Solihull Council

November 2011

• A 40 year old woman from Smithswood, Solihull accepted a Formal Caution following a successful investigation by the Council’s Benefit Fraud Team.  She failed to promptly declare to the Council changes to her sons income, resulting in an overpayment of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit totalling £4,426.73 which is now being repaid.
• A 46 year old woman from Marston Green was offered and accepted a Formal Caution following a successful investigation by the Council’s Benefit Fraud Team and Job Centre Plus Fraud Team.  She failed to promptly declare to either department changes to her partners income resulting overpaid Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support totalling £13,566.40
• A 58 year old man from Solihull was successfully prosecuted at Solihull Magistrates Court following a joint investigation by the Council’s Benefit Fraud Team and JobCentre Plus Fraud Team. He had failed to advise either department about capital he had inherited.  He pleaded guilty in court to the offence of failing to declare changes in his circumstances.  He was fined £65 and ordered to pay costs of £100 and a £15.00 victim surcharge. He is also repaying the overpaid Jobseekers Allowance and Council Tax Benefit totalling £2444.39.
• A 46 year old woman was successfully prosecuted at Warwick Crown Court following a joint investigation by the Council’s Benefit Fraud Team and Job Centre Plus Fraud Team. She had failed to advise either department that she had capital in excess of £30,000.00. She was found guilty in court to the offence of failing to declare changes in her circumstances and was sentenced to a 6 month prison sentence, suspended for 12 month and was ordered to take part in a 'victim workbook' course. She is also repaying the overpaid Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit totalling £28,691.39.
• A 65 year old man from Chelmsley Wood, Solihull accepted a Formal Caution following a successful investigation by the Council’s Benefit Fraud Team and Job Centre Plus Fraud Team.  He failed to advise either department that he had capital in excess of £35,000.00 resulting in an overpayment of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Pension Credits totalling £6,761.52.
• A 35 year old man from Solihull accepted a Formal Caution following a successful investigation by the Council’s Benefit Fraud Team.  He failed to promptly declare to the Council changes to his wife’s income resulting in an overpayment of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit of £3076.75.