South Staffordshire Council has a ZERO tolerance policy on benefit fraud.

 

January 2012

A 30 year old woman from Huntington accepted a formal caution for a first offence. A local authority investigation established that her partner had rejoined her household in May 2011 which had not been reported as a change in circumstances. The overpayments of housing and council tax benefit were just over £1,600.00 and are being recovered.

 

A 25 year old woman from Great Wyrley was sentenced by Magistrates following a joint investigation conducted by the Council with the Department for Work and Pensions. The joint investigation established that her partner had been living with her undeclared since September 2010 whilst claiming benefits. She pleaded guilty at Court and was fined £200.00 and ordered to pay £100.00 costs and a victim surcharge of £15.00.The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit identified were just over £1,600.00 and the overpayment of Income Support  just under £1,400.00. The overpayments are being recovered.

 

A 44 year old woman from Bobbington was sentenced by Magistrates following a joint investigation by the Council with the Department for Work and Pensions. The investigation had established that since July 2007 her employed partner was living with her undeclared whilst claiming benefits. She pleaded guilty at Court and was sentenced to 6 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months and then due to an early guilty plea this was reduced to a four week suspended sentence. She was also ordered to complete  170 hours unpaid work and pay costs of £100.00.The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just over £3,500 and Income Support just under £3,000 all of which are being recovered.

 

A 43 year old woman from Codsall was sentenced by Magistrates following a joint investigation by the Council with the Department for Work and Pensions. It was established that she had failed to report promptly a change in her circumstances namely that she had started work in August 2010. She pleaded guilty at the Court and was fined £150.00 with costs awarded of £100.00 and a victim surcharge of £15.00. The overpayment of housing benefit and council tax benefit was just over £13,000 and the Income Support overpayment just over £8,500 and these are to be repaid.

 

A 53 year old woman from Codsall was successfully prosecuted after she failed to co-operate and attend interviews with the local authority benefit investigation section. It was established that she had failed declare promptly a change in her circumstances namely that she had started work in December 2010.She pleaded guilty in the Magistrates Court and was fined £350.00 and ordered to pay costs of £324.00 and a £15.00 victim surcharge. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just over £3,000 and are to be repaid.

 

A 37 year old woman from Featherstone was prosecuted by the Council following an investigation which established that her husband had started work in October 2010. At the Magistrates Court she pleaded guilty to failing to report a change in her circumstances and was fined £530.00, ordered to pay costs of £325.00 and a victim surcharge of £15.00.The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just under £2,000 and are being recovered.

 

December 2011

A 38 year old woman from Codsall has been sentenced by Magistrates following a joint investigation conducted by the benefits investigation section with the Department for Work and Pensions. The investigation established that her employed partner had been living with her undeclared since July 2005 whilst claiming benefits. She pleaded guilty at Court and was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered to complete 40 hours unpaid work. The council tax benefit and housing benefit overpayment were nearly £26,000 and the overpayment of income support was over £17,000. The overpayments are being repaid.

 

A 66 year old woman from Codsall was sentenced by Magistrates following a joint investigation conducted by the Council with the Department for Work and pensions. The joint investigation established that her husband had been living with her undeclared since October 2006 whilst claiming benefits. She pleaded guilty at Court and was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months along with a 6 week curfew order. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit identified were just under £17,000 and the overpayment of Pension Credit just under £10,000. The overpayments are being repaid.

 

A 30 year old woman from Bobbington was sentenced by Magistrates following a joint investigation by the Council with the Department for Work and Pensions. The investigation had established that since March 2010 her employed partner was living with her undeclared whilst claiming benefits. She pleaded guilty at Court and was sentenced to a 2 year conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £100.00. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just over £3,500 and Income Support just under £3,000 all of which are being recovered.

 

A 43 year old woman from Codsall was sentenced by Magistrates following a joint investigation by the Council with the Department for Work and Pensions. It was established that she had failed to report promptly a change in her circumstances namely that she had started work in August 2010. She pleaded guilty at the Court and was fined £150.00 with costs awarded of £100.00 and a victim surcharge of £15.00. The overpayment of housing benefit and council tax benefit was just under £1,700 and the Income Support overpayment over £2,000 is being repaid.

 

November 2011

A 40 year old woman formerly from Wombourne has accepted an administrative penalty of just under £700.00 for failing to report promptly a change in circumstances. A local authority investigation established that her income from self employment had significantly increased from July 2010 and this had not been notified to the council. The council tax benefit and housing benefit overpayment were just over £2,000. The overpayment is being repaid.

 

A 26 year old woman from Essington has accepted a formal caution following a local authority investigation which identified her partner had started work whilst claiming benefits and this was dishonestly not reported on a change of address claim form. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit identified were just over £2,000 and are being repaid.

 

A 32 year old woman from Bilbrook has accepted a formal caution following a local authority investigation which had established that there had been significant increases in earnings and tax credits that had not been reported as a change in circumstances. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just over £3,000 and are being recovered.

 

A 50 year old man from Essington was cautioned for what a first offence was following a local authority investigation. It was established that he had failed to report promptly a change in his circumstances namely the inheritance of a half share of a property whilst claiming benefits. The overpayment of housing benefit and council tax benefit was just under £5,000 and is being repaid.

 

A 42 year old man from Codsall was sentenced by Magistrates and fined £152.00 with costs of £252.00 following a local authority investigation which established that he had started work after he had failed to sign on at the Job Centre. He had failed to notify the council of his change in circumstances. The man failed to co-operate with the investigation section and failed to attend all interview appointments. As a result of his failure to report a change in circumstances he was overpaid over £2,500 council tax benefit and housing benefit all of which is being recovered.

 

October 2011

A 69 year old man from Wombourne has been formally cautioned for a first offence. A local authority investigation established that he had failed to declare a private pension on his claim form whilst claiming benefits resulting in a housing benefit overpayment of just over £1,000. The overpayment is being repaid.

