Prosecution serves as a reminder to benefit claimants
Shropshire Council’s public protection and enforcement team is reminding housing benefit and council tax benefit claimants of their statutory duty to promptly notify its benefit service of changes in circumstances that might affect their entitlement to these benefits.
The advice follows a successful prosecution on 13 February 2013 where Shropshire Council brought a case under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 against a 23-year-old benefit claimant, David Barnett, and his 21-year-old wife, Charlotte Barnett, from Shrewsbury.
The couple claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit, but failed to report the start of Mrs Barnett’s paid employment to Shropshire Council. This meant that between 9 March 2011 and 27 May 2012 they benefited from over £6,000 to which they were not entitled.
Mr and Mrs Barnett pleaded guilty to the offences and the Magistrates Court sentenced them to a total of 140 hours Community Service, and ordered them to pay £250 costs to Shropshire Council. They will also have to pay back the £6,000 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, service manager for safer and stronger communities, within public protection and enforcement, 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 responsible for public protection and enforcement, 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 and enforcement service on 0345 678 9001 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 0345 678 9001, and general advice can be found on our website by clicking here.
