A YOUNG mother cashed her child benefit and income support books and then reported them lost, a court heard.
Mr Ashley Harkus, prosecuting on behalf of the Benefits Agency, told Newport magistrates that Jacobs had been issued with new books but on the third occasion staff had become suspicious.
When arrested she admitted what she had done but said she needed more money.
Jacobs's solicitor, Mr Gareth Morgan, said she had three children aged 11, nine and five and had been addicted to heroin at the time.
"She is now now getting help from the Gwent Drugs Project but at the time these offences were committed it was a serious problem and Monmouth is a place which has a large number of addicts," he said.
Jacobs who asked for two similar matters to be considered was remanded on bail for reports until April 12th.