Benefit fraud sanctions 2011/12
In the financial year 2011/12 the benefit fraud investigation team successfully prosecuted 13 people and cautioned a further 15 for benefit fraud offences and issued 18 Administrative Penalties. The following information lists the offence and the sentences received along with the amount of benefit they were paid. All of these people failed to inform the council of a change to their circumstances or failed to state the true nature of relationships at the start of their claim. Below are shown details of some of the cases sanctioned by Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council. A total of £238,325.52 of overpaid benefit was identified by the investigation team for the 2011/12 period. Below are shown a selection of the sanction cases for 2011/12.
Prosecutions
1. Mr R from Chineham was found guilty of claiming housing benefit while failing to declare that he left the property he had claimed from. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £50.00 in costs. Housing benefit received £2,418.60.
2. Mr W from Oakridge was found guilty of claiming housing and council tax benefit while failing to declare that he commenced employment. He was given a curfew order and was ordered to pay £297.80 in costs. Housing benefit received £2686.84. Council Tax benefit received £699.84.
3. Mr C from Buckskin was found guilty of claiming housing Benefit and council tax benefit while failing to declare that he had capital in excess of £16,000. He received a Community punishment order of 100 hours and ordered to pay £474.00 costs. Housing Benefit received £14,747.27 and Council tax benefit of £3,056.30.
4. Mrs M from Popley was found guilty of of claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit while failing to declare that she had capital in excess of £16,000. She received 6 months imprisonment, suspended for one year. Housing benefit received £18,569.04. Council tax benefit received £3,469.77.
5. Mrs G from South Ham was found guilty of claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit and while failing to declare that she had capital in excess of £16,000. She received a 26 week curfew between 9pm and 7am and ordered to pay £150.00 costs. Housing benefit received £20,276.24. Council Tax benefit received £4,795.52.
Cautions
All of these people either failed to inform the council of a change in their circumstances while claiming benefit or failed to declare their true circumstances at the start of their claim. Also listed are the amounts of benefit that were overpaid.
1. Ms J from Whitchurch failed to declare that she had been awarded a student loan. Housing benefit received £2,203.27.
2. Mr T from Popley to declare the fact he was working. Housing benefit received of £776.14.
3. Mr L from Winklebury failed to declare that he was working. Housing benefit received £2,321.76.
4. Mrs W from Beggarwood failed to declare that she was in receipt of tax credits. Housing benefit received £1,855.57. Council tax benefit received £622.93.
Administrative penalties
All of these people either failed to inform the council of a change in their circumstances while claiming benefit or failed to declare their true circumstances at the start of their claim. Also shown are the amounts of benefit that were overpaid
1. Mrs K from Oakridge failed to disclose she was working. Housing benefit received £3,913.62. She received an administrative penalty of £1,173.90.
2. Mr F from Winslade failed to declare he had capital in excess of £16,000. Housing benefit received £7,946.33. Council Tax benefit paid £2207.69. He received an administrative penalty of £3,046.20.
3. Mr F from Winklebury failed to declare that he was working full time. Housing benefit received £569.63. Council tax benefit received £175.28. He received an administrative penalty of £223.56.
4. Ms G from South Ham failed to declare that she was working full time. Housing benefit received £544.67. Council Tax benefit of £233.75. She received an administrative Penalty of £233.52
5. Mr T from Hatch Warren failed to declare that he was working full time. Housing benefit received £713.27. Council Tax Benefit of £92.93. He received an administrative Penalty of £241.85.
In addition to the administrative penalty administered by the council the persons listed must pay back all of the benefit they have fraudulently claimed.
