Jeffrey Hicks moved out of his rented property in Lexden Drive to his new home and received £1,293.44 in Housing Benefit from Lewes District Council, to which he was not entitled.
The claim covered the period of July 23 2007 to November 12 2007. T
he district council was prompted to investigate his claim because of post that had been returned by the Post Office from the property in question, suggesting he was no longer a resident.
The 64-year-old was given the opportunity to explain the situation and was invited in for an interview under caution at the council offices on several occasions. He declined to be interviewed and a prosecution was arranged.
Last Tuesday (September 30) he pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change of circumstances regarding entitlement affecting housing benefit.
He was sentenced to a community punishment order of 12 months, including 40 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £668. In addition to this he will also be required to repay the benefit to which he had no entitlement.
Lewes District Council's anti-fraud section investigated more than 200 cases of suspected benefit fraud in the 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.
They encourage the public to identify fraudulent cases by calling the Fraud Hotline on 01273 484067 (24 hour answer machine), or the 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:
n People who say they are living alone but are not.
n People who say they are not working but are.
n People who fail to declare fully their income and capital.
n False tenancies and failing to advise the council of changes in circumstances.
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