A WOMAN who was overpaid nearly £4,000 in benefits after failing to disclose a change in her circumstances has been given a 12-month community order and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work when she appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court.

Charlotte Curran, of Higher Grange, Grange-over-Sands, pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to report a change of circumstances that would have affected her entitlement to benefits, contrary to Section 112 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

In a prosecution brought by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC), magistrates heard that Curran, 29, had not told the council when her income had increased or when her hours of employment went up.

As a result, between October 21 2013 and September 7 2014, she had been overpaid housing benefit and received council tax reductions, together worth £3,995.99, that she was not entitled to.

In mitigation the court heard that Curran had admitted to acting dishonestly, was remorseful about her actions and is repaying the overpayment from her current benefit entitlement.

She was also ordered to pay the council’s costs in full of £352.40, together with a £60 victim surcharge.