A MUM has been ordered to carry out unpaid work after she admitted falsely claiming almost £10,000 in benefits while she was working.

Michelle Morris, 40, appeared at Basildon Magistrates Court today charged with dishonestly failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of a change in her circumstances.

She committed the offence between February 6, 2012 and March 31, 2015, which affected her entitlement to her carer's allowance over that time, amounting to £9,734.

The court heard that Morris, who works for a building company during the day and a Chinese restaurant during evenings, had initially legitimately claimed carer's allowance which helped her look after her ten-year-old son Daniel.

She began working after her husband lost his job.

Prosecutor Lesley Chipps told the court: "She had several periods of employment and during those periods, she did not inform the relevant agency that there had been a change in circumstances.

"She was fully compliant during her interview and she said that she had started to work when her husband stopped working and he continued with the care.

"Therefore there had been a reversal of roles."

Stuart Cowen, mitigating, said that if Morris, of Calder, East Tilbury, had notified the department about her husband becoming unemployed, it would not have affected the family's carer's allowance claim.

He added that, despite the court case, the family has had its carer's allowance reinstated.

Mr Cowen said: "When she made the claim, her husband was working. He then lost his employment and then sank into depression.

"It was decided that because of his problems, Mrs Morris should go out to work instead and he would stay at home and look after the children.

"They have since given their circumstances to the relevant authorities and they have been granted carer's allowance so the irony is that the allowance would not have changed if she had notified the authorities.

"She does realise that this money does have to be paid back. It's quite an unfortunate and sad case."

Magistrates handed Morris a 12 month community order, and ordered her to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.