A 53-year-old Norfolk woman has pleaded guilty to council tax benefit fraud after illegally claiming nearly £10,000 in support payments over more than four years.
Benida Reyes, from Thetford, admitted failing to inform Breckland Council about changes in her financial circumstances while continuing to claim council tax support.
The court heard Reyes had initially claimed Council Tax Support in 2013, when the means-tested scheme was introduced to help those living on less than £200 per week.
However, she purchased a second property in April 2021 and began receiving rental income, while continuing to claim the low-income reduction.
The court heard Reyes had initially claimed Council Tax Support in 2013, when the means-tested scheme was introduced to help those living on less than £200 each week
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The council discovered she was actually earning more than £4,000 monthly.
Breckland Council launched their investigation after the National Fraud Initiative alerted them that Reyes’ true income exceeded £1,000 per week.
The subsequent investigation revealed she had fraudulently claimed £9,473 in total benefits she was not entitled to.
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When questioned about continuing to claim the low-income reduction, Reyes told investigators “she did not think about it”.
Lauren Bond, prosecuting on behalf of the council, told the court: “This was not a claim that was fraudulent from the outset; however it is aggravated by the length of time that it has continued, more than four years.”
Representing herself at Norwich Magistrates Court, Reyes attempted to defend her actions by producing a council tax bill she claimed proved she had informed the council.
The magistrates imposed a £1,666 fine on Reyes and ordered her to pay £3,952 in costs to cover the council’s investigation expenses (Stock)
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However, magistrates dismissed her defence, saying that the bill sent to her second property did not demonstrate that officials were fully aware of her changed financial circumstances.
The magistrates imposed a £1,666 fine on Reyes and ordered her to pay £3,952 in costs to cover the council’s investigation expenses.
An agreement was also put in place requiring her to repay the full amount of £9,473 in fraudulently claimed benefits.
