Types of Benefit Fraud
The types of benefit fraud we come across are:
Working and claiming - this, for example,
involves claimants who are receiving housing/council tax benefit on
the basis that they are entitled to job seekers allowance/income
support but are in fact working.
Non-disclosure of property, capital or income -
this is where the claimant does not tell us about all their income,
savings, capital or property so that the amount of benefit they get
is higher than it should be.
Non-disclosure of partner (living together as
man and wife, as civil partners and as same sex couples) - this
involves a claimant receiving housing and council tax benefit and
not telling us they have a partner, knowing that if they did they
would not be entitled to benefit.
Non-declaration of non-dependants or
sub-tenants - this is where a claimant does not tell us
about other adults living in the property so that they keep, or
increase their entitlement to benefit.
False claims by homeowners - this is where the
owner of a property falsely claims housing benefit, stating they
are paying rent for the property, inventing a fictitious landlord
and using false rent books and tenancy agreements.
False address or failing to declare a change of
address - this is where the claimant is claiming benefit
for an address where they do not live. These types of offences can
involve the landlord or other tenants, or occur when the claimant
doesn't tell us that they have moved out of a property.
Landlord fraud - this is where a landlord
continues to receive benefit paid direct to them when they know the
claimant has left the premises.
Fictitious tenancies - this is where a tenancy
is created between friends or family where the property would not
normally be rented in order to obtain benefit to which they are not
entitled.
Remember, if you are receiving benefit yourself it is your
responsibility to notify the local authority
immediately of any change in your circumstances
that may affect your entitlement to benefit.
You cannot assume that other organisations, like the Department
for Work and Pensions, will notify us on your behalf.
Contact Details
Benefit Fraud Hotline
Telephone: (0500) 658008
Email: benefitsinvestigation@sstaffs.gov.uk