A Blue Grass, Iowa, woman was sentenced Thursday to two years probation, with six months home confinement, for defrauding the government.

Beverly Kaye Allers, 45, illegally took money from a fund that provides benefits to coal miners disabled by black lung disease, officials said. She was charged with theft from the government.

From March 2000 until December 2005, Allers received black lung program funds totaling $36,783.40. The funds were meant for Allers' mother, who died in 2000.

Allers made false statements on various forms required by the Department of Labor during the time period while she continued to receive benefits intended for her deceased mother, officials said.