 

A 43 year old man from Codsall has accepted a formal caution following a local authority investigation which identified he had started work whilst claiming benefits and not reported his change in circumstances. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit identified were just over £1,300.00 and are being repaid.

 

A 42 year old man from Great Wyrley has accepted a formal caution following a local authority investigation which had established that working tax credits had been awarded in December 2010 and not reported as a change in circumstances. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just over £1,000 and are being recovered.

 

A 41 year old woman from Lower Penn was cautioned for what a first offence following a local authority investigation that established she had made a false claim for housing benefit for an address in Pattingham that she had never moved into. The overpayment of housing benefit was just under £750.00 and is being repaid.

 

A 30 year old woman from Codsall has accepted a formal caution following an investigation which established that she had started work whilst claiming benefits and failed to notify the council. As a result of her failure to report a change in circumstances she was overpaid over £1,200.00 council tax benefit which is being recovered.

 

A 34 year old man from Wheaton Aston has accepted a formal caution for what was a first offence. A local authority investigation established that he had changed employers and his earnings had increased significantly along with tax credits. None of these changes had been reported. Overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit of just over £1,700 were identified and are being recovered.

 

September 2011

A 51 year old man from Essington has been formally cautioned for making a false statement when claiming benefit. He had failed to declare his son was living at home and employed resulting in a council tax benefit overpayment of just under £1,000 which is now being repaid.

 

A 52 year old single man from Perton who had failed to declare he was a full time student has accepted an administrative penalty of nearly £600.00 following an investigation conducted by the Council.

He had been overpaid housing benefit of nearly £2,000 as a result of failing to report this change in circumstances and has made repayment arrangements.

 

Following a joint investigation between the Council and the Department for Work and Pensions a 31 year old woman from Codsall pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court to dishonestly failing to declare savings well over the £16,000 limit whilst claiming housing benefit, council tax benefit and

Job seekers allowance. As a result she had been overpaid just under £19,000 in benefits which she has repaid in full. She was sentenced to complete a community order of 200 hours unpaid work and pay costs of £100.00.

 

 

July 2011

A 23 year old man formerly from Perton was prosecuted at Barnsley Magistrates following a joint investigation with the Department for Work and Pensions. After failing to attend all interview appointments he pleaded guilty at Court to failing to report changes in his circumstances to both the Council and the Department namely that he was working. He was overpaid just under £2,000 in job seekers allowance, housing and council tax benefits. He was sentenced to a community order and all the overpayments are being repaid.

 

A 43 year old woman from Coven has been formally cautioned following a local authority investigation which established she had failed to report that her child tax credits had increased. As a result of this she was overpaid just under a £1,000 in housing benefits which is being repaid.

 

A 39 year old woman from Featherstone has been formally cautioned following a local authority investigation as she had started work which she did not report. She was overpaid just over £1,200 in housing and council tax benefit which are being repaid.

 

A 21 year old woman from Kinver has been formally cautioned for what was a first offence. A local authority investigation established she had failed to declare tax credits had been awarded. She was overpaid as a result of this just over £2,800 in housing benefits and council tax benefits which are being repaid.

 

June 2011

A 35 year old man from Codsall was prosecuted at Wolverhampton Magistrates following a joint investigation with the Department for Work and Pensions. He pleaded guilty to failing to report changes in his circumstances to both the Council and the Department namely that his partner was living with him. He was overpaid over £7,800.00 in job seekers allowance, housing and council tax benefits. He was sentenced to a 12 week curfew order between 1.00 pm and 1.00am and ordered to pay costs of £100.00 and all the overpayments are being repaid.

 

May 2011

A 37 year old woman from Codsall was prosecuted at Wolverhampton Magistrates after a joint investigation with the Department for Work and Pensions. She pleaded guilty to failing to report changes in her circumstances namely that her employed partner was living with her. She was overpaid over £2,400 in Income Support, housing and council tax benefits. She was fined £200.00 and ordered to pay costs of £100.00.

 

Following a joint investigation with the Department for Work and Pensions a 32 year old woman formerly from Featherstone  pleaded guilty at Stafford Magistrates of failing to report changes in circumstances that she knew would affect her entitlement to claim income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit, namely she was living together with her partner as husband and wife. She was sentenced to an 18 months community punishment order supervised by the probation service and ordered to pay costs of £100.00.She also has to repay the overpayments of income support ,housing benefit and council tax benefit which is just under £11,000.

 

A 71 year old man from Enville  was cautioned for a first offence after he failed promptly to report a change in his circumstances namely that he was working  on a casual  part time basis and the earnings he received affected his housing and council tax benefit going  back to May 2005. He had been overpaid just over £2,600 housing and council tax benefit which are being repaid.

 

A 46 year old woman formerly from Featherstone was prosecuted at Stafford Magistrates. She pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to report changes in her circumstances namely that she had left the address and moved to Stoke but continued to cash her housing benefit cheques for her previous address. She was overpaid over £2,700 in housing and council tax benefits. She was fined £100.00 and ordered to pay the council’s costs of £216.00 and a victim surcharge £15.00.

 

April 2011

Following a joint investigation between officers from the Council and the Department for Work and Pensions a 44 year old woman from Cheslyn Hay was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court to 21 weeks imprisonment for failing to declare changes in her circumstances namely that her working partner had been living with her since June 2004. She was overpaid as a result over £17,000 in housing and council tax benefit and over £13,000 Income Support all of which must be repaid.

 

March 2011

A 73 year old man previously from Weston Under Lizard was prosecuted at Stafford Magistrates for dishonestly failing to report promptly that he had left his address and moved to Oxfordshire in April 2009.He had been overpaid over £7,000 in housing benefit as a result and is paying this back. He was fined £100.00 and ordered to pay the council’s costs £252.00 and a victim surcharge of £15.00.

 

A 34 year old woman from Brewood was formally cautioned for failing to report promptly a change in her circumstances whilst claiming housing and council tax benefits. Her earnings had significantly increased in September 2009 and resulted in an overpayment of benefit just over £1500.00 which is being repaid.

