Prosecution serves 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 a successful prosecution on Friday 10 January 2014, where Shropshire Council brought a case under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 against benefit claimant Eileen Jones, 49, from Shrewsbury.
Ms Jones claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit, but failed to promptly notify an increase on her earned income to Shropshire Council. This meant that between 6 November 2011 and 19 August 2012 she benefited from over £2,250 to which she was not entitled.
Ms Jones pleaded guilty to the offence, and the Magistrates Court sentenced her to a 2- year Conditional Discharge and ordered her to pay a contribution towards Shropshire Council’s costs in the sum of £120. Ms Jones will also be liable to pay back the £2,258.63 that she was 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 this case there was a total of over £2,250 that had been claimed when the claimant was not entitled to the 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:
“I hope this sends a clear message to others that fraudsters will be caught and punished. This is not a victimless crime, as fraudulently claimed benefits takes money out of the pockets of every hardworking taxpayer, as well as the people who genuinely need support to make ends meet. 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 at http://shropshire.gov.uk/counciltax.nsf/open/861D7BA89ABF09CB8025755F004C8706
