A mother from Staffordshire has been ordered to repay over £20,000 in disability benefits after her own Facebook posts revealed she was not as unwell as she claimed. Sara Morris, 50, was caught out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) when pictures showed her running in 5km and 10km races. The mum of three, who has multiple sclerosis (MS), exaggerated her condition to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This article looks at her case, the court’s ruling, and what it means for others claiming benefits.
The False Claims
Sara Morris was diagnosed with MS in 2005 but applied for PIP in 2020, saying she struggled with daily tasks like standing at the cooker or getting out of the bath. She told the DWP she felt anxious leaving the house and even a trip to the pharmacy left her in tears. Based on these claims, she received £2,292.63 a month in PIP. However, she failed to tell the DWP she was an active member of the Stone Master Marathoners, a running club, and regularly took part in races. Her Facebook posts, showing her competing in events just days before and after her PIP application, led to a DWP investigation in February 2023.
| Claimed Issues | Details |
|---|---|
| Mobility | Said she struggled to leave the house |
| Daily Tasks | Claimed she couldn’t stand or bathe alone |
| Anxiety | Stated pharmacy trips caused distress |
How She Was Caught
The DWP found photos and posts on Morris’s Facebook page that showed her running without any signs of difficulty. One picture, taken just two days before her PIP claim, showed her in a competitive race. More posts revealed she took part in marathons and orienteering events over several years. During a May 2023 interview, Morris admitted she filled out her PIP form based on her worst days but confirmed she was an active runner before and during her claim. The court said she would not have received PIP if she had been honest about her abilities.
Court’s Decision
At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Judge Graeme Smith ordered Morris to repay £22,386.02 within 28 days or face nine months in prison. The court heard she was overpaid £20,528.83 between October 2020 and April 2023. Morris had already been sentenced to prison the previous year for her fraud. Her lawyer, Paul Cliff, said her MS symptoms varied, but she accepted her application did not give the full picture. The judge made it clear that claimants must report any changes in their condition to the DWP.
| Court Ruling | Details |
|---|---|
| Repayment Amount | £22,386.02 |
| Deadline | 28 days |
| Penalty for Non-Payment | 9 months in prison |
Why This Matters
This case shows how seriously the DWP takes benefit fraud. Last year, the DWP reported £7.4 billion was lost to fraud across all benefits, with Universal Credit fraud alone reaching £6.5 billion. Social media, like Facebook, is increasingly used to catch cheats, as posts can reveal activities that contradict claims. The DWP says claimants must update them if their condition improves, or they risk losing benefits and facing legal action.
Advice for Claimants
If you claim PIP or other benefits, be honest about your condition and report any changes to the DWP straight away. You can contact them by phone or through GOV.UK. Check your claim forms carefully to avoid mistakes, as even honest errors can lead to trouble. If you’re worried about your claim, get free advice from Citizens Advice or websites like benefitsandwork.co.uk. Always be cautious about what you share online, as the DWP may use social media to check claims.
Morris’s case is a warning to others: exaggerating a condition can lead to serious consequences. By staying honest and keeping the DWP updated, claimants can avoid legal trouble and ensure they get the support they’re entitled to.