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13/05/2003
£3m recouped from benefit cheats
The Social Security Agency has prosecuted 340 people involved in benefit fraud in the last year resulting in £3 million savings of taxpayers’ money, it was announced today.
As part of its ongoing campaign to reduce the levels of fraud, the Agency also investigated more than 4,500 cases.
The Agency claims its rigorous investigation of suspected cases of fraud, coupled with prosecution of people guilty of benefit theft has saved taxpayers millions of pounds.
Prosecutions included a Bangor woman who was convicted of fraudulently receiving £23,000 in Income Support over a period of seven years. The woman who did not tell the Agency that she was living with her partner, and knowingly cashed cheques to which she was not entitled, was fined £250 and is required to pay back the money.
Elsewhere, an Antrim woman was also prosecuted for fraudulently claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit amounting to nearly £4,000. She received a probation sentence of six months, incurred the court costs and is required to repay the funds to the Social Security Agency.
Commenting on the figures, Chris Thompson, Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency, said that the prosecutions and investigations would continue as part of the Agency’s commitment to safeguard public funds.
He said: “While we are committed to providing financial help and security to those who deserve and are entitled to help, we will not tolerate abuse of a welfare system that is designed to protect the most vulnerable in society. Those who steal money from the system must realize that we are determined to flush them out and take them to court where necessary.”
(MB)
As part of its ongoing campaign to reduce the levels of fraud, the Agency also investigated more than 4,500 cases.
The Agency claims its rigorous investigation of suspected cases of fraud, coupled with prosecution of people guilty of benefit theft has saved taxpayers millions of pounds.
Prosecutions included a Bangor woman who was convicted of fraudulently receiving £23,000 in Income Support over a period of seven years. The woman who did not tell the Agency that she was living with her partner, and knowingly cashed cheques to which she was not entitled, was fined £250 and is required to pay back the money.
Elsewhere, an Antrim woman was also prosecuted for fraudulently claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit amounting to nearly £4,000. She received a probation sentence of six months, incurred the court costs and is required to repay the funds to the Social Security Agency.
Commenting on the figures, Chris Thompson, Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency, said that the prosecutions and investigations would continue as part of the Agency’s commitment to safeguard public funds.
He said: “While we are committed to providing financial help and security to those who deserve and are entitled to help, we will not tolerate abuse of a welfare system that is designed to protect the most vulnerable in society. Those who steal money from the system must realize that we are determined to flush them out and take them to court where necessary.”
(MB)
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17 June 2004
Social Security Agency reduces fraud losses by £6.25m
The Social Security Agency has saved more than £6.25 million of taxpayers’ money after investigating more than 4,000 cases of benefit fraud, it was revealed today. During the period from April 2003 to March 2004, the Agency investigated more than 7,700 benefit cases, resulting in changes to the benefits paid in almost 4,000 instances.
Social Security Agency reduces fraud losses by £6.25m
The Social Security Agency has saved more than £6.25 million of taxpayers’ money after investigating more than 4,000 cases of benefit fraud, it was revealed today. During the period from April 2003 to March 2004, the Agency investigated more than 7,700 benefit cases, resulting in changes to the benefits paid in almost 4,000 instances.
16 October 2008
Thousands Aided By Benefit Take-Up Campaign
Thousands of people in NI are now likely to be better off after being offered a full benefit assessment to identify additional benefits they should be claiming.
Thousands Aided By Benefit Take-Up Campaign
Thousands of people in NI are now likely to be better off after being offered a full benefit assessment to identify additional benefits they should be claiming.
07 June 2012
£22,096 Benefit Fraudsters Convicted
Three benefit fraudsters have been convicted of claiming a total of £22,096 they were not entitled to. All three will have to repay the sums to the Social Security Agency. The biggest sum claimed was by a County Down man.
£22,096 Benefit Fraudsters Convicted
Three benefit fraudsters have been convicted of claiming a total of £22,096 they were not entitled to. All three will have to repay the sums to the Social Security Agency. The biggest sum claimed was by a County Down man.
27 October 2006
Woman gets conditional discharge for benefit fraud
A woman has been convicted at Belfast Magistrate’s Court today for living with her partner while claiming benefit as a single person. Elizabeth McClean, 36, of Connsbrook Drive, Belfast, was given a two-year conditional discharge for claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit to the value of £3,790.
Woman gets conditional discharge for benefit fraud
A woman has been convicted at Belfast Magistrate’s Court today for living with her partner while claiming benefit as a single person. Elizabeth McClean, 36, of Connsbrook Drive, Belfast, was given a two-year conditional discharge for claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit to the value of £3,790.
12 April 2002
Four charged following major benefit fraud probe
Police have charged four people as part of a major investigation into social security fraud. The alleged benefit fraud is estimated to have cost the Social Security Agency about £300,000 in lost revenues.
Four charged following major benefit fraud probe
Police have charged four people as part of a major investigation into social security fraud. The alleged benefit fraud is estimated to have cost the Social Security Agency about £300,000 in lost revenues.
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