Jacqueline Johnson from Mossley falsely claimed more than £31,000 in income support, £19,000 in housing benefit and £2,000 in council tax benefit over four years.
She claimed to be a single mother with no extra income, but for most of the time she was living with her husband who was in full-time employment. She also worked as a sales assistant, shop assistant and then a care worker.
She gave false National Insurance details to one of her employers to avoid detection and was only caught when a tip-off was made to the DWP hotline.
If Johnson had admitted her true circumstances, she would have been legitimately entitled to around £15,000 in family tax credit payments.
Caroline Patrick, defending, said Johnson had been struggling to pay off debts built up by her son. She also had to cope with her husband’s drinking problems. She said Johnson, who has now split up from her husband, had also lost both her parents within a year. She suffered anxiety and stress and was ashamed to appear in the dock.
Recorder Mr Richard Pratt said discounting the £15,000 she would properly have been entitled to, and £1,000 she had repaid, the amount still owing was about £37,000.
He said he was considering imposing a custodial sentence but because of her circumstances, he would suspend the 18-week term for two years. She was also ordered to carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work.
- These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
People convicted of benefit fraud should have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
If you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.
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