Benefit cheat ordered to pay back £8,000 (From Winsford Guardian)

Benefit cheat ordered to pay back £8,000

3:19pm Monday 6th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)

A WINSFORD benefit cheat who wrongly claimed more than £8,000 must complete 200 hours unpaid work.

Jo-Anne Such, 39, of Kingsley Walk, had been secretly living with her partner for eight years but continued to claim housing benefit, Council Tax benefit and income support as a single person.

Appearing before magistrates at Vale Royal today, Monday, she pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to promptly notify the former Vale Royal Borough Council and the Department for Works and Pensions of a change of her circumstances which she knew would affect her entitlement.

She was ordered to repay the £8,080.87 along with £75 court costs, and must complete the 200 hours within 12 months.

A spokesman for Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “If anyone believes someone they know is claiming benefit that they are not entitled to, they can call the Cheshire West and Chester benefit fraud hotline on 0300 123 7030 or alternatively through the Cheshire West and Chester website cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk All calls are treated in the strictest confidence.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)