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 5 July 2013 where Shropshire Council brought cases under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 against four benefit claimants.

Angela Ford, 51, from Shrewsbury, claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit, but failed to give prompt notification to Shropshire Council that her earned income had increased as a consequence of a change to employment. This meant that between 10 September 2010 and 12 July 2012 she benefited from over £2,300 to which she was not entitled.  Mrs Ford failed to attend the Magistrates Court and was sentenced to a £400 fine, with costs of £150 awarded in her absence.

Alfred Marchant, 50, from Oswestry, claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit, but failed to give prompt notification to Shropshire Council that his partner’s average earnings had increased.  This meant that between 25 May 2011 and 2 July 2012 he received benefit of over £4,000 to which he was not entitled.  He pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced by the Magistrates Court to a £55 fine and ordered to pay £75 costs to Shropshire Council.

Hayley Evans and Mark Evans, a couple in their 40s from Shrewsbury, claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit, but dishonestly failed to disclose to Shropshire Council periods of employment for Mr Evans.  This meant that between 11 August 2010 and 8 December 2011 they benefited from around £7,500 to which they were not entitled.  Both husband and wife pleaded guilty to the offences and were separately sentenced by the Magistrates Court to a 12-month Community Punishment Order comprising 100 hours unpaid work.

In addition to their sentences, the claimants 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, or general advice can be found on our website here.