Wolverhampton student wrongly claimed more than £4k benefits
An apprentice wrongly claimed over £4,000 in benefits while receiving payment from a college he was studying at.
Reza Mohammadi, of John Street, Wolverhampton, took the money, totalling £4,164, in just under a year through housing benefits and income support, despite also receiving payment from Dudley College while he was completing the course.
Twenty-year-old Mohammadi, who is currently seeking asylum in the UK while he studies for an electrical installation qualification at the City of Wolverhampton College, was ordered to pay £240 in fines and repay the money he had claimed.
He pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to notify of a change of circumstances that would affect his entitlement to benefits, namely housing benefit and income support.
The money was accrued between March 11 2013 and March 16 2014.
Miss Maggie Meakin, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was claiming income support and housing benefits while he was in receipt of payment from Dudley College. He wrongly claimed £4,164 and has so far paid back £453."
The court heard that Mohammadi 'didn't know' he had to tell anyone that he was claiming benefits while being paid to study.
Mr Andrew Wakeman, defending, also said his client didn't believe the money he was receiving from Dudley College was classed as income, leading to confusion over disclosing it to HMRC.
He said: "To him it wasn't income as such, it was for travel and lunch. He didn't intend to be dishonest."
