A FARNHAM woman who was found to be fraudulently claiming benefits to the tune of nearly £30,000 was given a two-year conditional discharge after appearing before Aldershot Magistrate's last week. Denise Lynch of Weydon Hill Road, was receiving housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support but a joint investigation between Waverley and the Department for Work and Pensions discovered that she had undeclared bank accounts and capital amounting to £40,000. The total overpayment for income support was £13,087. She was also overpaid £13,807 for housing benefit and £2,001 for council tax benefit. After investigations uncovered her undeclared funds, Miss Lynch has paid back her falsely obtained benefits. In addition to the conditional dischargeMiss Lynch was ordered to pay £150 costs to the Department for Work and Pensions. Mike Band, Waverley's portfolio holder for finance, said: "On this occasion Waverley worked successfully in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions. Waverley will always pursue benefit fraud cases, but we would much prefer that anybody with financial difficulties, who is in receipt of benefit, to come and discuss their problems with us so that we can help them to find a solution." Residents can report any suspicious housing benefit or council tax benefit claims anonymously, in complete confidence on 0800 3289340 or 01483 523376.
