Supplementary Benefits Act 1976

Offences

21False statements

If any person—

(a)for the purpose of obtaining supplementary benefit or any other payment under this Act for himself or for another person; or

(b)for the purpose of avoiding or reducing any liability under this Act;

makes any statement or representation which he knows to be false, he shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to a fine not exceeding £100, or to both.

22Impersonation of officers

If any person, with intent to deceive, falsely represents himself to be a person authorised by the Secretary of State for Social Services or the Commission to act in any capacity (whether under this Act or otherwise) he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100.

23Illegal possession of documents

(1)If any person—

(a)as a pledge or a security for a debt; or

(b)with a view to obtaining payment from the person entitled to it of a debt due either to himself or to any other person;

receives, detains or has in his possession any document issued by or on behalf of the Secretary of State for Social Services in connection with any benefit, pension or allowance (whether payable under this Act or otherwise), he shall be guilty of an offence.

(2)If any person has such a document in his possession without lawful authority or excuse (the proof whereof shall lie on him), he shall be guilty of an offence.

(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to a fine not exceeding £100, or to both.

24Failure to notify cessation of employment or re-employment etc.

(1)If any person fails to comply with a provision to which this section applies requiring him to give notice of any matter to the Secretary of State, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £20.

(2)This section applies to—

(a)any provision of regulations made, or having effect as if made, under section 14 of this Act in pursuance of paragraph 2 of Part III of Schedule 2 to this Act (notice to be given where, after service of a deduction notice under that Schedule in relation to any person, his employment ceases or he is re-employed); and

(b)the provisions of paragraph 4(5) of Part II of Schedule 2 to this Act (notice to be given where no deduction is made from an employee's earnings).

25Failure to maintain

(1)If any person persistently refuses or neglects to maintain himself or any person whom for the purposes of this Act he is liable to maintain, and in consequence of his refusal or neglect—

(a)supplementary benefit is awarded to meet requirements which are, or include, his or those of such a person ; or

(b)free board and lodging are provided for him or such a person in a reception centre provided under section 30 of this Act;

he shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to a fine not exceeding £100, or to both.

(2)For the purposes of this section, a person shall not be taken to refuse or neglect to maintain himself or any other person by reason only of anything done or omitted in furtherance of a trade dispute.