Stratford-on-Avon District Council is warning people found to be abusing the Housing and Council Tax Benefit system that the threat of prosecution is real.
The warning comes after investigation staff discovered that a claimant had fraudulently been claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefit and had failed to declare to the District Council that his circumstances had changed.
The claimant, Mr Robert Bromley of Salford Priors, admitted failing to declare that he had returned to work as a caterer, after having previously told the Council that he was off work due to illness, knowing that his earnings would have an effect on his award of Housing and Council Tax Benefit. The offence continued over almost two years during which time Mr Bromley's wife also started work. District Council Investigators uncovered the fraud, which resulted in overpayments of both benefits totalling nearly £10,800.
When summonsed to Stratford Magistrates Court in March, Mr Bromley pleaded guilty to the offences. Magistrates handed down a sentence of 150 hours unpaid work in the community and to pay the District Council's £350 full prosecution costs. Mr Bromley is also required to repay the full £10,800 to the Council.
Stratford-on-Avon District Council is committed to paying Housing & Council Tax Benefits to only those with a genuine entitlement, and is dedicated to fighting fraud. Reminding every person making claims to benefits from the public fund that it is their responsibility to report changes which may affect their claim to the Council, as soon as such a change occurs is part of that drive to combat fraud.
If you wish to report a suspected fraud you can contact the District Council via our fraud hotline on 01789260486 or via email to fraud@stratford-dc.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can ring the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 328 6340 - Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 6.30pm (the information will be passed to investigators in the appropriate local authority).
All information will be treated in confidence.
