A man who failed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions about a part-time job was overpaid £2,860 in Jobseekers Allowance.
Paul Coupland (47), of Stockmans Avenue, Holbeach, admitted failing to notify his change of circumstances between February 8 2011 and December 12 of that year.
Spalding magistrates on Thursday gave him a community order with 100 hours unpaid work and ordered him to pay £100 costs.
Solicitor Mike Alexander, mitigating, said Coupland had a one day a week job and used the money to pay off debts.
He said the Department for Work and Pensions is reclaiming the overpayment by deducting sums from his benefit.