Shrewsbury couple ordered to pay back benefits worth over £6,000
A young couple from Shrewsbury have been ordered to pay back over £6,000 of benefits to which they were not entitled.
The couple were successfully prosecuted when Shropshire Council brought a case under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 against 23-year-old benefit claimant, David Barnett, and his 21-year-old wife, Charlotte Barnett, from Shrewsbury.
The couple claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit, but failed to report the start of Mrs Barnett’s paid employment to Shropshire Council. This meant that between 9 March 2011 and 27 May 2012 they benefited from over £6,000 to which they were not entitled.
Mr and Mrs Barnett pleaded guilty to the offences and the Magistrates Court sentenced them to a total of 140 hours Community Service, and ordered them to pay £250 costs to Shropshire Council. They will also have to pay back the £6,000 that they were not entitled to.
Public protection investigation officers are reminding benefit claimants that they must declare the correct information at the time of their application, and notify any subsequent changes in circumstances at the time they occur, to avoid breaches of benefit legislation.
Frances Darling, service manager for safer and stronger communities, within public protection and enforcement, said:
“It is the responsibility of people claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit to declare any income or earnings to the council, plus any other changes to their circumstances. Where people fail to do this, the council will investigate the matter and will require the money to be repaid. In addition, we will not hesitate to prosecute where this is appropriate.”
Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for public protection and enforcement, added:
“Claimants need to be aware that benefit fraud will not be tolerated in Shropshire. We have a duty to protect the public purse, and to ensure that those members of our community who genuinely need financial assistance through the benefit system have the help and support they need. Claimants who obtain benefits that they are not entitled to undermine the efficiency and effectiveness of the welfare benefit system. I strongly urge all claimants to provide the benefits service with accurate claim information at all times, and to promptly provide any changes to their circumstances that may affect their entitlement to benefits.”
