Sanctions and Prosecutions
West Lindsey District Council actively pursues those committing Benefit Fraud offences issuing Cautions, Administrative Penalties and in the most serious cases taking Criminal proceedings through the Courts.
A caution is a verbal reprimand often issued when the amount involved is low, the period of the offence short and where the person has co-operated with the investigation and has admitted the offence.
An Administrative Penalty is issued where the matter is more serious, over a longer period of time and the claimant has not co-operated with the investigations. In such a case the penalty involved is 30% of the overpayment, this must be repaid in addition to any overpaid monies. Should the person decline the offer of a penalty they would be prosecuted.
In the most serious cases the Council takes prosecution action, which during 2010/2011 has resulted in 20 guilty verdicts with the defendants receiving a sentence from the Courts, a Criminal Record and still being liable to repay the stolen monies.
Benefit Fraud Sanctions 2010/2011
Sanctions and Prosecutions 01/04/2010 to 31/03/2011:
Cautions: 78
Administrative Penalties: 1
Prosecutions: 20
Total: 99
