Hendy woman in Benefit Fraud

A HENDY woman has been sentenced to a community order for offences of benefit fraud.

Rita Nolan, of Iscoed Road, Hendy, appeared before Carmarthen Magistrates Court for sentencing after having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to making false statements to Carmarthenshire County Council and the Department for Work & Pensions, contrary to Section 112 Social Security Administration Act 1992.

The court heard that Mrs Nolan was awarded Council Tax Benefit at 137 Iscoed Road, Hendy from July 5, 2010, on the basis that she was the sole occupier of the property and that her only income was Employment Support Allowance (Income Related). These benefits were awarded on the basis she did not have any other income or any capital assets.

A joint investigation was undertaken with the Department for Work & Pensions after she declared on a Council Tax Benefit Review form in March 2012 that she owned two other properties and that she received two occupational pensions.

Mrs Nolan was formally interviewed on June 29, 2012. She stated that she moved between the properties and her disabled son was resident at one of the addresses. Details were obtained of two occupational pensions and valuations were obtained from the Valuation Office for each property.

As a result of the investigation, it was discovered that Mrs Nolan was overpaid £1,419.47 Council Tax Benefit for the period July 5, 2010, to August 2, 2010, and Employment Support Allowance of £11,519.01 for March 1, 2009, to July 5, 2012.

The court sentenced Mrs Nolan to a 12-month community order with supervision and 160 hours unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £308 towards the prosecution costs.

Council executive board member for resources Cllr Jeff Edmunds said: “The county council wants people who are entitled to Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit to claim what they are rightfully entitled to.

“However, we are also determined to crack down on fraudulent claims. These offences take money from the public purse that could otherwise be used for funding essential services. It is taking money from every council tax payer.”

Members of the public can report any suspicion of benefit fraud in the county via the Carmarthenshire County Council Fraud Hotline 0800 – 801116 or via the council website.