Benefit Fraud

[Baby02]

My mother in law has recieved a letter from the local council saying they want her to attend an interview cuz they have reason to believe she is commiting benefit fraud.
My daughter sleeps in her nans house 5 nights a week and my niece stays the other 2, due to my mother in law being terrified of being in the house alone at night.
My mother in law does not recieve any extra cash than she is entitled to from the government
Is it against the law to have your grandchildren stay the night, I think NOT
Your opinions please
TIA

[CheekyChops]

It depends how old her grandchildren are. If they are older teenagers or adults then someone may have reported your M-i-L as it may appear that another adult is living with her.

If she explains the circumstances etc at the interview then she should be ok.

[lou 26]

youll probably find its someone who has nothing better to do than to cause trouble for everyone else that has reported her. I wouldnt think she has much to worry about but if shes in council property then she'd be as well to let the council know as there will always be someone who sets out to make life difficult! sad i know!

i wish her luck xx

[Baby02]

Awww thanks Cheeky and lou mother in law in a real state about this, my daughter is nearly 17 and doesnt have a job or any money herself and my niece is only 10, there are some nasty ppl in this world
Thanks again xx

[jackthehat]

Has she had any financial transactions passing through her bank account 'out of the ordinary' ?

You would be surprised at just how much, and what sort of information the banks are obliged to pass on to the Benefits Agencies.

My partner made a genuine mistake with regard to the declaration of savings.............and it was her bank that informed the local council !

[Baby02]

No extra money has gone into her account ( she wishes ) haha
xx

[daffy654]

What benefit is this in regard to? I presume with it being the council who want to interview her then it must be housing or council tax benefit. If she has had someone staying every night of the week then they probably are wondering why she is claiming the single person allowance on council tax benefit.Hopefully once she explains the circumstances they may understand.

[tufty7]

She needs to go and tell them exactly whats happening , if having your family over to stay is the biggest crime in the country then we are in real trouble..... if thats the case the etnics better watch out, or perhaps they would be too frightened to upset them .......

[kelfoan]

The interview would be along the lines of failing to declare a change of circumstances affecting Benefit entitlement (Social Security Act 1992 s 112). If however both peple are under 18 years old then there is no non dependants deduction (an amount deducted for other adults living in the property) therefore no change in entitlement= no offence.