 

A 46 year old woman from Brewood was formally cautioned for failing to report promptly changes in circumstances whilst claiming council tax benefit. She had been awarded working tax credits from August 2009.The overpayment of benefit is just over £1,500 and is to be repaid.

 

A 28 year old woman from Cheslyn Hay was cautioned for a first offence after she failed promptly to report changes in her circumstances going back to April 2009. She had changed jobs and her earnings and tax credits had increased none of which had been reported to the council. She was overpaid almost £1,300.00  housing and council tax benefit which are being repaid

 

October 2010

A 22 year old man from Great Wyrley was formally cautioned by the council when it was established he had failed to report promptly changes in his circumstances. He had failed to sign for job seekers allowance and then a few weeks later started had started work. He was overpaid just under £1,500 in housing and council tax benefits all of which must be repaid.

 

A 35 year-old woman from Perton was formally cautioned to failing to report promptly increases in working tax credits and child tax credits. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just under £700.00 and are being recovered.

 

September 2010

A 51 year old man from Shareshill was prosecuted at Wolverhampton Crown Court for dishonestly failing to report promptly changes in his circumstances namely that he had been working whilst claiming income support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit and had owned and sold property.

The overpayments of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit were just over £15,000 and Income Support £27,000 and have to be repaid. He pleaded guilty to four offences and was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment.

 

A 32 year old woman from Cheslyn Hay was prosecuted at Stafford Crown Court for dishonestly failing to declare that her partner was living with her and in employment whilst claiming income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit. She had been overpaid in excess of £25,000. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 20 week prison sentence suspended for 12 months with a 12 month supervision order. All monies are to be repaid.

 

A 39 year old woman from Penkridge was formally cautioned following a joint investigation with DWP which established her partner was living with her undeclared and in employment. The combined overpayments of housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support were just under £2,000.

 

A 27 year old woman from Codsall was formally cautioned by the council when it was established she had been working since September 2009 and child tax credits and working tax credits had also increased. She was overpaid just over £4,000 in housing and council tax benefits all of which must be repaid.

 

A 41 year-old man from Wombourne has been formally cautioned for both LA and DWP offences following an investigation that established he was working as self employed whilst declaring he was unemployed. The overpayments of housing benefit, council tax benefit and job seekers allowance were in excess of £600.00 and are to be repaid.

 

A 45 year-old man from Huntington has been formally cautioned following an investigation that established he had left the address which he had failed to report whilst receiving benefits resulting in overpayments of just over £1,000.

 

A 33 year-old woman from Featherstone was investigated following a review of her housing benefit claim which identified her earnings had increased and she had a second job. She admitted the offence and was formally cautioned. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit are just over £2,000 and are being repaid.

 

A 64 year-old woman from Featherstone left her mobile home on a permanent basis and failed to report this fact to the council. An investigation confirmed these facts and for a first offence which she admitted she accepted a formal caution and is repaying the overpayment of £600.00 housing benefit.

 

A 38 year- old woman from Essington failed to report to the benefits department that she had started a second job last year. An investigation was conducted which established as a result of this housing benefit and council tax benefit had been overpaid just under £1,000. She admitted that she had failed promptly to report this change in circumstances and accepted an administrative penalty for this first offence. All overpayments are to be repaid.

 

A 38 year-old woman from Cheslyn Hay accepted an administrative penalty following an investigation which identified her earnings had significantly increased in October 2009 which had not been reported to the Council. She admitted the offence and the overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit of just over £1,000 are being repaid.

 

August 2010

A 59 - year old man from Kinver, failed to declare that his wife’s wages had increased from October 2009 and as a result he was overpaid just under £900.00 in housing and council tax benefit. He admitted the offence of failing to promptly report a change in circumstances and accepted a formal caution for what was a first offence.

 

July  2010

A 28- year old woman from Cheslyn Hay accepted an administrative penalty for what was a first offence of failing to report promptly changes in her circumstances, namely that she had changed employers and another person had joined her household. The combined overpayments of housing benefit, council tax benefit were just over £1,300 which is being repaid.

 

A 48-year old woman from Churchbridge Cannock was formerly cautioned for a first offence by the council following an investigation which revealed she had failed to declare a new award of working tax credits. The overpayment of housing and council tax benefit to be repaid is just over £800.00.

 

A 24- year old woman from Wombourne failed to declare that her wages had significantly increased. The resulting overpayments of housing and council tax benefit of just under £2,000 are being recovered. She admitted the offence and accepted a formal caution for what was a first offence.

 

A 37- year old woman from Essington accepted a joint formal caution between the Council and the Department for Work and Pensions for what was a first offence of failing to report promptly a change in her circumstances. It was established during the investigation that she had started work and continued to receive housing benefit and council tax benefit and incapacity benefit. The combined overpayments of housing benefit, council tax benefit and incapacity benefit were just over £800.00.

 

A 36- year old man from Bobbington accepted a formal caution  for what was a first offence of failing to report promptly a change in his circumstances, namely that he had failed to sign at the job centre. It was established during the investigation that he had started work and continued to receive housing benefit and council tax benefit. The combined overpayments of housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support was just over £1,400 which is being repaid.

 

A 27-year old woman from Brewood was formerly cautioned for a first offence by the council following an investigation which revealed her income support had ceased in October 2009 which had not been reported. The overpayment of housing and council tax benefit to be repaid is just under £2,000.

 

A 55- year old woman from Perton failed to declare she had been awarded tax credits resulting in overpayments of housing and council tax benefit of just under £700.00. She admitted the offence and accepted a formal caution for the offence. All the overpayment is being recovered.

 

A 33- year old woman from Trysull, Wolverhampton failed to declare she was working at a nursing home whilst claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit. The overpayment of benefit were just under £1,600. She admitted the offence of failing to promptly report a change in circumstances and accepted an administrative financial penalty for what was a first offence which has to be paid in addition to the overpayments.

