Government Clamps Down On Manx Benefit Fraud

Tougher sanctions have been introduced to combat benefit fraud and violent behaviour from claimants to the Social Care Department staff.

As it stands people who commit benefit fraud twice within a five-year period can be disqualified from receiving certain benefits for 13 weeks.

There is also the possibility of additional criminal charges.

The new rules mean anyone found guilty of benefit fraud just once will lose their allowance for a month, , furthermore anyone convicted of violent or threatening behaviour towards Department staff will lose benefits for a week, with the potential for that to be extended to five weeks.

Social Care Minister Martyn Quayle has said she hopes these new tough measures will act as a real deterrent.

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