Woman falsely claimed £30k in benefits after moving in with partner
A MUM-OF-THREE from Pyle falsely claimed nearly £30,000 in benefits by failing to tell authorities that she had moved in with her partner.
Natalie Howe, 28, admitted dishonestly claiming more than £18,000 in housing benefit and nearly £12,000 in income support to which she was not entitled over a three-year period. Speaking at Cardiff Crown Court, her defence barrister Rosamund Rutter said: “She appreciates this is a large chunk out of the public purse.”
The court heard her initial claim for income support in June 2012 – as a single mother with three dependent children – was legitimate. The money was paid straight into her bank account.
Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, said she also made a proper claim for housing benefit, which was paid directly to her landlord from Bridgend council.
During the application process, Howe signed paperwork agreeing to declare any changes in her circumstances that may affect her entitlement to the benefits.
But the court heard she failed to disclose the fact she had resumed a relationship and was living with her former partner, who was in work.
Investigators carried out surveillance at their home in Bridgend between January and March last year.
Prosecutors said she received an overpayment of £18,143.02 in housing benefit between May 2013 and August 2016. The defendant also received an overpayment of £11,503.01 in income support between May 2013 and June 2016.
Mr Gobir said: “The total loss to the public purse was £29,646.03.”
He confirmed there would be no application under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Howe, from Beach Road in Pyle, Bridgend, admitted two counts of benefit fraud.
Ms Rutter stressed her client had no previous convictions and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
She told the court Howe’s application was not fraudulent from the outset and she had so far paid back £446.
The defence barrister added the offending was not intended to fund a “lavish lifestyle”, but to “make things easier” for her partner and three children – aged three, five and eight.
Ms Rutter said: “Her head was in the sand at that stage. She realises now it was a stupid decision.” She told the court the defendant plans to start work as soon as her youngest child starts school in September.
Judge Christopher Vosper QC imposed a 12-month community order, requiring Howe to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. She must also pay £250 in costs and a victim surcharge.