Benefit cheat?

Question

this is a UK question.

I have a friend of a mate who works as a security guard and my mate said he has just signed on for jobseekers allowance. I am not a snitch but don't feel it's right that my (and everyone elses) taxes are subsidising him.

Do the department for work and pensions not cross check with the inland Revenue to check wether someone is paying tax when they make a claim for benefit ?

I would have thought so but have no idea ?

Answer 1

in the usa, you get 10% turning in cheats.

Answer 2

Probably not.  My recollection is that the law prohibits one government department giving information to another.  There is often enough cross-connection between two for one to get suspicious, but I'm not convinced that would happen here.  Although jobseekers alloewance is taxable, so the DWP need to get instructions from HMRC, they are not entitled to be told anything about the individual's tax position.  Similarly, HMRC will not necessarily be suspicious (and if they were they couldn't do anything about it!) because jobseekers allowance CAN be paid to some people who still have a job (mainly those whose work is only occasional, but who still remain unpaid on the employer's books).

It's a great pity you're not a snitch.  Those of us who do stump up our tax would be grateful if you were.