£50k benefit fraud - an unsatisfactory case

There are several reasons why this case is unsatisfactory.

• The claim went on for almost eight years, allowing her to amass nearly £50,000
• The claims ceased in August 2007 but the case has just come to court
• The punishment is far too light. No immediate imprisonment for a fraud of this size - and not even community work. Rejoice, benefit cheats! Tameside is a good place to fiddle your benefits.
• The council and the DWP have still to take steps to recover any money.
  

A woman who failed to declare that she and her husband were living together claimed almost £50,000 in benefits in almost eight years.

Sushilaben Patel, aged 60, of Beech Mount, Ashton-under-Lyne, dishonestly failed to promptly notify Tameside Council of a change in her circumstances, namely that she was living together with her husband Liaqat Ali, who was employed as a taxi driver.

As a result Patel received £23,359.60 in Income Support, £20,909.33 in Housing Benefit and £5,666.02 in Council Tax Benefit - a total of £49,934.95 - between 5 October 1999 and 30 August 2007.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Patel admitted all charges and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, with a 12-month supervision order.

Tameside Council and the Department for Work and Pensions will take steps to recover all of the overpaid monies.

Tameside Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Joe Kitchen, said: "It is important that anyone receiving Housing or Council Tax benefit inform the council immediately if there is any change to their living circumstances, to prevent the risk of an overpayment.

"The council has a zero tolerance to benefit cheats and we will always take recovery action to get the money back. We will of course continue to work hard to ensure those who deserve benefits get them."