Council services
Benefit fraud
Anybody claiming Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit has to tell us about their personal and financial circumstances. This is so we can work out the correct amount of benefit that is due.
Benefit fraud is a criminal offence
Anyone who knowingly fails to declare their true circumstances when receiving benefit is committing fraud.
Common types of fraud include failing to tell us about:
Common types of fraud include failing to tell us about:
- Bank or Building Society accounts
- Working part time or full time
- Other people living with you
- Other income including private pensions
- Other benefits, such as tax credits
- Moving home
- Marriage
- A partner moving in with you - even if it is only temporary
- Renting a room to a lodger or tenant
- Properties you own or have an interest in
Benefit fraud steals from our community
Benefit fraud costs Wokingham money that could be used to fund other vital services and so is not a victimless crime. We pay approximately £12.3 million in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit every year.
Nationally, it is estimated that about 10% of benefit paid has been claimed fraudulently. You can help us reduce this by reporting a fraud.
Contact us
If you are in any doubt about what you should be telling us, please contact our Benefits Section:
| Information | Contact |
| Telephone: | 0118 974 6636 or 0118 974 6711 |
| Email: | benefits@wokingham.gov.uk |
| Address: | Benefits Section Wokingham Borough Council PO Box 152 Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WJ |
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