At Braintree District Council we strongly believe that all residents in the district who are entitled to benefits should receive them.

Fortunately most claimants are honest. However, some individuals either knowingly or dishonestly claim benefits fraudulently.

A person can commit a criminal offence in three ways……..

1) to make a false statement on your application or to omit to tell us something that may affect your benefit. This is when you do not tell us your true circumstances when you claim benefit.

2) to supply false documents. This is where you give us documents to support your claim, which you know to be false or do not believe to be true.

3) to fail to notify the Benefits Department at Braintree District Council, in writing, of any change in your circumstances.

2009/2010

In the financial year 2009 to 2010 the Fraud Section has proven hundreds of Benefit Fraud offences and as a result has identified £225,000 of benefits that were paid out in fraudulent claims.

Regardless of whether further action is taken in relation to benefit fraud, ALL overpaid monies are recovered by the council. 

Where further action was taken, in total, the Fraud Section successfully prosecuted 32 benefit claimants during this period. This is in addition to 87 further sanctions which can include a financial penalty.

Link to ‘successful prosecutions’ 

Many of these prosecutions are as a direct result of information provided by residents of the Braintree District Council area. Please continue to help us stop these people stealing our money by reporting any potential benefit fraud.

- Report Benefit Fraud