Llanelli woman sentenced
A Llanelli woman has been sentenced to community punishment for benefit fraud.
Dana Wookey pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates Court to offences of dishonestly failing to declare changes in circumstances under Section 111(A) (1) (c) Social Security Administration Act 1992.
The court was told that 32-year-old Mrs Wookey claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit on the basis that she was a single parent and also in receipt of Income Support at a private tenancy.
A joint investigation was conducted by Carmarthenshire County Council with the Department for Work and Pensions Fraud Investigation Section into an allegation that Mrs Wookey’s estranged husband had returned to live with her. She admitted in interview that they had reconciled for a period.
As a result she was overpaid £789.70 in council tax benefit and £5,408.07 in housing benefit. The Income Support overpayment was £3,376.69 making a total of £9,574.46 overpaid benefit.
Wookey, of Christopher Street, Llanelli, was sentenced to 12 months Community Punishment Order of 200 hours and ordered to pay £75 costs.
Council executive board member for resources Cllr Wyn Evans said: “The council is anxious that as many people as possible claim the council tax benefit and housing benefit that they are rightfully entitled to.
“However, we are also determined to crack down on fraudulent claims that are a drain on the public purse, taking money that could otherwise be used for funding essential services. This offence is taking money from every council tax payer.”
Anyone wishing to report a suspected Benefit Fraud can do so via the Carmarthenshire County Council Fraud Hotline 0800 – 801116 or via the Council website.
Dana Wookey pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates Court to offences of dishonestly failing to declare changes in circumstances under Section 111(A) (1) (c) Social Security Administration Act 1992.
The court was told that 32-year-old Mrs Wookey claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit on the basis that she was a single parent and also in receipt of Income Support at a private tenancy.
A joint investigation was conducted by Carmarthenshire County Council with the Department for Work and Pensions Fraud Investigation Section into an allegation that Mrs Wookey’s estranged husband had returned to live with her. She admitted in interview that they had reconciled for a period.
As a result she was overpaid £789.70 in council tax benefit and £5,408.07 in housing benefit. The Income Support overpayment was £3,376.69 making a total of £9,574.46 overpaid benefit.
Wookey, of Christopher Street, Llanelli, was sentenced to 12 months Community Punishment Order of 200 hours and ordered to pay £75 costs.
Council executive board member for resources Cllr Wyn Evans said: “The council is anxious that as many people as possible claim the council tax benefit and housing benefit that they are rightfully entitled to.
“However, we are also determined to crack down on fraudulent claims that are a drain on the public purse, taking money that could otherwise be used for funding essential services. This offence is taking money from every council tax payer.”
Anyone wishing to report a suspected Benefit Fraud can do so via the Carmarthenshire County Council Fraud Hotline 0800 – 801116 or via the Council website.
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