Guidance

Loss of benefit as a penalty for benefit fraud

Changes to the way benefits can be reduced or stopped as a penalty for a benefit fraud offence following the Welfare Reform Act 2012.

• From: Department for Work and Pensions
• Published: 27 March 2013

Documents

Loss of benefit as a penalty for benefit fraud

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The Welfare Reform Act 2012 introduced tougher penalties for people who commit benefit fraud.

Benefits can be reduced or stopped if a claimant, their partner or a family member is convicted of a benefit fraud offence or accepts an administrative penalty for such an offence. An administrative penalty is a financial penalty offered by DWP as an alternative to prosecution.

Published 27 March 2013