Guildford Borough Council's policy in providing the Housing Benefit service to residents is to:

"Speedily, accurately and courteously pay Housing and Council Tax Benefit to assist those with a basic requirement of shelter, who do not have the means to pay for all of it for themselves"

It is also the Council's policy to deter and prevent Housing Benefit fraud and prosecute those who abuse the system. The service objectives statement was amended in September 2003 to reflect this -

"The provision of a Benefit service that ensures the right benefit gets to the right person at the right time. The integrity of the system will be maintained by investigating and punishing those who perpetrate fraud and ensuring that any overpaid benefit is promptly recovered."  See full ojectives statement

In carrying out this policy the Council has:

Successfully prosecuted  39  Housing Benefit Fraud Offenders

If you suspect someone is perpetrating Housing Benefit fraud:

Call the Anti Fraud hotline in confidence on:

The Council 24 hour telephone line: (01483) 444889

The National Benefit Fraud hotline (8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday)

0800 328 6340 (freephone)

0800 328 6341 (textphone for hard of hearing)

PO Box No. 647

Preston PR1 1WA