Llanelli benefit man prosecuted
A Llanelli man has been prosecuted for claiming more than £3,000 in benefit and income support while receiving an occupational pension.
Llanelli Magistrates Court was told that Malcolm Davies, of Heol Dderwen, Llanelli, claimed housing and council tax benefit on the basis that he was a single man in receipt of income support.
In November 2007 a joint investigation was conducted between Carmarthenshire County Council and the Department for Work and Pensions into his claims for benefit and income support after information was received that he was receiving an occupational pension and also held capital which he had failed to declare.
Davies admitted at interview that he was in receiving an occupational pension from February 2007 and that he had received a substantial lump sum payment.
The court was told that Davies admitting failing to declare this to the housing benefit section. He said he had phoned the Job Centre to advise them of the change in his circumstances, however his benefit had not been reduced and there was no record of this with the DWP.
As a result of the undeclared change in circumstances, an overpayment of £1,463.40 housing benefit – rent rebate, and £317.09 council tax benefit has been recorded for the period from February to August 2007. The overpayment of income support was £2,093.46.
A joint prosecution was taken via DWP Legal Services. Davies pleaded guilty to a charge under S.112 Social Security Act 1992 of failing to declare a change in circumstances.
He was given a 12 month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £200 costs, in addition to having to repay the overpaid benefit.
Anyone wishing to report a suspicion of benefit fraud can do so on the hotline number 0800 801116 or via the council website.
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 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.”
Llanelli Magistrates Court was told that Malcolm Davies, of Heol Dderwen, Llanelli, claimed housing and council tax benefit on the basis that he was a single man in receipt of income support.
In November 2007 a joint investigation was conducted between Carmarthenshire County Council and the Department for Work and Pensions into his claims for benefit and income support after information was received that he was receiving an occupational pension and also held capital which he had failed to declare.
Davies admitted at interview that he was in receiving an occupational pension from February 2007 and that he had received a substantial lump sum payment.
The court was told that Davies admitting failing to declare this to the housing benefit section. He said he had phoned the Job Centre to advise them of the change in his circumstances, however his benefit had not been reduced and there was no record of this with the DWP.
As a result of the undeclared change in circumstances, an overpayment of £1,463.40 housing benefit – rent rebate, and £317.09 council tax benefit has been recorded for the period from February to August 2007. The overpayment of income support was £2,093.46.
A joint prosecution was taken via DWP Legal Services. Davies pleaded guilty to a charge under S.112 Social Security Act 1992 of failing to declare a change in circumstances.
He was given a 12 month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £200 costs, in addition to having to repay the overpaid benefit.
Anyone wishing to report a suspicion of benefit fraud can do so on the hotline number 0800 801116 or via the council website.
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 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.”
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