Carla Hunt, a 38-year-old mother from Birmingham, was found guilty of fraudulently claiming over £13,000 in Universal Credit payments for children who were no longer living with her. Additionally, she was overpaid more than £1,000 in Carer’s Allowance for one of her sons to which she was not entitled.
The court heard that Hunt failed to notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about significant changes in her circumstances after her children were removed from her care. She claimed the oversight “slipped her mind” and cited difficulties accessing her Universal Credit journal as a factor. Hunt also mentioned being advised by a social worker not to report her children’s removal, as it was considered temporary pending court proceedings.
Evidence indicated that Hunt continued to claim Universal Credit for her eight children from November 2021 and Carer’s Allowance from January 2021. However, the children had been removed from her care between January and June 2022. As a result, she received an overpayment of £13,487.96 for Universal Credit and £1,254.60 for Carer’s Allowance.
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At Birmingham Magistrates' Court, Hunt was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity and pay a £154 victim surcharge. Hunt accepted responsibility and has arranged to repay the overpaid benefits.
Her defense attorney, Peter Ricketts, revealed Hunt’s history of long-term domestic abuse, mental health challenges, and learning difficulties, which he argued impaired her ability to manage benefit procedures effectively. Ricketts also noted that the initial benefit claims were legitimate and that Hunt hoped to use the funds to improve her home’s condition in anticipation of her children’s return—a return that ultimately did not happen.
The court acknowledged Hunt’s acknowledgment of the wrongdoing but opted for a suspended sentence, emphasizing the importance of her compliance going forward. “Keep your nose clean, keep out of trouble, and you won’t go to prison,” the Chair of the Bench advised.