In March 2011, the ministry received a tip-off that Mrs Gainford submitted claim forms using her maiden name of George.
The ministry later discovered her full maiden name was Donna Marie George.
In her statement, Mrs Gainford admitted she used the name Marie George or Mary George to identify support carers who did not exist.
Mr Gainford admitted
he was aware the claims were fraudulent and that the fraud occurred after he reached an agreement with his wife.
Defence lawyer Chris Perry said the couple were ashamed of their actions.
The fact both offered to pay reparation after being bankrupted was a significant mitigating factor, he said.
Judge Simon Maude said fraudulent claims diverted unnecessary spending from those families that had a real need for service.
Those losses, he said, also had a flow-on effect to the overall health budget which meant important funds were unavailable to provide other important services.
He sentenced Mrs Gainford to three months' home detention and ordered her to pay reparation of $5925.
Mr Gainford was sentenced to three months' community detention and ordered to perform 150 hours' community work.
He will also repay a similar amount to the ministry.
