Report benefit abuse

What is it?

Residents of Tytsjerksteradiel who receive benefits must adhere to a number of rules. If they do not comply with these rules, they are 'committing benefit fraud'. If you suspect that someone in your area is wrongly receiving benefits, you can report this to us (anonymously). We will then start an investigation to find out whether there is indeed fraud.

Report benefit abuse

How does it work?

Do you suspect someone living in the municipality of Tytsjerksteradiel is committing benefit fraud? Report it (anonymously if you wish) to the municipality. You can:

  • completing the report benefit abuse form online;
  • call telephone number 14 0511 (without area code);
  • send a letter to:
    • Municipality of Tytsjerksteradiel, Work and Income, Income and Enforcement Team
      P.O. Box 3
      9250 AA Burgum

What do I need to report?

When you report benefit fraud, we will ask you for information about the suspected fraud. For example:

  • addresses;
  • working hours;
  • information about a car;
  • income;
  • who the suspect lives with.

What happens after I submit a report?

If you have not made the report anonymously, you will receive confirmation that the municipality has taken your report into consideration. You will not be informed about the result of your report.

What is benefit fraud?

Examples of benefit fraud are:

  • not reporting a change in your income or assets, for example, you are working under the table or you have an expensive car;
  • not reporting that you are in prison;
  • not reporting changes in your family composition, or that you are married or divorced, or pretending to be divorced (sham abandonment);
  • providing a false address.

Why is it necessary to combat benefit fraud?

The municipality must ensure that the money intended for social assistance benefits reaches the right people. This means that we do everything we can to prevent benefits from being paid to people who are not entitled to them. But sometimes it still happens. Then abuse occurs, and we have to do something about it.

An investigation begins with a signal that something is not right. That signal can come from our own employees, but we also regularly receive tips and information from citizens about people receiving benefits from the municipality. This information is very important to the municipality, because we cannot see everything. Examples of tips include undeclared work, trading, living at a different address or secretly cohabiting.

How does a benefit fraud investigation work?

A benefit abuse investigation works like this:

  • The municipality collects information and invites the person receiving assistance for an interview.
  • The municipality will visit you at home.
  • The social investigation department conducts an inquiry if the municipality suspects that you have been committing fraud for an extended period and have received more than a certain amount.

What are the consequences for those who commit benefit fraud?

If the municipality determines that there is benefit fraud, this always has consequences for the person committing benefit fraud. The municipality can:

  • reduce the benefit (impose a sanction);
  • recovering (part of) the benefit;
  • withdraw the benefit;
  • report to the Public Prosecution Service if it concerns fraud involving a certain amount. The public prosecutor will handle the case according to criminal law and may impose community service, a fine, or a prison sentence. The municipality will recover the (family) benefit.