 

A 30-year old man from Cheslyn Hay was investigated for failing to report promptly changes in his circumstances. He had failed to sign and his job seekers allowance had stopped and he had changed address. He admitted the offence and accepted a formal caution for a first offence. The overpayment of housing and council tax benefit was just under £1,000.

 

A 60 – year old man from Huntington who failed to declare a private pension he was awarded has admitted he failed to promptly report a change in his circumstances resulting in overpayments of housing and council tax benefit of just under £800.00. He accepted a formal caution for what was a first offence. The overpayment of benefit has been repaid.

 

June  2010

A 64 year old woman from Codsall was prosecuted at Wolverhampton Magistrates by the council and DWP for dishonestly failing to report promptly changes in her circumstances namely that her husband had been working as a self employed ground worker from May 2006 to the beginning of March 2009.

The overpayments of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit were just over £8,300 and Pension credit £7,200 and have to be repaid. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 12 month Community order supervised by the probation service and costs of £100 were awarded.

 

A 36- year old woman from Great Wyrley accepted a formal caution from the Department for Work and Pensions and the Council following a joint investigation for what was a first offence of failing to report promptly a change in her circumstances namely that her partner had been living with her and in full employment whilst claiming income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit. The combined overpayments of housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support was just over £1,000 which are being repaid.

 

May 2010

A 37-year old woman from Shareshill was formally cautioned for failing to report promptly a change in her circumstances namely that she had started work. She was overpaid council tax benefit and housing benefit just under £600.00 which has to be repaid.

 

A 50- year old man from Coven accepted an administrative penalty of just over £700.00 for a first offence of failing to report promptly changes in his circumstances. He was no longer claiming employment and support allowance as he had commenced work. He was overpaid housing benefit and council tax benefit just under £2,400 which is being repaid.

 

A 43- year old man from Great Wyrley was prosecuted at Stafford Magistrates after failing to attend interviews arranged by the council. He pleaded guilty to failing to report promptly changes in his circumstances namely his income support had ceased and he had commenced work. He was fined £100.00 and ordered to pay the council’s costs of £252.00 and a victim surcharge of £15.00.

The overpayment of housing benefit and council tax benefit is just under £1,800 and is to be repaid.

 

A 52- year old woman from Perton was formal cautioned for failing promptly to report changes in her circumstances she knew would affect her housing and council tax benefit. She failed to report wage increases and a tax credit increase resulting in overpayments of benefit of just over £2,000 which are being repaid.

 

March 2010

A 25 year old man from Perton was prosecuted at Wolverhampton Magistrates by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Council following a joint investigation in relation to undeclared work.

The man failed to attend interview appointment arranged accordingly. The overpayments of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit were just over £500.00 and Job Seekers Allowance just under £1,400.He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 60 hours Community order supervised by the probation service and costs of £50.00 and ordered to repay all the overpayments.

 

A young couple in their early twenties from Wombourne accepted a formal caution for a first offence of failing to declare promptly changes in their circumstances, namely job seekers allowance had ceased and commenced employment. The overpayments of housing and council tax benefit were just over £1,500 and are being repaid.

 

A 23 year old woman from Huntington was prosecuted at Stafford Magistrates for dishonestly failing to declare changes in her circumstances namely that she had been receiving working tax credits and had 3 different employers since July 2007. The overpayment of housing Benefit, just under £7,000 and is being repaid. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 12 Month Community order supervised by the probation service and costs of £252.00 were awarded to the Council.

 

A 46 year old man from Huntington accepted a formal caution for failing to report promptly changes in his circumstances namely his earnings had increased significantly and tax credits. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just over £1,500 and are being repaid.

 

A 54 year old man from Perton was cautioned for failing to declare promptly changes in circumstances, namely that his non dependant son had been employed since July 2008. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just under £1,300 are being repaid.

 

A 50 year old woman from Featherstone accepted a formal caution for a first offence of failing to report promptly changes in her circumstances namely her earnings and tax credits had increased.

The overpayments of housing and council tax benefit were just over £1,300.

 

A 30 year old man from Brewood accepted a formal caution for failing to report that he was working and continued to receive housing benefit credit payments direct to his bank account he knew he was not entitled to. The overpayment of housing benefit was just over £800.00 which is being repaid.

 

A 39 year old man from Brewood accepted a formal caution for failing to declare promptly a change in circumstances that he knew would affects his benefits namely his partner was awarded tax credits. The overpayments of housing and council tax benefit were just over £1,000 and are being repaid.

 

A 41 year old woman from Brewood was formally cautioned for a first offence of failing to report promptly changes in her circumstances. Namely her incapacity benefit had increased changes to tax credits and disability living allowance had ceased.

The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just under £1,000 which are being recovered.

 

A 34 year old man from Wombourne accepted a formal caution for a first offence of failing to report changes in his circumstances he knew affected his benefits namely his earnings had increased significantly and tax credits. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit are just under £2,000 are being recovered.

 

February 2010

A 56 year old man from Perton was prosecuted at Stafford Magistrates for dishonestly failing to declare changes in his circumstances namely his partner was living with him and in employment. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just under £5,500 and being repaid. He pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined £175.00 and ordered to pay council legal costs of £252.00 and a £15.00 victim surcharge.

 

A 22 year old man from Cheslyn Hay accepted a formal caution for failing to declare promptly changes in his circumstances namely his job seekers allowance had ceased as he had failed to sign, tax credits were awarded and he commenced employment. The

overpayments were just under £2,000 and are being repaid.

 

A 56 year old man from Great Wyrley received a formal caution for a first offence of failing to declare promptly a change in circumstances. Namely that a non dependant had joined his household in April 2007. The overpayment of benefit was under £500.00 however because the offence had continued over nearly 3 years it was considered appropriate.

 

A 24 year old woman from Great Wyrley accepted a formal caution for a first offence of failing promptly to report changes in circumstances namely her partner had stopped receiving job seekers allowance and started work. The overpayments of housing and council tax benefit were just over £1,500 and are being repaid.

