Wife lied to claim single parent benefits

A benefit cheat who was in fact married and living with her employed husband has been found guilty of claiming over £26,000 from Rochdale Borough Council that she was not entitled to.

Ms Julie Morrow (maiden name), 43, of Seascale Walk, Middleton, has been dishonestly claiming single person council tax and housing benefit discounts as well as income support to the sum of £26,249.83 over a period of six years.

Fraud officers from the Council uncovered Morrow’s deception after an investigation was launched following an anonymous tip-off. Fraud officers discovered a marriage certificate registered to Morrow, whose married name is in fact Howard, and details of her husband’s employment proving that she had financial support.

The Council’s in-house legal team brought the case to Bury & Rochdale Magistrates Court on 23 July 2013 where Morrow pleaded guilty to making six false statements to Rochdale Borough Council and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). These claims were fraudulent from the outset. Morrow claimed as a single person when she was in fact married and co-habiting with her husband, David Howard.

She was sentenced to two months in prison suspended for 12 months, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and must pay £500 costs.

Ms Morrow has voluntarily started to repay back monies owed to the Council and DWP.