Solihull Council

May 2009

• A 39 year old Chelmsley Wood woman was offered a Formal Caution after a successful investigation by Solihull Council Benefit Investigation Team. She had failed to report that she was in receipt of Working Tax Credits . In addition to this she is being asked to repay the £1,230.01 Housing and Council Tax Benefit Benefit over paid to her.
• A 55 year old Solihull man was prosecuted after a successful investigation by Solihull Council Benefit Investigation Team. He had failed to report that his wife had been working for a local department store for the last 4 years. The discrepancy was discovered by one of the in house Solihull Community Housing Team officers. He attended Solihull Magistrates Court and he was sentenced to 150 hours community service, given an 18 months supervision order and ordered to pay £100 costs. In addition to this he is being asked to repay the £11,134.50 Housing and Council Tax Benefit Benefit over paid to him.
• A 40 year old Chelmsley Wood woman was offered a Formal Caution after a successful investigation by Solihull Council. She had failed to report that her Tax Credits had increased. In addition to this she is being asked to repay the £415.35 Housing and Council Tax Benefit Benefit over paid to her.
• A 65 year old Chelmsley Wood woman was offered a Formal Caution after a successful investigation by Solihull Council. She had failed to report that she had received an increase in her State Retirement Pension. In addition to this she is having to repay the £1,992 Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit over paid to her.
• A 54 year old man from Shirley was successfully prosecuted at Solihull Magistrates Court following a joint investigation by the Council’s Benefit Fraud Team and Job Centre Plus Fraud Team. When he made his claim to Job Seekers Allowance and Council Tax Benefit he failed to declare that he had capital in excess of £16,000. He pleaded guilty in court and was fined £165 and ordered to pay £150 costs and £15 victim surcharge. He has also repaid the overpayment in full.
• A 52 year old Kingshurst woman was offered a Formal Caution after a successful investigation by Solihull Council. She had failed to report that she had returned to work for Solihull Council after being of work sick and receiving SSP only. In addition to this she was asked to repay the £1,002.33 Housing and council Tax Benefit Benefit over paid to her, which has been paid, in full. Although her husband was the claimant, she had completed the claim forms and was therefore guilty of the offence.
• A 41 year old Chelmsley Wood woman was offered a Formal Caution after a successful investigation by Solihull Council. She had failed to report that her Tax Credits had increased. In addition to this she is being asked to repay the £1,122.45 Housing and Council Tax Benefit Benefit overpaid to her. Her husband was the claimant, but as she was the one who had completed the claim forms, she was guilty of the offence.