 

January 2010

A 35 year old man from Acton Trussell was prosecuted at Stafford Magistrates for failing to declare he was working and he was also a full time student. A joint investigation was conducted by the council with Jobcentre Plus and the facts were proven.

The overpayments of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit were just over £2,200 and are being repaid. There were also overpayments of over £2,000 income support and £1,000 invalid care allowance. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 100 hours community service with a 12 months supervision order and ordered to pay costs of £100.00.

 

A 38 year old man from Wombourne was prosecuted at Stafford Magistrates for failing to declare that his wife’s earnings had increased every month over the last two years.

The overpayments of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit were just over £4,000 and are being repaid. He pleaded guilty and was fined £100.00 and ordered to pay costs of £252.00 to the council and a £15.00 victim surcharge for a first offence.

 

A couple from Codsall aged 25 and 29 were prosecuted at Stafford Magistrates for failing declare changes in circumstances namely awards of tax credits and partner’s earnings following a return to work from maternity leave. The overpayment of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit were over £4,500 and are being repaid. Both pleaded guilty and were fined £130.00 and £100.00 respectively and both ordered to pay costs of £126.00 to the council and a £15.00 victim surcharge.

 

A 56 year old woman from Perton was prosecuted at Stafford Magistrates for failing to declare that her husband was working self employed as a taxi driver for Codsall Cars. The overpayments of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit were just over £3,000 and have been repaid. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 9 month Community order supervised by the probation service and costs of £252.00 were awarded to the Council.

 

A 33 year old woman from Great Wyrley was formally cautioned by the Council and the Department for Work & Pensions following a joint investigation for failing to declare she was working whilst claiming housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support.

The overpayments of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support were just over £700.00 and all monies have to be repaid.

 

December  2009

A 66 year old man from Coven was prosecuted by the Council and the Department for Work & Pensions following a joint investigation for failing to declare his partner had been living with him since 1995.

The overpayments of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Pension Credit were over £18,000. Wolverhampton Magistrates sentenced the man to 6 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months with a further 12 month supervision order. All monies also have to be repaid.

 

A 42-year old woman from Coven following a formal interview has accepted a caution for a first offence of failing to report promptly a significant increase in her tax credits which she knew should have  reported. She also has to repay the overpayment of housing benefit which is just over £1,000.

 

A 50 year old man from Codsall was prosecuted by the Council and the Department for Work & Pensions following a joint investigation for failing to declare he was working as a mechanic and also had an employed partner living with him.

The overpayments of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support were over £37,000. Wolverhampton Magistrates sentenced the man to 18 weeks in prison and all monies have to be repaid.

 

A 32-year old woman from Perton was prosecuted at Cannock Magistrates for failing to report promptly changes in her circumstances namely she was working for a taxi firm and her husband had rejoined her household. She had failed to contact the council on several occasions when interview appointments were made and failed to respond to two letters from the Council’s solicitor. She was overpaid council tax benefit and housing benefit just over £900.00. The Court sentenced her to a 2 year conditional discharge and has to repay all the overpayment and council costs of £252.00 were awarded.

 

October  2009

A 45-year old woman from Trysull was formally cautioned for not declaring she had increased earnings. At her interview under caution she admitted not promptly reporting this change in her circumstances. She was overpaid council tax benefit and housing benefit just over £1,000 and all is to be repaid.

 

A 45-year old woman from Huntington was cautioned after admitting she had failed promptly to reporting increases in her earnings which she knew she had to report on time. She was overpaid housing benefit and council tax benefit just over £1,000 which is being repaid.

 

A 24-year old woman from Huntington was formally cautioned for not declaring she had increased earnings and an increase in tax credits. At her interview under caution she admitted not promptly reporting changes in her circumstances. She was overpaid council tax benefit and housing benefit just over £500.00 and all is to be repaid.

 

A 26-year old woman from Coven was cautioned after admitting she

had failed promptly to reporting  increases in her earnings and tax credits which she knew she had to report on time. She was overpaid housing benefit and council tax benefit just under £600.00 which is being repaid.

 

A 30-year old woman from Perton was formally cautioned for not declaring she had changed jobs with increased earnings and an increase in tax credits. At her interview under caution she admitted not promptly reporting changes in her circumstances. She was overpaid council tax benefit and housing benefit just over £700.00 and all is to be repaid.

 

A 25-year old woman from Swindon was formally cautioned for not declaring she had started work and her income support had ceased. At her interview under caution she admitted not promptly reporting changes in her circumstances. She was overpaid council tax benefit and housing benefit just over £1,500 and all is to be repaid.

 

A 69-year old man from Stourton was formally cautioned for not declaring his wife’s private pension and increases in tax credits following a interview under caution at the council. He was overpaid council tax benefit and housing benefit  just over £2,000 and all is  to be repaid.

 

September 2009

A 37- year old woman from Brewood accepted a formal caution for a first offence of failing to report promptly a change in her circumstances namely that her tax credits had increased from July 2008. The overpayments of housing benefit, council tax benefit of just over £1,000 are being repaid accordingly.

 

August 2009

A 55-year old woman from Huntington, Cannock following a joint investigation with the Department for Work and Pensions was prosecuted for failing to declare all her capital over capital limits. She pleaded guilty to all offences and was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £225.00.She also has to pay back overpayments of housing benefits, council tax benefit and income support in total over £13,000.

 

A 30- year old woman from Cheslyn Hay was prosecuted following a joint investigation with the Department for Work and Pensions. She pleaded guilty at Stafford Magistrates to all charges and was sentenced to a 12 months community order with costs of £225.00 for failing to declare a change in her circumstances namely her partner was living with her. The overpayments of housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support were in excess of £8,500 and are being repaid.

 

A 51- year old woman from Essington accepted a formal caution for a first offence of failing to report promptly a change in her circumstances namely that her earnings had increased from October 2008. The overpayments of housing benefit, council tax benefit of £582.41 are being repaid accordingly.

