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Crackdown on Single Person Discount fraud across Lincolnshire (6 June 2016)

Date: 06/06/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Crackdown on Single Person Discount fraud across Lincolnshire

The Lincolnshire councils Counter Fraud Partnership has launched a crackdown on Single Person Discount fraud.

The partnership comprising all Lincolnshire councils has to date recovered £615,000 of public money from people who have continued to receive single person discount either by claiming it in error or fraudulently, when they are not entitled to the discount.

Lincolnshire County Council says that enforcement action has been taken against 610 people, as they have either failed to respond or have provided misleading information.

Lincolnshire County Council’s Executive Director of Finance and Public Protection, Pete Moore, said:

“This type of exercise is part of our fraud prevention measures, which all Lincolnshire councils take very seriously.

“We do investigate and take appropriate action against people claiming council tax discount and exemptions that they are not entitled to.

“Every pound lost this way increases national and local taxation levels and also threatens essential services – £615,000 is a significant amount of money that is successfully being reclaimed. We will not tolerate those who potentially seek to defraud local taxpayers.

“Council tax payers must tell us within 21 days of any changes to their single occupancy circumstances – people who are genuinely claiming the discount have nothing to worry about, but anyone found to be deliberately misleading their local council could face a penalty of £70.

“We are obliged to amend any records we find to be incorrect back to the date of the change – this means householders do not benefit from withholding information from us and it makes the system fairer for everyone.

“If you don’t tell us, it could mean some households will find they have a considerable amount of council tax arrears to pay.”

Single Person Discount is available for householders who are the only person aged over 18 living in a property.

There are a number of exemptions who do not have to pay council tax at all, including full-time students, some apprentices, care workers and student nurses.

This means if someone lives with one other adult who is exempt, they could still be entitled to the discount.

According to the National Fraud Authority, council tax fraud is estimated to cost councils and taxpayers £130 million – of which £92m is undetected single person discount.

Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Lawyers

Duncan Lewis benefit fraud lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving benefit fraud, including charges relating to:

• Bedroom Tax
• Child Tax Credits
• Council Tax Discount
• Disability Living Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credits
• PIP
• Universal Credit
• Working Tax Credits.

Duncan Lewis can advise at the start of an investigation, as well as attending interview under caution with the DWP and local authority fraud investigators.

For expert legal advice on benefit fraud allegations, call Duncan LewisBenefit Fraud Lawyers on 0333 772 0409.


https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/crackdown-on-single-person-discount-by-all-lincolnshire-councils/129605.article

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