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A Masterton man has pleaded guilty to 11 charges of benefit fraud totalling $48,929.
Paul John Lovett changed his plea from not guilty on Monday in Masterton District Court, after he and the Ministry of Social Development agreed on an amended summary of facts.
The 42-year-old was charged with 10 counts of using a document for pecuniary advantage and one count of obtaining by deception.
Both charges hold a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.
Lovett applied for the Domestic Purposes Benefit for sole parents and the benefit was granted from May 23, 2009.
MSD carried out enquiries and established that in June 2010 Lovett had begun living in a de facto relationship in Featherston and had failed to advise them of his change in circumstances.
He continued to submit forms for various grants and benefits stating he was single.
As a result, between June 2010 and September 2015, Lovett received an overpayment totalling $81,174.
However, it is likely Lovett would have been entitled to the Job Seeker Support benefit during this period, had he told MSD of his full circumstances.
The loss for sentencing purposes was calculated as $48,929.
Lovett is repaying the debt at $10.50 per week.
He was released on bail and will reappear in court for sentencing in April.
