24 October 2008: Two Housing Benefit fraud cases successfully prosecuted

Media: PR1067

On 13 October 2008 Mrs Jean Stewart of Meridian Court, Peacehaven was prosecuted by Lewes District Council for claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefit at two addresses simultaneously and for failing to declare that her resident landlord was her son.  She received £7236.17 Housing Benefit and £871.02 Council Tax Benefit that she was not entitled to.

This prosecution was prompted by a government matching service which indicated that she was claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefits for a property in Iford Close, Seaford whilst also claiming benefits from Forest Heath District Council.   During the investigation queries were also raised concerning the tenancy at the Seaford property.   Mrs Stewart was given opportunities to clarify all the issues but she declined to be interviewed.

The claims were subsequently terminated for the period that she was residing in the Forest Heath area and also for an earlier period when she was residing with a close relative, benefit is not allowed where the landlord of the property is a close relative and also lives at the same address. 

Mrs Stewart pleaded guilty at Lewes Magistrates Court on the 13 October and was sentenced on 22 October to an 18 month community service order with 300 hours of unpaid work and £225 costs. 

The other case also heard on 13 October was that of Ms Mitchell of The Dock in Firle, East Sussex.  The investigation found that Ms Mitchell had failed to declare that she had started working in January 2006.  Ms Mitchell received £7009.18 Housing Benefit and £1677.06 Council Tax Benefit to which she had no entitlement. 

She also pleaded guilty on 13 October and was sentenced on 22 October 2008 to a 12 month community service order with 80 hours of unpaid work with costs of £225. 

In addition to these sentences Lewes District Council will also be seeking repayment of all the overpaid benefits. 

Lewes District Council’s anti fraud section investigated over 200 cases of suspected benefit fraud last year. Where fraud is established, the Council always considers prosecuting, in order to protect public funds and stop further abuse of the benefits system.

We encourage the public to identify fraudulent cases by calling our Fraud Hotline on 01273 484067 (24 hour answer machine), or our Investigation Section on 01273 484065, or by e mailing fraud.section@lewes.gov.uk. All calls are treated in the strictest confidence.

The types of fraud investigated include:

• People who say they are living alone but are not
• People who say they are not working but are
• People who fail to declare fully their income and capital
• False tenancies and failing to advise the Council of changes in circumstances.