you're unemployed and...
times are tough, you've lost your job, you're finding it very difficult getting another job, you're behind with the electric/gas, you're behind with the mortgage,etc etc..
so you're offered some work, cash in hand, no questions asked, perhaps its tending a bricklayer? maybe you're a teacher and get asked to check a few essays for someone? you're a mechanic and a friend wants his car fixed?
you're in receipt of unemployment benefit, what do you do? take the work and say nothing? decline because its illegal? because its morally wrong?
the above is hypothetical of course, just to get an idea of where people stand on the issue of undeclared income, and is not meant to condone anything illegal, its a hypothetical scenario .....
in the context of this thread, the hypothetical work being offered is undeclared income that is not allowed whilst claiming unemployment benefit..idc:I thought that you are allowed to earn a certain amount of income and still claim, particularly for very occasional or temporary work. In any case I would see if what was being offered could be turned into a new job as a tutor, bricklayer etc.
The best hypothetical advice is to either temp somewhere or volunteer - often, this type of work leads to full-time employment.
Max, I don't know if this is about yourself but most people probably would, given the opportunity, make some extra cash with an occasional odd job. I've been there myself (I recently lost my business and in the progress, most money I had painstakingly saved up over time, luckily I had a job to fall back on even if it's not what I want).
I don't know exactly how much benefit a person can claim today but I'm sure it can't be much.
As long as it's an occasional opportunity to earn something extra and not some regular income I think it's only human to do it and I'm sure gouvernment knows that. What they don't want is serial cheats when there are people in real need.
As always my opinion only and as always, probably controversial
If you took the work with the intention of using it to find work and come off benefits, then go for it. If it is to top up benefits with no intention of stopping claiming, then that is wrong.
no its not a situation i'm in dm, if i was offered some cash work id take it and say nothing, like if i had been offered a nice little paving job back in may worth e1500 i would have took it and bought some rx6's, and if i was offered another one worth e1600 in a few weeks time i would take that toodrummerman:Max, I don't know if this is about yourself but most people probably would, given the opportunity, make some extra cash with an occasional odd job. I've been there myself (I recently lost my business and in the progress, most money I had painstakingly saved up over time, luckily I had a job to fall back on even if it's not what I want).
I don't know exactly how much benefit a person can claim today but I'm sure it can't be much.
As long as it's an occasional opportunity to earn something extra and not some regular income I think it's only human to do it and I'm sure gouvernment knows that. What they don't want is serial cheats when there are people in real need.
As always my opinion only and as always, probably controversial
..
id much prefer a full time job though..
A year or so ago a daughter had to declare her intention to volunteer at a local museum when getting jobseeker's allowance between jobs. She was only allowed to work unpaid for 15 hours a week I think.
However, she soon got a job due to the interviewer being impressed at her determination to be doing something constructive with her time, despite it costing her money she could ill afford for transport etc.
I would rather have gone without money myself (well, actually I did for a bit) in order to subsidise her job-seeking/volunteering period than have her break the law (and possibly 'que#r the pitch' for all future employment or future benefits with a criminal record) by moonlighting.
When I signed on after leaving the Armed Forces in the Second Quarter of this year, my pension was too much for me to claim Jobseekers allowance but however I was entitled to claim the national Insurance contributions where under present rules you only need to work for 30 years to secure your Old Age pension. Fortunately I now work for a Supermarket chain for only 3 days a week with my pension still making more than I earn but with my wife income means we are still comfortable.
After watching Saints and Sinners there is always that chance of being caught out as it is more likely that someone who knows you will spill the beans either intentionally or not.
Take the money and run.
Would have to agree with this line of thought really...if it's just a little extra to make ends meet and possibly help to get something permanent, sometimes all it takes it a contact made or off-chance meeting...you gotta do what ya gotta do.Tarquinh:Take the money and run.
In this climate. it's dog eat dog I'm afraid and a little extra on the side as you suggest, aint gonna upset the apple cart in the whole scheme of things and as far as illegality is concerned, it has been pointed out that you are allowed earn up to a certain limit...
Tough times alright and my thoughts are with those who are genuinely struggling...but doubt that's many who appear on this site in all honesty (myself included even though I am unemployed also). If you got an internet connection, pc and quality hi-fi, things aren't probaby half as bad as they are for the many many others out there who can barely afford to feed themselves...?
i would suggest that perhaps a barter system is used eg i will fix your car (say 3 hrs work) in exchange for eg doing some decorating or a box of wine etc...?
in this way (i think) you avoid the issue??
Do it.... all day long just don't get caught then in the future a job or business might come of the back of it then everyone is happy..
As someone who used to work for the Jobcentre, the rule is that you can work for 16 hours before it effects your benefit. But you must declare it, they have so many ways of finding out that work has been done that it's not worth trying to do it on the quiet. They will find out one way or another and it all comes down to how much you are paid. Even cash in hand can be traced back these days, don't ask me how as I never worked for that department.
Better to be safe than sorry, be honest as it can come with hefty fines or even prison time if you are caught and that will effect any career you have afterwards.
If it's to keep a roof over your head, heat your home or put food on the table, take the money and don't let it give you another moments thought.
I'm sure if the worst happened, a bunch of bills with 'OVERDUE' stamped over them would sway any jury towards your case.
Family and providing for them comes first so yes i would take the work without thinking twice about it. I would not moan if i got caught though either.
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I thought that you are allowed to earn a certain amount of income and still claim, particularly for very occasional or temporary work. In any case I would see if what was being offered could be turned into a new job as a tutor, bricklayer etc.
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