Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16185081
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...nt-jailed.html

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

Indeed for all these **** they dont get done that badly in courts. Its disgraceful due to these genuine suffer as the governments go completely crazy over the top to try make sure it never happens but causes loads collateral damage which they have no remorse for.

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

I happens because it is so EASY. So many government departments simply don't communicate efficiently enough with each other. When they do finally liaise it's usually several months or even years down the line once you take the investigation and evidence-gathering in to account.

The people in genuine need of benefit usually do things the right way and have no idea how easy it is to rip the Benefits Agencies off.

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

Indeed my mum got a letter it clearly says it upto her to inform the council make sure council tax/ rent rebate upto date with changes.

There lies big issue it should be departments onus to stop fraudelance by collating information and contacts of those claiments ie the local council etc. Changes then should be sent to claiment and then to housing associations/councils. It makes no sense why you would leave windows oportunities. When that person elderly forgetful or very ill they then get procecuted for wrongful claiming just simply for not informing changes circumstances.

If the system in place fraud would be down massively. Hell thats too simplistic policy making for those in charge over the years then when the do information collating like we found they make sows ear of it by taking cheap tenders who will cut corners instead building proper system which will work.

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

They get away with it because the cheats are the only ones who know the system well enough.Given the complexity of the benefits sytsem it's not surprising that there is this level of fraud commited with such ease .Problem is though when we finally get a government willing to address the problem by simplifying it to make it harder to defraud and discourage people from being so dependant on it ,people are up in arms as evidenced by certain posters on this forum

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

I dont think anybody against simplification and addressing issues dont understand why you think this. I assume I am one you further from the truth with me martyh. I think the bill needs rework in some areas on disabled. I not sure why room issue is been done. It should be flexible is there availabilty downsize, Size of the rooms box rooms are box rooms not bedrooms. 1 spare room should be allowed.

What I want is for the system to be modified so mistakes are minimised/elliminated from assesments. There should be safety net against collateral damage. Seems down to numbers appeals it will be dismatled its plainly wrong. ATOS should done there job more efficiently. That though could mean the assenment itself is weak open to loose interpretation russian roulette for those being assessed.

I agree there people out there who KNOW it inside out more knowledgable than the people who work there. I even will say this we wont get zero fraud its human nature what can be made some one can circumvent. Some are clever as lawyers maybe should take it up lol. It sounds this fraud was down to many factors.

Certainly not against stoping the frauds but questionable how many who lost disibilty are frauds there been some real horrors of errors. Its been going on for years I know someone under labour got removed but put back on it due to ATOS error. To prove they was disabled has since passed every assesment now thankfully on esa support. The place where he signed on only let him sign on once even accepted him doing cross while very ill else he would lost his benefit. Management agreed put him back on the IB as they clearly saw it was huge error. Would love to see this more often then again not suprising as they had to call ambulance he spent over week in hospital. The staff was fantastic to help him give him first aid which his family was grateful.

So yes I understand its hard to judge thats why better system should be in place.

I would go as far this we should have 2 support groups those who by what is medically wrong clearly wont recover wont need to be re-assessed by ATOS ever very servere disabled etc. Although nice visit ocasionally by Works and pension to make sure they alright getting all the help support they need.

The other is what they term might be able one day go into working group as illness might or might not be lifetime depending on advances in medical breakthroughs or simply even they get better. Visa versa if someone deterorates they can be removed from flagged assesment if its deemed lifetime illness. The system needs flexibilty those they deem disabled. The grey one is terminal I seen quite enough times doctors timeframes NOT absolute and guides. Feel its not right for those who will die to be shoved in wrag they clearly should be in support. Even if at times there quite healthy there many times it will be painful and treatment dibilitating. They got enough problems last thing they need is government kicking. I cant see this being a fraud situation just crazy decision. I dont care if its 2 years they should be allowed quality time with there loved ones.

The other is shared information talking to departments other organisations surely this would help eliminate those who try defraud.

Now if its more sensible without the mandate for saving money who could not disagree. Better system will hopefully stop these cases there should be system in place which flags early warnings of possible fraud.

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

I'd just be happier if the people doing all the assessments were capable. ATOS clearly are not.

I DO think it needs to be done however - just not with the wrong people.

Still it won't make any difference people will always get away with it. If I was a cheater (and a fair few people on here think I am) I /could/ have got a lot more money out of the system but I wouldn't do that.

I do like it when people get caught and it needs to happen more often.

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

It's nothing to do with people knowing how to 'work the system' - it's a mixture of human greed and an inefficient benefits system.

However at the end of the day it is all down to that one word - greed. We are all responsible for our own actions regardless of the holes in the system. I can't stand it when benefit cheats go looking for sympathy or blame circumstances. It's greed and nothing else.

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

can't argue with that Russ :clap:

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

Agreed. I'd like to see someone try though :p:

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

The DWP use a system called "Data Matching". Overnight, various departments and organisations compare the data on individuals.

For example, a person who declares no savings who has an ISA, or a person who informs TV Licencing of a change of address, but not the DWP.

Benefit fraud is now being taken more seriously than ever before.

Measures are to be introduced to effectively fine claimants £50 for each change of circumstance that they fail to declare, where prosecution is not appropriate.

In cases where prosecution is appropriate, they may be offered the option to pay back the overpayment plus 50%.

Persistent offenders face being barred from accessing the benefits system.

The most common excuses for failing to declare a change of circumstances are "I didn't know I had to tell you", or "I forgot". It's strange how they forget to tell the DWP that they have started work or won the lottery, but never seem to forget to tell them that their rent has gone up for a reassessment of Housing Benefit, or that they've pushed out another child...

---------- Post added at 14:49 ---------- Previous post was at 14:44 ----------

I have no idea whether you are a benefits cheat or not and I don't see how anyone can make that assumption from a forum!

<Removed>

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

Plenty of people CAN make those kind of assumptions but perhaps they shouldn't as they don't know my situation.

Trouble is people look at me and make assumptions.


Anyway I'm not sure what was removed from your poist but I thought I'd respond to your point.

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

there is collation.

eg. if JSA is stopped then they automatically contact the council and housing benefit is automatically suspended. So as to how these got away with it I am curious.

Of course I am also curious how the papers got the story and how they decide to print the story as I have submitted dozens of stories about harsh treatments on benefits and I rarely even get a reply.

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

Actually they don't. It is down to the claimant to tell the council. They do an audit every now and then and this is when they catch a few people but that is very irregular.

Re: Benefits cheat jailed for 32 months
 

I've known people who go on a government course thing the one day and have gotten a letter saying their housing benefit has stopped the next day. so they have to reclaim.

that's the courses where they are no longer counted on the unemployment register, but are actually still unemployed.