Prosecutions serve 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 correctly declare information that might affect their entitlement to these benefits. 

The advice follows successful prosecutions on 28 June 2013 where Shropshire Council brought cases under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 against two 58-year-old benefit claimants, Jeremy Sherratt from Shifnal and Susan Simpson from Bridgnorth.

Jeremy Sherratt claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit, but failed to give prompt notification to Shropshire Council that he had started paid employment. This meant that between 6 July 2012 and 13 November 2012 he benefited from over £2,500 to which he was not entitled.

Susan Simpson claimed council tax benefit, but failed to disclose capital held by her at the time of her application, and dishonestly failed to give prompt notification to Shropshire Council when the capital increased to exceed the prescribed level for claiming benefits. This meant that between 2 March 2009 and 29 July 2012 she received benefit of £2,200 to which she was not entitled.

Both benefit claimants pleaded guilty to the offences and were separately sentenced by the Magistrates Court to a 12-month Conditional Discharge and ordered to pay £150 costs to Shropshire Council.  They will also be liable to pay back the benefits that they were 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 capital to the council, plus any 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 responsible 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, and general advice can be found on our website here.