BISHOP'S STORTFORD: Man prosecuted for benefit fraud

10:53am Tuesday 13th May 2008

A BISHOP'S Stortford man has been prosecuted by East Herts Council after he continued claiming housing benefit for his South Street home - four months after moving out.

Timothy Black, 26, now of Snowley Parade, in Bishop's Stortford, admitted failing to declare changes in his circumstances which led to him being overpaid housing benefit totalling £1,200.

As well as his change of address, he failed to tell the council promptly when he stopped receiving Jobseekers Allowance and had started full time employment.

Housing benefit is designed to help people with low incomes to pay their rent and is worked out according to a variety of factors such as the claimant's earnings and how much rent they pay. This means it is important - and a legal requirement - to tell the council promptly if there are any changes so that payments can be adjusted.

Black was convicted on three counts of benefit fraud at Hertford Magistrates Court.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community punishment order requiring him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He receives a criminal record, and must pay back the money he wrongly claimed as well as £250 towards prosecution costs.

Bob Parker, the council's executive member with responsibility for benefits, said: "Our message is simple: don't try and claim benefits you're not entitled to.

"Last year we stopped fraudulent claims totalling over £222,400 and with help from people reporting their suspicions using our confidential benefit fraud hotline we'll continue to clamp down on the cheats."

East Herts Council provides a 24-hour benefits hotline - 0800 373 852 - that allows callers to give details confidentially of people they believe may be fraudulently claiming either council tax or housing benefit.

Suspicions can also be reported anonymously on-line through the council's website www.eastherts.gov.uk

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