Fraud
We have a dedicated fraud section. Its aims are to detect and prevent housing and council tax benefit fraud.
The successful detection and prevention of benefit fraud can increase the amount of money available for use on other public services in East Hampshire. Detecting and preventing housing and council tax benefit fraud keeps your council tax down.
What is Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Fraud?
This type of fraud is when people claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax benefit but have no entitlement to the benefits. Benefit fraud also affects other Social Security Benefits. There are many types of benefit fraud. These are a few examples of the most common cases:
-
people who are employed but do not declare this work when they claim benefit
-
people who start work whilst claiming benefit, know that they should tell the Council about this change to their circumstances and fail to do so
-
people who claim as a single person but actually live with an un-declared partner
-
people who claim from an address but do not live there
-
people who do not declare their full income, savings or capital when they claim benefit
-
people who knowingly, provide false information when claiming or fail to notify changes to their circumstances
Housing and Council Tax Benefit fraud is a criminal offence, which the council has a duty to investigate. It is therefore very important that the information given when applying for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is correct and complete.
Why should I be concerned about Benefit Fraud?
Every year false benefit claims cost the country millions of pounds – money that could be better spent on public services for everyone. Benefit fraud is indirect theft from you (the tax payer). It is not a victimless crime but is a scourge on our communities and a total abuse of public money.