Woman in Benefit Fraud

AN Amman Valley woman has been prosecuted for fraudulently claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit.

Llanelli magistrates were told that Joanne Marie Evans, claimed the benefits from Cwmamman Road, Glanamman from January 2011, stating that she was the sole adult resident.

An investigation commenced following an allegation that another adult female was also living at the property.

Miss Evans was interviewed under caution and admitted that her friend, a Miss Elaine Rowland, had been living at the address since her tenancy had commenced in November of 2010.

Joanne Evans agreed that she had made a false declaration on her application for benefit by not declaring that Miss Rowland was also resident at the claim address, stating that she was definitely in the wrong and that she knew that she had made a mistake.

As a result, there were overpayments of £2,332.77 housing benefit and of £679 council tax benefit.

Miss Evans, of Tircoed Road, Glanamman, pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates Court to the offence and was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £250. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.

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

“But 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.