Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Fraud

We want our customers to get the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit thay are entitled to. One way we do this is by having minimum levels of evidence we need to support each benefit claim.

This minimum level of evidence discourages people from claiming benefit they are not entitled to and helps us to detect those who do. Once a claim for benefit has been made the person who made the claim must tell us straight away of any changes in their circumstances.

Checking Information
We conduct checks to confirm if the information we hold is correct. We do this by;

• a home visit, or
• a postal form

All details such as, income, capital, people in the household and rent charged, are checked.

We may match the information we hold with the information held by others, such as,

• The Department for Work and Pensions
• HM Revenue and Customs
• Employers
• Pension Providers

If a person does not give us the correct information or does not tell us of a change of circumstances this can be classed as benefit fraud. It is a criminal offence to commit benefit fraud and we deal with instances in line with our prosecution policy.

Reporting Suspected Fraud
Benefit fraud is not only a criminal offence but it also reduces the money available to help those who need help. If you think someone is getting benefit they should not be getting, then tell us. We have a dedicated Benefit Investigation Team who follow up all allegations of fraud. You do not need to give your name. Any information you give us will be treated confidentially.

Ways you can tell us;

• Complete our on-line Fraud Referral Form
• E-mail us at benefits.fraud@stockton.gov.uk
• Call the Fraud Hotline Freephone 0800 328 6340
• Write to us at, Benefit Investigation Team, Benefits Service, 16 Church Road, Stockton, TS18 1TX