Stephen Parkin, from Bamber Bridge, pleaded guilty to 14 offences of making false representations with a view to obtaining Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit between 2001 and 2008.
Mr Parkin failed to declare his armed forces pension, and claimed £9,398 to which he was not entitled.
He was handed a 12-month conditional discharge, and ordered to pay £100 costs at the hearing at Leyland Magistrates Court.
Mr Parkin will also have to pay back the money he fraudulently claimed.
The prosecution was the result of work done under the National Fraud Initiative, which sees the Audit Commission comparing data supplied by public bodies to identify and stop those illegally claiming benefits and discounts.
- There's no deterrent here. 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.
Everyone convicted of benefit fraud who doesn't go to prison should have to do unpaid work.
Benefit thieves should also 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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