'Frugal' claimant ends up in court
A woman with mental health problems who saved one form of benefit while living off another was prosecuted for "being frugal", a court heard.
Jacqueline Chambers, aged 48, walked free from Northampton Crown Court without any punishment after being prosecuted for benefit fraud.
Hena Vissian, prosecuting, said she began claiming housing and council tax benefit in 2000, but failed to declare 34,000 of savings.
But over the next seven years, she was overpaid 19,200 due to living off her disability allowance while saving incapacity benefit.
Chambers, of Vernon Walk, Northampton, who suffers with schizophrenia, repaid the money in October 2008, months before she was charged.
Judge Ian Alexander QC questioned why a woman entitled to benefits was prosecuted for being frugal, sentencing her to an absolute discharge.
He said: "This is a lady with extreme mental health difficulties, not of her making at all. She is one of those people who was once looked upon with some admiration because she is a thrifty saver. She was entitled to receive disability and other benefits.
"She lived a frugal life and saved away her disability benefit instead of spending it on herself, but it's apparent that if instead of spending it and you save, you fall into the category of accumulating capital. If it was dishonesty, it was dishonesty at the very lowest level.
"I rather suspect it was misunderstanding rather than dishonesty and long before she was charged, she paid all the money back.
"The result means she has not had any benefits since, although entitled, and she's so scared of the bureaucratic system that she is not going to register for it any more. I have some sympathy with that.
"Why on earth is this department wasting time and money prosecuting this case? It's hardly in the public interest."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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