just wrong...but we are family?

Question

My parents live next door to my aunt and uncle and pretty much most of my family. Well for years my relatives have been taking advantage of the govt..like asking for help when they know they are wrong. My uncle receives disability but he cuts grass for extra income. But they are pretty old and I know they are going thru some financial problems so I feel kinda bad and I don't want to report them cuz they are family what should I do? I know its wrong cuz those my are tax payers money supporting them.

Believe me my relatives have issues if you knew them. If I was such a B**** I would have already reported them but I haven't because they are my family but in the back of my head I know they are wrong. I only say this because they have asked my parents for help also and I know they are capable of working but they are so damn lazy to do it.

Answer 1

You say your uncle receives disability and mows lawns for extra income... depending on what he claims his disability is is whether or not he is being a fraud. If he claims disability because of back, neck or leg injury and is out everyday with a push mower, then I'd say yes, he is a fraud. If his disabililty relates to lets say a war injury or PTSD, or being mentally unable to do his job, then no, there's nothing wrong with it. See, the income received from the government is NOT enough to make ends meet. Whether it is the single mom working 2 jobs, receiving a paltry stipend from the government, or the active Senior citizen collecting Social Security after being told by the government he/she is too old to work.... the amount received isn't sufficient to cover everything in today's economy. Many seniors are forced to eat noodles and potted meat so they have enough money to pay rent, elect, medication and medical costs. The same with disability.... it's not enough to see them through. Actually, I believe there is a certain amount of income that can be received before it affects their benefits. As for reporting them... no... you should look at it this way... how many years did your uncle work before becoming disabled. His own tax dollars went toward his support. It's not JUST your tax dollars. If you are so concerned about his defrauding the government, talk to him. Find out what their greatest needs are, and offer to help. Get other family members to help! After all, they are family! Also, you should look at it this way: even though your uncle is disabled, at least he is doing SOMETHING to make himself feel USEFUL! It's a God-awful thing to see a beloved family member will themselves to die because they no longer feel useful!

Answer 2

If they are having financial difficulties, then you really cannot blame them for it. Look at all of the others who deceive the govt. Most of them do not have financial problems in the least. If they did not do it, someone else would. If he is drawing disability, then he may end up getting caught anyway, so stay out of it. They may not be able to handle themselves with no help from the govt. However, the govt has rules that they go by and things that they check which is making it more difficult to deceive them. If they got by with it, let them be. If they were struggling more, they may start bugging your parents for money then making everyone miserable. They paid taxes for years, so just look at it as though they are getting some of those tax dollars back. You are right, it is wrong and should not be done. Before you decide to turn them in, you should speak with them and find out about their financial situation and all first. They may actually be truthfully getting it from the govt, and you just do not know it. There are some who draw disability and still are able to work certain jobs. But, cutting grass is extreme unless it is a riding mower.

Answer 3

well if I were you I would NOT turn them, I have the same problem, though I know somebody who is claiming mentally disabled and reciveing disablitly, but here is the kicker- she has All 5 of her kids on it as well, her hubby is about to go on it as well. They are in there 20's and their children are all young - 3, 6, 9,13 and 15 and each recieves a check for being Bypolar and they are all on meds and everything, whenever 1 of kids do something wrong there is an EXCUSE - they took their meds late OR they are bypolar That is WHY they act like that...they are very capable of having jobs - but they go to the dr on a reg. basis and have had all but 2 (youngest) of their kids comitted for a 48 hr. physic evaluation and the ripe old age of 5 they were considered Bypolar and within 2 months of applying she had her money, the kids money and that was that, now she qualifies for Food Stamps, Medicaid, TANF, Child Support and Disability. They have a nice computer , flat screen TV, digital camera, nice home and are pretty much living the American dream, they have social workers at their house all the time and b/c they have agreed to all the hombased projects in the area, I know one of her EX -friends turned her in but it does NO good, trust me, she makes a good 6 grand a month from everything that she is doing and the state backs her in it all. Talk about the system helping them screw us...But in your case they are older and Are NOT taking advatage of the system in a big way..Let it go - you will sleep better at night if you just stay out of it...

Answer 4

Being labeled "disabled" can be something deeper than physical. My Dad was on disability for years, but maintained hunting property as side income. It's not a CRIME - because you can only make so much $ while on disability. If he's "cutting grass" for money, think of how much he's actually getting.

You'll learn in a few years when you're older - Family comes FIRST, especially before the gov't!

Answer 5

Hey Liz P,
What should you do?.....Put in some Bob Marley and go help your Uncle cut the grass. Or, um.....put in Bob and don't do ANYTHING. Let people live their life, don't JUDGE people. Do you know what is wrong? Judging people and turning in people for something stupid. So what, we pay our taxes and help people- that's awesome! Do you know how much our government takes advantage of people?
Murder is wrong honey, not this. Choose to live a wonderful life, pay taxes and don't worry about the little things and most of all, BE HAPPY!
Blessings,
Denise

Answer 6

Who died & made you snitch of the family? Why are you so worried about you Uncles financial situation with the gov.? Are you gonna pay his bills? Do you think the ability to cut some grass makes him able to do the days work he was trained to do? The "right" thing to for you would be to quit dippin in peoples business, especially your poor familys. What a self righteous little tart you are!!!!

Answer 7

Knowing family is doing the wrong thing is a hard one to answer. I sympathize with you.
Unless, they are threatening the life of themselves and/or others, I would ignore it. I know there are moral issue's at stake here, but you are not the one to judge them. It will all catch up with them somewhere. Maybe this wrong doing is already catching up with them, in that they are having financial problems. Life has a way of getting back. Let "life" take care of it. Just don't ever find yourself caught up in this kind of behavior....Sounds like you are making a break from this kind of lifestyle and that is admirable on your part.
After reading the other comments and in YOUR defense. Ignore the bashing. Most of these people "live in glass houses" and don't have a clue. You at least have a good conscience and are handling it very well.

Answer 8

I have seen people healthy people driving big 4X4's and parking them in handicap parking.

Whenever I go grocerry shopping I see someone using food stamps. Looking at the dressup and all, one would no think they should qualify, but they do somehow...

I think govt. should set up better procedures for all these things.

At least you should be happy that some of your tax money is supporting your own family, not others who are taking more advantage of system and you do not even know them.

Your relation with your uncle should be govered by how he treats you and your family, not he does with gov or anywhere else, thats his business.

Answer 9

Look at it like this, every time they spend that extra little bit of money in the local shops, they are supporting a local business. Also do you think your taxes would go down it those people who do earn a little extra were denied benefit? You do not know what is round the corner for you in your life. Don't be too judgemental

Answer 10

If your neighbors start getting fatter checks from the government than what Bush is pouring into the attack on Iraq, THEN you may want to do something. Until then, Uncle Otto's and Aunt Gladys' little scam isn't worth snitching out your family.