Council wins benefit fraud case

South Norfolk Council’s benefit fraud team has successfully prosecuted a couple who had fraudulently obtained Council Tax Benefit.

The case of Aubrey and Heather Ellener, of 30 Heywood Road, Diss, was referred to the Fraud Team in February 2004 after a claim was submitted showing payments from a nursing home to Mrs Ellener’s bank account. The couple had declared on their application forms since 2002 that Mrs Ellener was not working.

After investigation, the team discovered Mrs Ellener, 41, had been working for the nursing home since 1999.

At Norwich Magistrate’s court on Tuesday November 16, Mr and Mrs Ellener pleaded not guilty to making a false declaration in order to obtain £396.58 in Council Tax Benefit. They claimed that a member of staff from the council had advised them that they did not have to declare her earnings, as she did not have to pay income tax.

The Fraud Investigation Officer and member of the Benefits Assessment Team alleged to have given the advice, were witnesses for the council.

Magistrates found Mr and Mrs Ellener guilty and fined them £250 each with costs of £600 each, to be paid within seven days, bringing the total to £1,700. Mr and Mrs Ellener also repaid the Council Tax Benefit overpayment before the trial.

Tanya Tilford, the council’s Head of Revenue Services said:

“Our priority is to help people claim the benefits they are entitled to, but we also want people to know that if they are receiving benefits falsely, we will pursue them.

“We would rather not prosecute people, but when we do, we want them and the public to know that fraud is not acceptable. This case is the result of the hard work of the team, and I want to thank them for their efforts.

“Benefits are there to assist people in need – if you want help and advice about how to make a claim, please contact 01508 533633 and ask for the Benefits Team.

“And if you have any suspicions about false claims, call the fraud hotline in confidence on 0800 389 6109 “

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