Västerås Takes the Lead in Combatting Benefit Fraud in Sweden
Västerås becomes the leading city in Sweden for reporting and combating benefit fraud.
Key Points
- • Västerås reported 1,100 benefit fraud cases in seven years.
- • The city has a targeted initiative focused on fraud since 2018.
- • Two social workers will be dedicated to benefit fraud cases in 2025.
- • Västerås has reclaimed 850,000 SEK in erroneous payments this year.
Västerås has established itself as the foremost city in Sweden for reporting benefit fraud, having registered a remarkable 1,100 cases over the past seven years. This effort reflects a commitment to tackling fraudulent claims, with the city reporting an impressive rate of seven cases per 1,000 residents, far surpassing larger urban centers like Stockholm, Malmö, and Gothenburg.
The city's targeted campaign against benefit fraud commenced in 2018, driven by growing recognition of the economic and reputational risks posed by erroneous payments to the welfare system. Marie Wall, a social worker in Västerås, highlighted the critical nature of public trust in the management of municipal funds, expressing that citizens should be able to rely on the integrity of fund management.
As part of enhanced measures, starting January 2025, the city will assign two dedicated social workers specifically to handle fraud cases. Notably, in the current year, Västerås has already recovered 850,000 SEK from incorrectly disbursed benefits. Additionally, the municipality is collaborating with other communities in the Mälardalen region to strengthen regional strategies against benefit fraud, further emphasizing a collective approach to this pervasive issue.