know, but then I feel guilty about the poor child, its not his fault!

[cazzz1975]

well tell her then, its doubtful that she would get community service, probably just an amount will be taken from her benefits. until she knows what will happen its pure speculation.

[squarebear]

and it's not your fault either!

[boona]

I am presuming if she got sent to Prison (which I doubt) her child would have to go into care.

[squarebear]

I doubt she will go to prison, but yes I would assume so unless anyone else will look after the child.

[boona]

She has already started having deductions taken out of her benefits but she has also had a letter stating it is going to court.

[cazzz1975]

the court will take her circumstances into account which is why its doubtful she would get community service.

[society]

You are right Boona, you cannot punish the child for the dishonesty of the parent. Be a good aunty and look out for the kid.

Where is the childs' father? Couldn't he help out?
No; I'll tale a wild guess - if he was helping out the mother wouldn't have committed fraud.

[cazzz1975]

are you hoping things go badly for her boona? I am detecting a little latent bitterness there

[boona]

Not too badly Cazz, I dont want her to go to prison! I just wish she would learn to be a responsible parent and think about her child before herself. She just presumes she can get away with anything and I will pick up the pieces.

[cazzz1975]

but if you insist on continuing to pick up the pieces she will never learn.