Reading Residents who claim benefits must inform the Council of any changes to their circumstances or could face being prosecuted.
Last Thursday (November 5th) four residents claiming housing and council tax benefit they were not entitled to were prosecuted at Reading magistrates’ court after being taken to court by Reading Borough Council.
It is important that Reading people who receive housing, council tax or other benefits inform the Council if their circumstances change, to make sure they receive the correct benefits.
Lynn Adams of Cumberland Avenue, Reading, was handed a 12-month conditional discharge by magistrates on November 5th, and ordered to pay £100 court costs.
Ms Adams, a single mum of four, had been falsely claiming Council Tax and Housing Benefit since July 2007, receiving payments totaling £3,558.19.
Kossi Singo of Bede Walk, Reading, was fined £120, plus £200 costs after falsely claiming Council Tax benefit while working as a self-employed taxi driver.
It was discovered on a routine check by Reading Council officers, that Mr Singo had applied to the Council to become a licensed taxi driver after submitting a benefit claim.
The £3,643.27 he received in overpaid Reading benefits has now been added to his Council Tax bill.
Abubakar Said of Don Close, Reading was fined £120 on Thursday and instructed to pay £120 in costs after being overpaid £9,107.61 in housing benefit and Council Tax.
Mr Said, who previously claimed his family’s only income was from child tax credit, child benefit and incapacity benefit, had failed to inform the Reading Council he was receiving additional income from a student loan after enrolling on a course at Thames Valley University.
And Mohamed Nazar of Radstock Road, Reading, was fined £200 plus £250 costs after claiming £1,831.17 in job seekers’ allowance from the Department of Work and Pensions and £418 in Council Tax benefits from Reading Borough Council.
Arrangements will be made between the residents and Council to recover the overpayment of benefit.
Jo Lovelock, Leader of Reading Borough Council, said: "The Council takes matters of benefit fraud extremely seriously. I hope these sentences serve as a reminder to residents its vital they let the Council know of any change of circumstance.
"Its only fair on the vast majority of council tax payers who do act responsibly that we follow up and take action against false claimants."
People who are caught cheating the benefits system can be fined up to £5,000 and be given a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment or both (in magistrates’ court).
If the case if referred to Crown Court, the penalties are more severe, where the maximum penalty is an unlimited fine or up to seven years imprisonment or both.
If you suspect anyone of fraudulently claiming benefits, cal the confidential hotline (0500) 500 777.
Housing benefit helpine – (0118) 9390824.
Reading Borough Council
