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Pensioner commits benefit fraud

Date: 25 January 2012

A pensioner from South Oxhey has been found guilty of committing benefit fraud following an investigation by Three Rivers District Council.

On 23 January 2012 Mrs Doreen Palmer from Muirfield Road, South Oxhey, appeared before Watford Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to four benefit fraud charges.

Mrs Palmer aged 77, had claimed Housing Benefit from Three Rivers District Council from 2003 until 2011 and failed to disclose that she had bank account savings in excess of £16,000.

A data match exercise indicated Mrs Palmer had not declared all of her savings accounts and under special powers available to fraud investigators, her bank statements were obtained and confirmed that Mrs Palmer had savings in excess of £16,000. Mrs Doreen Palmer was interviewed under caution, with her daughter present, on 29.09.2011.

Mrs Palmer admitted that she knew that if she had declared her savings then she would have to pay full rent and council tax. She apologised for failing to declare the bank accounts as she had opportunities to do so in the past when visited by Council Officers. Mrs Palmer’s benefits were recalculated and she is no longer entitled to Housing & Council Tax benefit, creating a £38,000 overpayment from 2003 to 2011.

Mrs Palmer was given credit for her early plea and due to her age was given 12 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 in costs. She has since repaid, in full, the overpaid benefit.

If you believe someone you know is committing benefit fraud, call the confidential fraud hotline on 0800 458 9200 email fraud@threerivers.gov.uk or download a benefit fraud referral form.

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