In pursuit of the benefits cheats (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

In pursuit of the benefits cheats

8:42am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Behind the News By Helen Mead

Benefit fraud costs the country billions of pounds every year.

For the past two years, across the country, around £3.3 billion has been overpayed due to fraud and error.

In Bradford, in the year up to January 1, 2012, a staggering £2,268,434 was identified by Bradford Council’s counter fraud investigation team as money to which claimants were not entitled.

Housing benefit and council tax remain the core of their workload, although the team now tackles a growing number of additional Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits such as income support and incapacity benefit. And for the past year they have dealt with fraudulent use of blue badges issued to disabled people.

Last year, Council Tax and housing benefit accounted for £85,847 of money fraudulently claimed – “slightly up” on the previous 12 months.

There are a number of reasons why people are targeted, explains Jill Hawtin, of the counter fraud investigation team. “Some fail to declare that they are working, others do not declare that they are living with a partner – many of whom are working – and a number of people claim benefits while having a large amount of cash in savings.

“With people living together, you could have one person claiming numerous benefits such as housing and council tax plus income support, while the other person has a job.”

The team – which received more than 3,000 referrals last year – works closely with other agencies, carrying out data- matching to share information and look for anomalies. “We check to see if there is any information in other claims about which they have not told us,” says Harry Singh, assistant benefits manager with the counter fraud review team.

They also receive tip offs to a special benefit fraud hotline.

For the year up to January 1, 2012, 374 new investigations were followed up by action. Thirty six prosecutions were carried out for council tax and housing benefit, each one successful. Punishments can range from fines to custodial sentences.

Currently, the team is investigating 361 cases of fraud and looking into 290 cases of low-level fraud.

“Those convicted have to repay the money, plus investigation costs,” says Harry. “We target claims which, by the look of them, we believe will bring the most effective result.” Ninety people received a caution.

Says Jill: “Some people are relieved when they are caught. They may have started off claiming and intended to stop, but they do it for one month, then another, and another – it goes on and on.”

In the past year, more than £200,000 has also been clawed back from householders fraudulently claiming a 25 per cent discount for living alone under the Single Persons Discount.

Officers made visits to homes to verify the circumstances under which people claimed they were living.

Action can be taken over those flouting the rules, as traffic warden Michael Brooks discovered last week. He was sentenced to a community order with 300 hours of unpaid work and instructed to pay towards the Council’s legal costs, after using fictitious names to dishonestly claim a discount.

Some fraudulent claims, which do not contain any local authority benefits, are forwarded to the Department for Work and Pensions. “There has to be a Council benefit and payment for us to investigate,” says Harry.

Adds external liasion team member Alice Percival: “You find that if people are defrauding in one area, they may be doing the same in another.”

The team can also refer claims to a West Yorkshire-based investigation team who will look at areas including proceeds of crime recovery processes. “We are making more links with other agencies now,” says Alice.

A year ago, the team began work alongside officers from the authority’s parking services department to tackle the misuse of blue badges for parking, which can now lead to prosecution.

“Many drivers feel strongly about this,” says Harry. “Situations include someone having passed away but the family member carries on using the badge, and badges being used by family members.”

Parking wardens call the team if they spot a suspected infringement of the pass. Last year, the Council held an amnesty inviting people to hand back passes and had a number of returns.

Since April, nine prosecutions have been carried out. “People still have to pay a parking ticket fine, but don’t expect any more action – but now they could face costs and a further fine.”

Bradford Council’s Benefit Fraud hotline is 0800 1697451.