A WIDNES woman who was overpaid more than £8,000 in benefits after failing to declare her occupational pension has been fined.

Alice Whyment, aged 65, of Derwent Road admitted two charges of dishonestly making a false representation on her application form for benefits.

She was fined £250 by Warrington Magistrates on October 1 and ordered to pay £150 costs and a £25 victim surcharge.

She was overpaid £6,534.50 housing benefit and £1,688.41 council tax benefit from April, 2011 to December, 2013.

Whyment declared her income as widow’s benefit and later said she was receiving a state pension.

Halton Council discovered she was also receiving an occupation pension and her benefit claim was suspended.

She was asked to provide proof of her pension and the case was referred to the benefit investigation unit.

When interviewed, she said her son had completed the claim forms for her and he didn’t know she received an occupational pension.

She admitted she should have declared the pension.