 

A 34-year old woman from Wombourne was cautioned for a first offence of failing to declare promptly changes in her circumstances. She had changed employers as a care worker with increased earnings and tax credits. She had been overpaid £3,000 in housing and council tax benefits which was prosecutable; however she could have lost her job and has repaid the overpayments.

 

A 55- year old man from Penkridge accepted a formal caution for failing to declare promptly a private pension he awarded in February 2007. The overpayment of council tax benefit was over £1,200.

 

A 41-year old woman from Cheslyn Hay was jointly investigated with the Department for Work and Pensions for failure to declare savings over benefit capital limits. She accepted a formal caution for the first offence both from the council and the Department for Work and Pensions. The overpayments of council tax benefit and income support were just over £2,000 and are being repaid.

 

A 22- year old woman from Great Wyrley accepted a formal caution for failing to declare she was receiving an award of child tax credits. The overpayments of council tax benefit and housing benefit of £1,600 are being repaid.

 

A 62 year old man from Penn was jointly investigated and prosecuted by the council and the department for Work and Pensions for failing to declare a change in his circumstances namely he was working undeclared and still claimed incapacity benefit, housing benefit and council tax benefit. He was overpaid well over £4,000 which he has to repay. He pleaded guilty to all charges at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court and was sentenced to a 6 months community order and £200.00 costs.

 

A 38-year old woman from Codsall who failed to declare increases in tax credits was formally cautioned for a first offence. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just over £2,500.

 

A 25-year old woman from Perton accepted she had failed to declare changes in her circumstances. She was cautioned for failing to declare increases in tax credits. It was an overpayment of over £2,500 which is being repaid accordingly.

 

A Kinver man age 44 was interviewed under caution for failing to declare promptly he had a new employer and a significant increase in wages resulting overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit of over £1,700. He accepted an administrative penalty for what was a first offence.

 

A 44-year old woman from Wedges Mills, Cannock accepted a formal caution for not declaring her increases in earnings as a care worker and tax credits resulting in overpayments of housing and council tax benefit just over £2,000 which are to be repaid in full.

 

A 35-year old woman from Lower Penn was interviewed and admitted she had acted dishonestly for failing to declare a change of address and continued to cash housing benefit payments after she had left the district. She received a formal caution for the first offence and has repaid the housing benefit overpayment of over £1,200.

 

A 25- year old woman from Codsall who was overpaid housing benefit and council tax benefit of over £1,000 failed to declare increases in tax credits. She admitted not reporting her changes in circumstances and accepted a formal caution and is repaying the overpayments.

 

A 44- year old care worker from Perton was cautioned after being interviewed about increases in earnings that had not been promptly reported as a change in circumstances. She was overpaid just over £1,500. which is being recovered.

 

July 2009

A 47- year old from Great Wyrley was cautioned for failing to declare her new care home employment, and a significant increase in earnings than in her previous job. The overpayments of benefit were over £2,500 which is being repaid.

 

A 40- year old woman from Huntington was formally cautioned for failing to declare tax credits for a first offence. The overpayments of housing and council tax benefit over £2,000 are being repaid.

 

A 41-year old woman from Trysull accepted a formal caution for not declaring changes in her circumstances namely increases in earnings and tax credits. She had been overpaid housing benefit and council tax benefit over £1,800 which is being recovered.

 

June  2009

A 39-year old woman from Codsall failed to declare that her earnings had increased significantly. She was interviewed under caution and accepted a formal caution for a first offence. She was overpaid over £700.00 in housing and council tax benefit.

 

A 56-year old woman from Brewood following a targeted exercise on supermarkets in the district accepted a formal caution for failing to declare she was working. She was overpaid just over £2,000 housing and council tax benefit for what was a first offence.

 

A 46-year old man from Brewood accepted a formal caution for failing to declare that his wife was employed and receiving undeclared earnings. He was overpaid over £400.00 in benefits.

 

A 67 year old man from Acton Trussell admitted he had failed to report changes in circumstances namely he was receiving tax credits ,and his wife had changed her employer with increased earnings resulting in overpayments of housing and council tax benefit just over £800.00.He accepted a formal caution for the offence.

 

A 28- year old woman from Wombourne accepted an administrative penalty for failing to declare promptly a change in her circumstances namely she had a partner and income support had ceased. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were over £700.00.

 

A 50- year old woman from Kinver who failed to declare all her savings accounts was overpaid over £400.00 in council tax benefits. She admitted she had not declared all her savings and accepted a formal caution for the offence.

 

A 56- year old woman from Wheaton Aston accepted a formal caution for not declaring a significant increase in her earnings at a care home. It was a first offence and exceptionally as she could lose her job it was considered not in the public interest to instigate proceedings. The overpayments of over £5,000 are being repaid in full.

 

A 31- year old woman from Kinver was interviewed and cautioned for a first offence of not declaring a significant increase in her wages resulting in overpayments of £800.00 in housing and council tax benefit.

 

A 21- year old woman from Huntington following a joint investigation with the Department for Work and Pensions was cautioned for failing to declare that her partner was living with her.

The overpayments of housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support were over £800.00.

 

A 30- year old woman from Penkridge accepted a joint administrative penalty for a first offence of failing to report promptly a change in her circumstances namely that her partner was living with her and in full employment since the end of March 2008.A joint investigation was conducted between officers from the Council and the Department for Work and Pensions. The combined overpayments of housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support was just over £2,500 which is being repaid.

 

May  2009

A 51- year old man from Wombourne following a joint investigation with the Department for Work and Pensions was successfully prosecuted for working undeclared using a false name to avoid detection and failing to declare his wife was working part time. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. The overpayments of housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support exceeded £15,000 and all have to be repaid.

 

A 49- year old woman from Kinver accepted an administrative penalty for a first offence of failing to report promptly changes in her circumstances namely that her earnings had significantly increased. The overpayment of housing benefit was just under £800.00 which is being repaid.

 

A 40- year old man from Great Wyrley admitted he had failed to declare promptly changes in his circumstances he knew he had to report, namely increases in his earnings and tax credits. The combined overpayments of council tax benefit and housing benefit were over £1,600.00 and have been repaid. He accepted an administrative penalty for the offence which has also been paid.

