Westbury woman in court after failing to declare £55k inheritance (From Wiltshire Times)

Westbury woman in court after failing to declare £55k inheritance

1:07pm Friday 3rd August 2012 in Westbury

A Westbury woman who failed to declare her £55,000 inheritance while claiming benefits was sentenced to a six month community order last week.

Teresa Hale, 51, pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify the authorities of her change in circumstances at North West Wiltshire Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

At the same time she received her legacy, Hale, of Hampshire Gardens, received more than £10,500 in income support and council tax benefit intended to help people of limited means.

As well as repaying the total sum of the funds she received, she was sentenced to a 75 hour community order for six months, which could be carried out over 12 months, and £300 costs.

The fraud was turned up by a joint investigation between Wiltshire Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

A council spokesman said: “The council is very keen to stamp out benefit fraud and will take action against those found to be cheating the system.

“It is always the responsibility of the person claiming benefit to tell the council of any changes in circumstances which may affect their entitlement.”

Contact the council’s confidential hotline on 01249 706256 with information on benefit fraud.