Verifying Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

This report presents findings of qualitative research into the procedures used to verify Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claims in a representative sample of 30 local authorities. It includes information on local authorities' approach to fraud prevention, application forms, internal auditing and the resource implications of setting up and operating the Department's forthcoming Verification Framework for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claims. The research was based on interviews with Housing Benefit Managers, front-line staff, internal auditors and fraud officers in each local authority.