Benefit fraud: help us to stop it!
Summary
Benefit fraud is estimated to cost the taxpayer at least £2 billion per year
If you suspect someone is committing benefit fraud (e.g. they are working while also claiming benefits) tell us now - call FREE on 0800 3896109.
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Further information
At the Benefits Service we believe strongly that everyone in South Norfolk who is entitled to benefit, should get it. However you may be confused by the complicated rules and are perhaps worried that you may commit a benefit fraud by mistake. The guidelines below will help you to be clear about what benefit fraud is, so that you can make your claim without worrying.
Our Code of Practice for getting information from employers, contractors and the self-employed when investigating Benefit Fraud can be downloaded by following the link above.
Our policy for dealing with benefit fraud and our code of conduct for officers, inspectors and fraud investigators can be found on our Benefits Ant-Fraud & Corruption Policy page.
Types of benefit fraud
There are three main areas in which benefit fraud is committed:
1) It is a Criminal Offence to make a false statement. This is when you do not tell us your true circumstances when you claim benefit. One example is not telling us that either you or your partner are working.
2) It is a Criminal Offence to supply a false document. This is where you give us fake documents to support your claim. One example would be a driving licence that is fake or has been tampered with.
3) It is a Criminal Offence to fail to notify promptly of a change in your circumstances in writing. Promptly means within one month of the date that you knew of the changes. Examples would be when you start work or your wages go up.
We will pursue all overpayments of benefit. Find out about benefit overpayments.
If you make a benefit claim
During your claim for benefit if you tell us about all of your circumstances, and any changes as they arise in writing then you have nothing to worry about.
The Investigations Team can get information from employers, contractors, self-employed people, pension providers and licensing authorities. Our Code of Practice detailing how we do this can be downloaded by following the link under 'downloads' above.
If you have any queries please call the Investigations Team on 01508 533900.
Want to get an idea of how much benefit you are entitled to? Answer the questions in our online benefits calculator to get an estimate. Or, make a benefit claim now.
Related pages on this website
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Benefits Team |
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| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | benefitsmailbox@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| freephone: | 0800 389 6109 |
| telephone: | 01508 533633 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk Council South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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Last updated on: 03 May 2013