Benefit Fraud (falsely claiming benefit)
All types of benefit fraud are taken seriously, more so when the public purse is stretched, which it will be post COVID-19. There are 2 main types. Dishonestly claiming benefit and claiming benefit that you are not entitled too. The first type means you deliberately did what you did, the second type, which catches a lot of people out, does not need you to commit the offence dishonestly. It can mean you did not update the DWP about your income when it changed, misunderstood the rules, or simply misread a form. For these offences, it is important to get advice straight away and help with the Interview under Caution. (See Interview under Caution section)
As well as being prosecuted for an offence of this nature you may also be ordered to pay back any overpayment amount. If the fraud was deliberate and involved a large amount of money you could receive a prison sentence. Even if your fraud was not deliberately dishonest but did involve you receiving money that you were not entitled to, it could result in a conviction for benefit fraud which could affect future work prospects.