Benefit fraud is not a family matter
A Hailsham man has received a six month prison sentence for a housing benefit fraud in which he illegally took over £5,000 over a three year period.
Eastbourne Magistrates Court heard that Robert Stewart (26), of 1 Woodside Terrace, Polegate Road, Hailsham, had submitted eight housing benefit applications to Wealden District Council between November 2001 and October 2004 to cover rent which he claimed to be paying for his accommodation.
Although he confirmed on each of the forms that he was not related to his landlord, an investigation carried out by Wealden revealed that the person entered on the form as his landlord was, in fact, his mother.
“Housing benefit is not payable when you are in fact renting a room from a close family member who lives at the same property,” said Councillor Mrs Margaret Kirkpatrick, Cabinet member for Housing and Community Development on Wealden District Council. “The rules regarding the receipt of housing and council tax benefits make it quite clear, and our investigators remain watchful for such cases.“
If you think someone is claiming benefit to which they are not legally entitled to, you can phone the District Council’s benefits investigation office on the confidential answerphone 0800 318849. Please leave as much information as possible. This is a freephone service. You do not have to give your own name.
