Benefit Fraud

[jakey01]

Can anyone advise me the rules on receiving maternity benefit. The case in question involves someone who was working for one employer, left on maternity benefit ,had the child then worked for a different employer on a "cash in hand" basis whilst still claiming benefit.
Has she broken the law ?

[ojread2]

Well, depends
You can quite legally work for a different employer whilst on mat leave and receiving SMP - not sure what the rules are for SM Allowance which is paid if you don't qualify for SMP
Was there any other benefit involved such as income support?
Cash in hand work should be declared to the tax man, so the law has been broken there is it wasn't declared