Prosecutions serve as a reminder to benefit claimants

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

The advice follows successful prosecutions on 1 November 2013 where Shropshire Council brought cases under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 against two benefit claimants. 

Amanda Edwards, 40, from Ellesmere, claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit, but failed to notify an increase to her working hours and income to Shropshire Council.  This meant that between 23 December 2009 and 1 October 2012 she benefited from over £6,000 to which she was not entitled. 

John Rodgers, 57, from Telford, claimed housing benefit but failed to disclose that he had vacated the claim address.  This meant that between 15 October 2011 and 11 November 2012 he benefited from about £5,000 to which he was not entitled.

In both cases the claimants pleaded guilty to the charges.

Amanda Edwards was Conditionally Discharged for a period of 12 months and was directed to pay £50 as a contribution towards Shropshire Council’s costs.

John Rodgers received a Community Punishment Oder comprising 120 hours unpaid work, and was directed to pay £100 as a contribution towards Shropshire Council’s costs.  

In addition to the sentences imposed by the Magistrates Court, 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, service manager for safer and stronger communities within public protection, said:

“From these cases, in the region of £11,000 had been claimed when the claimants were not entitled to this money; it is simply not acceptable for anyone to do this.  It is the responsibility of people claiming housing benefit and council tax support to declare any income or capital 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, 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 benefit 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.