Woman Admits Fraud After Claiming Disability Benefits While Running Takeaway

By the Editorial Team · Friday, July 10, 2026

Julie Smith from Wishaw admitted to fraudulently claiming nearly £13,720 in disability benefits while working full-time at her takeaway business, JM Munchies. She was sentenced to electronic tagging and will have repayments deducted from her ongoing disability payments, underscoring authorities' efforts to combat benefit fraud.

A woman from Wishaw, Lanarkshire, admitted to fraudulently claiming nearly £13,720 in disability benefits while operating a takeaway business. Julie Smith, 47, was found to have provided false or misleading information to Social Security Scotland regarding her ability to work and perform daily activities.

Smith applied for adult disability payment in August 2022, citing constant pain from fibromyalgia and arthritis, along with anxiety, which she said severely limited her mobility and ability to care for herself. Officials granted her a lump sum payment of £2,147.95 and monthly payments of £505.40 based on her claims. However, these benefits were paid until March 2024, when investigators received a tip that she was working full time at JM Munchies, a takeaway in Coatbridge.

During court proceedings at Hamilton Sheriff Court, it was described how Social Security Scotland arranged surveillance and captured video evidence of Smith cooking, serving customers, and standing for extended periods. Investigators also documented her driving alone to shops, maneuvering shopping trolleys, and loading groceries into her car. These activities appeared inconsistent with her reported disability, which included claims that she could only walk up to 20 metres and required assistance for basic tasks.

When questioned, Smith acknowledged having "good days and bad days" and explained that she and her partner had established JM Munchies but struggled to keep the business afloat due to her health. She stated that medication enabled her to work but caused her significant pain at night.

Smith pleaded guilty to charges of benefit fraud and was sentenced to a 50-day electronic tagging order, confining her to her home from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Her defense counsel noted that while Smith has not yet repaid the benefit overpayments, she remains in receipt of disability benefits and arrangements will be made to deduct repayments from these payments.

The case highlights the challenges of verifying disability claims and the ongoing efforts by authorities to investigate alleged fraud within the social security system.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.