Welfare fraud exists when a person, on behalf of himself or others, has:
- Knowingly, and with intent to deceive or defraud, made a false statement or representation to obtain benefits, continue or increase benefits, or to avoid reduction or discontinuance of benefits.
- Knowingly and with intent to defraud, failed to disclose a fact, which if disclosed, could have resulted in a denial, reduction or discontinuance of aid.
- Accepted aid he knows he is not entitled to, or accepted any amount of aid knowing it is greater than the amount to which he is entitled.
- For the purpose of obtaining, continuing or avoiding a reduction or denial of aid, made statements that he did not know to be true with reckless disregard for the truth.
Examples:
- Falsely reporting a parent is absent from the household
- Intentionally failing to truthfully disclose current circumstances, or to report changes that could affect eligibility or benefits such as
- Household compostition, people leaving or entering the home
- Income, both earned and unearned, including Child Support
- Resources, including settlements
- Intentionally receiving benefits from two or more counties at the same time, or under more than one name
- Failing to report felony narcotics convictions
(FAQ96)
