Benefit fraud in Hurstpierpoint: prison for couple who stole £226k of benefits while pretending to be siblings

The DWP said David Aston and Eugina Wallis received a combined jail sentence of more than two years after knowingly committing benefit fraud over an eight-year period.

During this time they wrongly claimed a raft of different welfare benefits, the DWP said.

A DWP spokesperson said: “Not only did they fail to declare their circumstances – specifically that they were living at the same address together having got married abroad – but they also wrote numerous letters to Arun District Council, Mid Sussex District Council and DWP providing false names stating they were brother and sister.”

“The couple claimed Employment Support Allowance and Housing Benefit during this period before an investigation – following a letter sent to the local council by a member of the public – led to their arrest,” the spokesperson said.

Aston and Wallis pled guilty in December, said the DWP, and were sentenced on Friday (February 4), receiving custodial sentences of 22 months and 36 weeks respectively.

Minister for Welfare Delivery David Rutley said: “It’s despicable that this couple lied so brazenly about being brother and sister to attempt to steal money from those who need it, and it’s right that they have been put behind bars.”

“Our fraud investigators are committed to bringing benefit cheats like these to justice,” he said.

“Don’t think you can get away with lying to us, because we will find you.”

The DWP said that people lying about living alone is one of the most common types of benefit fraud committed in the UK.

Failing to declare who lives in your household when making a claim for benefits or failing to report changes in circumstances that could affect your entitlement can be a criminal offence.

Convicted benefit cheats have to pay back any stolen funds and face a criminal record or even time in prison.

The DWP uses many methods to catch fraudsters including public tip offs, a network of professionals monitoring cases, and advanced data matching techniques.

A DWP spokesperson said: “You need to report changes to your circumstances so you keep getting the right amount of benefits.

“Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change straight away or if you give incorrect information.”

Alongside moving in with a partner, other changes that people must report include: moving house, getting married or divorced, starting or ending a civil partnership, finding or finishing a job, starting or stopping caring for someone, going into hospital, the death of your partner or someone you live with, and changes to the benefits you or anyone in your house gets.

The DWP uncovers thousands of benefit fraud cases every year and in 2020 prevented at least £1.9 billion in benefits from being paid to fraudsters.

Anyone who is unsure about something relating to a benefits claim can call a free DWP benefit hotline on 0800 7310469.

Alternatively, people can visit gov.uk/report-benefits-change-circumstances to find out more about reporting changes in circumstances.