Council Council News Recent News October 2011 Press Releases Woman who claimed over £11,000 sentenced
Woman who claimed over £11,000 sentenced
Friday 14 October 2011
Woman who claimed over £11,000 sentenced
A woman from Sittingbourne who claimed over £11,000 in Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support that she was not entitled to has been given a 12-month Community Order and an 80-hour Community work Order.
The defendant Sittingbourne, was sentenced in Maidstone magistrate’s Court in September for failing to promptly notify the relevant authorities of a change of circumstances and was prosecuted for this offence under Section 112(1A) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.
The Court heard how the defendant had failed to notify the authorities that her partner had moved into the family home.
The fraud was established on 15 October 2010 from enquiries Swale Borough Council made with various agencies and credit search, and also surveillance at the property. The Council worked with the Department for Work and Pensions.
In total, £4622.43 of Housing Benefit, £939.44 of Council Tax Benefit and £5,532.55 of Income Support was fraudulently claimed, totalling £11,094.42. This was claimed between 09 February 2009 and 04 October 2010.
The defendant pleaded guilty and was given a 12-month Community Order and an 80-hour Community work Order.
Filmer Wellard, Swale Borough Council’s Investigation Supervisor, said “The investigation was conducted by officers from the Department for Work and Pensions and Swale Borough Council, demonstrating our commitment to working with other organisations to crack this problem. This is what residents want us to do and we consider preventing benefit fraud a top priority. This case demonstrates the need to let the relevant authorities know of any change in circumstances so that overpayments do not mount up.“
If you wish to report a change in your circumstances you can contact the Council’s Benefits office on 01795 417555.
Swale Borough Council also has a Fraud Hotline. If you wish to report a Benefit Fraud (all calls will be treated in confidence) you can do so on 01795 417714. Housing Benefit Fraud can also be reported using our online serivce.
