We aim to maximise the take up of Housing and Council Tax Benefits to those people who genuinely need and qualify for the benefit. We are here to help and guide claimants and encourage people to apply.
We also aim to detect fraudulent claims and protect public money from those who are intent on defrauding the benefit system.
Some examples of benefit fraud are:-
failing to declare
work or other income
resident partner
capital
ownership of a property
Sometimes claimants will receive a visit from the Benefit Visiting Officer. Please ensure that you are shown their identity badge and if in doubt contact 01784 446228 to confirm the name of that officer. This visit is part of normal procedures to check that the details on the claim for benefit are correct.
If a claimant has knowingly misled the Authority to obtain benefit then it will be cancelled back to the beginning of the incorrect claim (which could be over a long period of time).
an overpayment will be created of all benefits wrongly paid in respect of that claim. This overpayment must be repaid to the Authority (reduced by any underlying entitlement).
the Council will either prosecute under the Theft Act or Social Security Act.
or
add a further 30% penalty onto the overpayment which already exists.
sometimes a caution is issued.
the Benefits Team have a fraud hotline if anyone wants to report a suspected fraud. There is a voicemail service for when the office is unmanned.
FRAUD HOTLINE - 01784 446224
During the period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 the benefit fraud team have
the assessment of new benefit claims will be in accordance with the verification framework to reduce fraudulent claims entering the system;
all Benefit Officers will have regular training on identification of fraudulent documents and the framework key features ie cross-checking documents, etc;
investigation Officers will have regular training on fraud awareness and regularly access the latest initiatives from the various fraud web sites;
new claims, change of circumstances and reviews are checked. Any errors or inconsistencies are noted and reported to a senior officer'
results of fraud detected, including types of fraud shall be reported to the Benefit Officers on a monthly basis;
the Benefits Team are part of the national HBMS (Housing Benefit Matching Service) and the NFI (National Fraud Initiative) and all positive results are checked within a specified timescale;
the Benefits Team are subscribers to NAFN (National Anti-Fraud Network) and LAIOG (Local Authority Investigation Officer Group) to ensure the latest information and training is received;
the fraud hotline is published regularly in the Borough Bulletin at least twice a year;
anti-Fraud posters are displayed in the Foyer;
all new claims to benefit are sent a leaflet 'WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW'. In this leaflet there is a whole page covering the detection and penalties if fraud incurred and the hotline number'
benefit application forms are reviewed regularly;
a comprehensive prosecution policy exists setting out the criteria under which cases will be considered for prosecution or the application of other sanctions;
successful prosecutions are publicised in the local newspapers;
the Authority fully participates in the DWP fraud strategy;
the Benefits Team work closely with the DWP Fraud Team and undertake joint initiatives;
