Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Trowbridge woman to pay back fraudulent council tax claim.

A Trowbridge woman who continued to claim almost £6,500 in council tax benefit for four and a half years despite being employed will have to pay all the money back and the court costs.

Espa Novachic, 61 of Windsor Drive, Trowbridge pleaded guilty to four charges in Chippenham Magistrates Court on Monday, March 12, of receiving council tax benefit that she was not entitled to from Wiltshire Council.

The court imposed a community order of 43 hours unpaid work and £100 towards costs. She will also have to pay back nearly £6,500 to Wiltshire Council for her unpaid council tax.

A referral received in October 2010 indicated that Mrs Novachic was employed and had been working for some time at a wedding shop in Bath. No work had been declared by her on the forms she had submitted to claim benefit and she had not notified the council of any changes.

In a formal interview Mrs Novachic demonstrated that she was fully aware of what she was claiming. It was shown that she had been working since February 2006 and had her wages paid into an undeclared bank account. During that time she had failed to declare the change and had dishonestly made three false statements in which she had omitted to declare the work.

She was overpaid £6499.82 of council tax benefit between 13/02/06 and 18/10/10.

It is always the responsibility of the person claiming benefit to tell the council of any changes in circumstances which may affect their entitlement. If there is any doubt, then the Revenues and Benefits Team will be happy to discuss any issues. Please contact 0300 456 0110 to report any changes in circumstances or ask for advice.