Benefit fraud prosecution

Published on 10 February 2012

At a hearing on 3 February 2012 at Harlow Magistrates’ Court, Epping Forest District Council prosecuted Ryan McKee, formerly of Regency Road in Chigwell, for failing to notify the Council of a change in circumstances whilst claiming Housing Benefit. Mr McKee pleaded guilty at the hearing and the Magistrates fined him £333. They also ordered that he pay £400 towards the Council’s costs. The overpayment of £622.89 Benefit was repaid on 2 February 2012.

Mr Ryan McKee originally began claiming Housing Benefit from Epping Forest District Council in respect of the property he occupied in November 2008. He completed a renewal form in November 2009 confirming a change of address to Regency Close, Chigwell, where he continued to receive benefit by way of cheque payments.

The Council was contacted by Mr McKee in June 2010, claiming that he had not received his latest benefit cheque and requested that future payments be paid into his bank account. The Council carried out a check with the landlord, which revealed that Mr McKee had vacated Regency Close in March 2010 but had been returning to collect post for several weeks afterwards. Mr McKee had not notified the Council of this change in circumstances resulting in an overpayment of benefit from March 2010 to May 2010 amounting to £622.89. In addition, the form he completed requesting future payments be made into his bank account proved to be a false document.