HOUSING benefit fraud is set to become a thing of the past in Preston.

A new way of processing housing benefit claims is soon to be introduced by Preston Borough Council as it tries to fall in the line with the government requirements.

In the future, claimants will be required to provide more detailed evidence to back up their claim for benefit.

Applicants will need to show proof of identity, residency, household income, capital and rent levels.

A series of postal checks and home visits will also be undertaken to verify the evidence provided to make sure everything is above board.

Further checks will be carried out to make sure no one's circumstances have changed but haven't been reported.

Landlords and tenants across the borough are currently being informed about the new plans, and are being sent leaflets explaining how the new system will work.

It is hoped the new system will banish benefit fraud from the town.

The system could also benefit those people who could be entitled to more than they are already getting.

Councillor Ian Hall, chairman of Preston's finance and property sub-committee, said: "These measures will ensure that people in need receive their full entitlement to benefit.

"It will also make the administration of benefit more secure and fair.

"We will seek to target people who may not be receiving their full entitlement during the implementation of these proposals."

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