Date: 14/12/2009
A New Mills woman fraudulently obtained nearly £8,000 in benefits after she failed to disclose that she was living with a partner in full-time employment.
Joanne Keeling, aged 30, of St. George's Road, pleaded guilty to two charges of benefit fraud when she appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates on Friday 11 December.
The court heard that Keeling received £7,939.52 in Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support between April 2008 and January 2009 after she failed to tell High Peak Borough Council or the Department for Work and Pensions that she was living with a partner who worked full time.
Magistrates recommended a community order, and adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports.
The offences were discovered after council officials and investigators from the DWP acted on information received.
Said Emily Thrane, Executive Councillor for Corporate Services: "If you know anybody who is falsely claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, you should 'phone our dedicated fraud hotline on (01298) 28433.
"You don't have to leave your name", she stressed.