 

April  2009

A 50- year old woman from Wombourne, was found guilty by Stafford Magistrates of failing to report changes in her circumstances promptly namely that she had several jobs since 2006 which had not been declared. She was sentenced to a community based penalty of 80 hours unpaid work at the direction of the probation service and ordered to pay the Council costs of £80.00. The combined overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just over £3,400.

 

A 40- year old woman from Codsall,was found guilty by Stafford Magistrates of failing to report promptly a change in her circumstances namely that she had failed to declare that her wages had significantly increased and she knew her benefits would be affected. She was sentenced to a community based penalty of 120 hours unpaid work at the direction of the probation service and ordered to pay the Council costs of £280. The combined overpayments of council tax benefit and housing benefit were over £5,500.00.

 

A 42- year old woman from Wombourne, was formally cautioned after admitting failing to report changes in her circumstances promptly that she knew affected her benefits, namely that her tax credits and earnings had increased significantly. The combined overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit which are being repaid are just under £1,900.00.

 

March 2009

A 39- year old man from Wheaton Aston was successfully prosecuted by the council and the Department for Work and Pensions for dishonestly failing to declare he owned property worth over the prescribed limit of £16,000 to claim housing and council tax benefit and Income Support. The overpayments to be recovered combined were in excess of £16,500.00.He was sentenced to a 12 months community service supervision order with £225.00 costs.

 

A 26- year old woman from Hilton, Featherstone was jointly formally cautioned by the council and the Department for Work and Pensions for failing to report that her partner was living with her and in employment. She fully accepted she knew her benefit would be affected by the change in circumstances which she failed to report.

The combined overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit and income support to be recovered were in excess of £1600.

A 40-year old woman from Codsall was formally cautioned by the council for failing to promptly report a change in circumstances that she admitted would affect her benefits. Her husband was working full time which was not reported. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit to be recovered were in excess of £1,300.

 

A 44– year old man from Perton accepted a formal caution for a first offence. He fully admitted that he had signed declarations to report changes in his circumstances he knew he should have reported namely that his job seekers allowance had ceased and he had started work. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit to be recovered are just in excess of £2,200.00.

 

A 31- year old man from Huntington admitted that he had failed to declare his wife had started full time work and he knew at the time he should have reported this fact as his benefits were being overpaid. As it was a first offence a formal caution was offered and accepted. The recoverable overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were in excess of £1,500.

 

A 57-year old man from Great Wyrley and his 59 year old partner were jointly investigated by the council and the Department for Work and Pensions for dishonestly failing to declare all their savings which exceeded the capital limit of £16,000.They both admitted the offences and were formally cautioned accordingly. The combined overpayments of council tax benefit and income support to be recovered exceeded £1,400.00.

 

February 2009

A 22- year old man and his 28-year old partner from Perton were both formerly cautioned after admitting they had failed to declare promptly to the council changes in their circumstances which they knew would affect benefit entitlement. Namely increases in earnings and new employment. The overpayments of housing and council tax benefit were just over £1,500.

 

A 24- year old woman from Wombourne was formally cautioned for failing promptly to declare a significant increase in earnings and tax credits which she fully admitted she should have declared. The overpayments of housing and council tax benefit were over £1,900.00.

 

A 24- year old man from Codsall was formally cautioned for failing promptly to declare a significant increase in his earnings which he admitted he knew would affect his benefits entitlement. The overpayments of housing and council tax benefit were in excess of £1,200.00.

 

January  2009

A 41- year old man from Great Wyrley was offered and accepted an administrative penalty failing promptly to report to the council a change in his circumstances which he knew he should have reported. He failed to report that he had started full time work. The combined overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit were just over £600.00. It was decided taking all factors into consideration that an administrative penalty was appropriate for what was a first offence.

 

A 50- year old man and his 54 year old partner from Cheslyn Hay were offered an administrative penalty which they accepted for failing to report promptly that his Job seekers allowance had ceased due to full time work. The combined overpayments of council tax benefit and housing benefit were over £1,300.00.

 

A 42-year old woman from Perton was offered and accepted an administrative penalty for failing to declare promptly a significant increase in tax credits and wages. The combined overpayments of housing and council tax benefit were over £1,500.

 

A 48- year old woman from Codsall was jointly investigated by the Council and the Department for Work and Pensions and accepted a formal caution for failing to promptly report she was receiving maintenance. The combined overpayments of council tax benefit and exceeded £1,800.

 

November  2008

A 22- year old woman from Great Wyrley was offered and accepted a formal caution for dishonestly failing promptly to report to the council a change in her circumstances which she knew she should have reported. She failed to report that she had received a capital inheritance over the £16,000 prescribed limit to claim benefits. The combined overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit and Income support of over £300.00 were kept to a minimum due to a prompt investigation of the claims. It was decided taking all factors into consideration that a formal caution was appropriate for what was a first offence.

 

A 17- year old man from Featherstone was offered and accepted a formal caution for failing promptly to report to the council and to the Department for Work and Pensions a change in his circumstances which he knew he should have reported. He failed to report he had started work as an apprentice. He was overpaid over £2,000 in benefits as a result and is repaying back all the benefit he was not entitled to.

 

October 2008

A 21- year old man from Codsall was offered and accepted an administrative penalty for failing promptly to report to the council a change in his circumstances which he knew he should have reported. He failed to report his job seekers allowance had ceased and he had started work full-time. He was overpaid over £1,500.00 in benefits as a result and is repaying back all the benefit he was not entitled to.

 

A 69- year old man from Huntington was cautioned by the council for a first offence. He admitted at interview he had made a claim to housing and council tax benefit that he knew was false as he failed to declare all his joint savings which were above capital limits. His 65 year old wife was also cautioned for knowingly allowing him to make a claim for benefit that she knew was false. They are also required to repay overpayments of benefit of over £1,600.00.

