Prosecution serves as a reminder to benefit claimants

Shropshire Council’s public protection service is reminding housing benefit and council tax benefit claimants of their statutory duty to promptly notify the council’s benefits service of changes in circumstances that might affect their entitlement to these benefits. 

The advice follows a successful prosecution on 19 July 2013 where Shropshire Council brought a case under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 against a 71-year-old benefit claimant, Gladys Woods, from Wem. 

Mrs Woods claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit, but failed to report an increase in her pay to Shropshire Council.  This meant that between 2 October 2006 and 8 July 2012 she benefited from over £6,500 to which she was not entitled. 

Mrs Woods pleaded guilty to the offence and the Magistrates Court sentenced her to a 12- month Conditional Discharge, and ordered her to pay £150 costs to Shropshire Council. Mrs Woods will also be liable to pay back the monies that she was not entitled to. 

Public protection investigation officers are reminding benefit claimants that they must declare the correct information at the time of their application and notify any subsequent changes in circumstances at the time they occur to avoid breaches of benefit legislation.  

Frances Darling, Shropshire Council’s service manager for safer and stronger communities within public protection, said:

“It is the responsibility of people claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit to declare any income or earnings to the council, plus any other changes to their circumstances. Where people fail to do this, the council will investigate the matter and will require the money to be repaid.  In addition, we will not hesitate to prosecute where this is appropriate.” 

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for public protection, added:

“Claimants need to be aware that benefit fraud will not be tolerated in Shropshire.  We have a duty to protect the public purse and to ensure that those members of our community who genuinely need financial assistance through the benefit system have the help and support they need.  Claimants who obtain benefits that they are not entitled to undermine the efficiency and effectiveness of the welfare benefit system.  I strongly urge all claimants to provide the benefits service with accurate claim information at all times, and to promptly provide any changes to their circumstances that may affect their entitlement to benefits.”  

Shropshire Council encourages individuals and businesses to contact its public protection service on 0345 678 9000 if they have any suspicions that offences may be being committed.  Information can be given anonymously and will always be treated in line with the council’s information governance policies. 

Benefits advice can be obtained from the council’s benefits options team on 01743 258922 or general advice can be found on our website here.