MALDON District Council prosecuted eight people in the past year after they were overpaid £41,258.47 in housing benefit and £7,075.80 in council tax relief.
Officers have also investigated 204 cases of benefit fraud in the past year, and the council has also issued 43 penalties and nine cautions.
Benefit claimants who are given a penalty must pay back 30 per cent of all overpayments.
A council spokesman said: “Prosecution is not the only sanction available to local authorities as a means of punishment. Many of our cases are dealt with using penalties and cautions as it spares court time.”
Following any sanction, the “one strike” action could be applied by the district council, which would see claimants lose up to four weeks worth of benefits if it is deemed necessary.
FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S MALDON AND BURNHAM STANDARD
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