Crime Solicitors

Councils across Lincolnshire have launched a new campaign, in an attempt to crack down on housing benefit fraud and error.

Local publisher the Louth Leader reports that across Lincolnshire, the annual spend on Housing Benefit is £160,000,000 for around 52,500 households.

However, a parliamentary report into annual expenditure on Housing Benefit in the UK found that most councils were affected by claimant error or deliberate fraud.

The Lincolnshire campaign Tell Us will run until March 2016 – and during the campaign, all Lincolnshire local authorities will be checking residents’ Housing Benefit claims.

The campaign’s message to claimants is:

If you claim Housing Benefit, Tell Us about all changes in your circumstances, such as money coming into the home, people who live in your home, savings and investments. /

The initial focus will be on those considered at high risk of not having reported changes, which may mean they might have been overpaid Housing Benefit, which will have to be repaid.

Local authorities acknowledge, however, that some claimants may have simply forgotten to let their council know about a change in their circumstances – which might include children moving out of the home or leaving full-time education, as well as claimants who get a job or receive a pay increase.

South Kesteven District Council Benefits Manager, Heather Green, said:

“Anyone who claims Housing Benefit and has had a change in their circumstances that might affect the amount of benefit they receive should contact their local District or Borough Council immediately.

“Most residents will be claiming the correct amount and therefore do not need to worry.

“However it is an offence not to declare changes in circumstances – and anyone found to be in receipt of Housing Benefit that they are not entitled to may have to pay back the money and could face court action or financial penalty.

“Tell us. We want to help claimants avoid being in such a position.”

Under welfare reforms, Housing Benefit is now being paid directly to tenants rather than to landlords, meaning some claimants already in financial difficulty may have problems paying their rent if Housing Benefit is “eaten up” by an overdraft or other essential expenditure.

Some UK councils are working with residents in rent arrears because of changes in the way Housing Benefit is paid.

However, claimants convicted of benefit fraud may face a prison sentence of up to ten years, with relatively low-level benefit fraud cases now able to be referred to a Crown Court for trial and tougher sentencing under the Fraud Act, after recommendations made by the former Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, in 2013.

Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Solicitors

Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge for benefit fraud – including advising before a charge is brought or if there is a likelihood of interview under caution.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a benefit fraud solicitor can attend an interview with the Department for Work and Pensions or local council fraud investigation team to advise on benefit fraud charges.

Duncan Lewis is a leading provider of Legal Aid criminal defence services.

For expert legal advice on benefit fraud, call Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors on 020 7923 4020.