A WOMAN continued to claim income support despite being in receipt of student grants and loans.

Blackburn magistrates heard Jennifer Downie had notified the housing benefit provider of her new circumstances but not the Department of Work and Pensions.

And over a two year period she received nearly £7,000 she was not entitled to.

Downie, 28, of Roegreave Road, Oswaldtwistle, pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances that affected her entitlement to benefits.

She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 12 days rehabilitation activity requirement and fined £20.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said the offence covered the period between September 2015 and November 2017.

She claimed on the basis that she was unemployed but an investigation revealed she had failed to declare she was a full-time student in receipt of loans and grants which had not been declared.

Scott Parker, defending, said his client had no previous convictions.

She had notified housing benefit when she became a full-time student but thought she would still be entitled to income support as a single parent.

"She knows she is going to have to pay this money back," said Mr Parker.