Council successfully prosecutes woman for housing benefit fraud

Shropshire Council’s public protection service is reminding Housing and Council Tax Benefit claimants of their statutory duty to correctly declare information that might affect their entitlement to these benefits.

The advice follows a successful prosecution on 29 November 2013 where Shropshire Council brought a case under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 against a benefits claimant.

Tracey Robinson, 48, from Whitchurch, claimed Housing Benefit but failed to give prompt notification to Shropshire Council knowing her change in liability to pay rent would affect her entitlement to benefit. This meant that between 13 February 2012 and 10 March 2013 she benefited from over £3,700 to which she was not entitled.

Mrs Robinson entered a guilty plea and due to her early guilty plea and previous good character, the Magistrates sentenced her to a Conditional Discharge and ordered her to pay costs of £50 to Shropshire Council. She will also be liable to pay back the £3,765.33 that she was not entitled to.

Shropshire Council’s 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, service manager for safer and stronger communities, 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 Shropshire Council’s benefits options team on 01743 258922, or general advice can be found on our website.