There has been various types of support for those without income in the UK since medieval times but 'modern' social security began in the mid 20th century.

[4] Although the base legislation is contained within the acts, most of the actual rules and regulations come within a plethora of Statutory Instruments.

Where cases of benefit fraud result in criminal prosecution of an individual, in England & Wales such prosecutions are generally brought either under section 112 Social Security Administration Act 1992 (where no dishonesty is alleged) or under s111A of the same Act (where dishonesty is alleged).

Key points are dealt with in more detail in technical articles on benefit fraud.

[5] The penalties for benefit fraud may be mitigated where it can be shown that the defendant would have been entitled to other forms of financial benefit, such as UK Tax Credits, had an appropriate claim on the true facts been lodged at the time.