 

A 43-year old man from Cheslyn Hay was offered and accepted an administrative penalty by the council for a first offence. He had failed to declare his job seekers allowance had ceased and that he was working. At interview he admitted he knew he had to report changes in his circumstances promptly to the council, which he failed to do over a period of 6 months. He is also required to repay the council tax benefit overpayment of £1,107.00.

 

A 29- year old woman from Great Wyrley was offered and accepted a formal caution for dishonestly failing promptly to report to the council a change in her partner’s circumstances which she knew she should have reported. She failed to report her partner’s job seekers allowance had ceased and he had started work full-time. The overpayments of housing benefit and council tax benefit are over £3,000 for a six month period, and are to be repaid. The matter was considered for prosecution and it was decided taking all factors into consideration a formal caution was appropriate for what was a first offence.

 

September 2008

A 43- year old man from Featherstone was offered and accepted an administrative penalty for failing promptly to report to the council a change in his circumstances which he knew he should have reported. He failed to report his job seekers allowance had ceased and he had started work full-time and as a result over a period of 8 months was overpaid over £700.00.

 

A 22-year old man from Great Wyrley was cautioned by the council for a first offence. He had failed to declare his job seekers allowance had ceased and that he was working. At interview he admitted he knew he had to report changes in his circumstances promptly to the council, which he failed to do, and that he knew he was not entitled to the benefit he was being paid. He is also required to repay the Housing benefit overpayment of £1,265.00.

 

A 62-year old man from Huntington, Cannock was cautioned by the council for failing to declare he was working and that his incapacity benefit had ceased. At interview he admitted that he knew his housing and council tax benefits would stop and that he failed promptly to report the changes in his circumstances. The overpayment he is required to repay is over £1,500.

 

A 41-year old man from Pattingham was cautioned for a first offence by the council for failing to declare he was no longer receiving incapacity benefit from November 2007 and was in fact in full time work. He accepted he knew his benefit would have stopped and he had failed to report his changes in circumstances. The overpayments of housing and council tax benefit were just over £2,000 which he is required to repay.

 

A 41- year old man from Featherstone was cautioned by the council for failing to declare he was receiving incapacity benefit. At interview he admitted that he knew his council tax benefit would be affected and that he failed promptly to report the change in circumstances. The overpayment over a six month period was just under £500.00 which he is required to repay.

 

A 43- year old woman from Codsall was cautioned by the council for not declaring an increase in her wages. At interview she admitted she knew her council tax benefit would be affected and that she had failed to report promptly her change in circumstances. The overpayment of benefit was just under £700.00 and she is required to repay the benefit accordingly.

 

August 2008

A 54- year old man from Cheslyn Hay accepted an administrative penalty given by the council for a first offence. He had failed to declare promptly that he had a change in circumstances namely he had changed employment and his income had significantly increased. At interview he admitted he knew he had to report changes in circumstances and failed to do so, and that as a result of not reporting the change he had been overpaid six months of housing and council tax benefit over £2,000, which he must repay.

 

June 2008

A 47- year old man from Kinver appeared before Halesowen magistrates Court on 9.6.2008 following a joint investigation between the Council and the Department for Work & pensions.

 

He pleaded guilty to two charges of dishonestly failing to notify a change in his circumstances namely that he was in full time work which had resulted in overpayments of housing benefit £1,139.94,council tax benefit £245.59 and incapacity benefit £703.94.He was given a 12 month conditional discharge and costs awarded of £175.00.

 

May 2008

A 42- year old man from Great Wyrley appeared before Stafford Magistrates on 19.5.2008 following a joint investigation conducted by the council’s benefit investigation team and the Department for Work & Pensions. He pleaded guilty to dishonestly claiming incapacity benefit, and housing and council tax benefits of over £5,000 whilst he was in full time work. He was fined and ordered to pay costs of £100.00 and repay all the overpayments.

 

A 29- year old woman from Great Wyrley appeared before Stafford Crown Court on 29.5.2008 following a joint investigation between the council’s investigation team and the Department for Work & Pensions. She pleaded guilty to three charges of dishonestly failing to notify changes in her husband’s circumstances namely that he was in full time work which had resulted in overpayments of housing benefit £17,617.96,council tax benefit £3535.08 and Income Support £8422.37.

 

April 2008

A 51-year old man from Kinver was cautioned by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Council for a first offence. He had failed to declare he was working and had provided a false name to his employer to avoid detection. At interview he admitted he had acted dishonestly to obtain benefits he knew he was not entitled to. He is also required to repay the Housing and Council Tax benefit overpayment of over £441.00.

 

March 2008

A 38- year old male from Featherstone appeared before Stafford Magistrates following and investigation by the Council’s Benefit Investigation Team. He had failed to report a change in his circumstances, namely that he had started work. He continued to receive Housing and Council Tax Benefits he knew he was not entitled to. He was invited to attend interviews to explain his actions but was uncooperative from the outset of the investigation. He was sentenced to a 12 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £180.00. He is also required to repay the Housing and Council Tax benefit overpayment of over £1,200.00.

 

January 2008

A 50- year old male from Wombourne appeared before Stafford Magistrates following an investigation by the Council’s Benefit Investigation Team. He had failed to report a change in his circumstances, namely that he was no longer in receipt on Job Seekers Allowance. He continued to receive Housing and Council Tax Benefits he knew he was not entitled to. He was invited to attend interviews to explain his actions but he failed to attend. He pleaded guilty to theft and was sentenced to a 12 month Community Order with a requirement of supervision from the Probations Service. He is also required to repay the Housing and Council Tax benefit overpayment of over

£2,500.00.

 

A 47- year old woman from Penkridge appeared before Stafford Magistrates following an investigation by the Council’s Benefit Investigation Team. She had failed to report a change in circumstances, namely that her partner had started work. She continued to receive Housing and Council Tax Benefit she knew she was not entitled to. She pleaded guilty to dishonesty and was fined £500 and ordered to pay the Councils costs of £180. She is also required to repay the Housing and Council Tax Benefit of  £1,313.33

 

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