Chorley mum admits £4,000 benefit fraud (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Chorley mum admits £4,000 benefit fraud

9:53am Monday 30th November 2009 in Chorley

A Chorley mum of two has pleaded guilty to falsely obtaining more than £4,000 in benefits.

Donna Whittingham, 29, of Great Meadow, Astley Village, claimed housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support as a single parent, but failed to tell the Department for work and Pensions and Chorley Council that she had a partner who was in full-time work.

South Ribble magistrates heard that a full investigation was launched by Chorley Council when she withdrew her benefit claims on the same day a council visiting officer called unannounced at her home in February 2009 to check her claim was in order.

That investigation revealed she had been living with her partner for nearly a year and as this affected an earlier claim for income support, an investigator from the Department for Work and Pensions became involved.

Councillor Kevin Joyce, Chorley Council’s executive member for resources, said: "This case came to light as a result of our verification procedure and the diligence of our staff.

"I would encourage anyone to claim their entitlement to benefit. However people need to play fair and only claim what is rightfully theirs.

Magistrates gave Miss Whittingham credit for her early guilty plea, fined her £65 and ordered her to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

Steps are now being taken to recover the overpayment in full.