Florida Welfare Fraud

The state of today’s economy means many people are struggling to make ends meet and reaching out for support through welfare programs. To qualify, you are often required to meet specific criteria for income and household composition, and making a mistake in the process may make you vulnerable to denial or accusations of Florida welfare fraud. Consulting with a Florida identity theft attorney may help you find a resolution to your Florida welfare fraud issues. 

What is Welfare Fraud?

Welfare fraud covers a number of behaviors but can generally be explained as any attempt to deceive or defraud a state or federally funded assistance program. Section 414.39 explains this may include misrepresentation or impersonation. Section 414 goes on to detail some of the ways an individual may commit welfare fraud: 

• Failing to disclose information that can affect the individual’s qualification to receive assistance
• Failure to report a change in circumstance that may entitle the individual to lower amounts of assistance
• Aiding or abetting someone in the commission of one of the above acts
• Attempting to buy, sell, or trade food stamps or EBT funds in exchange for unauthorized products. 
• Trading or using food stamps or EBT funds in exchange for cash, services, or other goods beyond what assistance funds are meant for

When we think of welfare, food stamps tend to be the first program we think of. However, the Florida Health Department provides other resources, such as Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Medicaid, or KidCare. Providing fraudulent or otherwise inaccurate documentation and information to obtain any of these benefits may still be considered welfare fraud.  This includes the use of a stolen identity or financial information. 

Penalties for Florida Welfare Fraud 

Chapter 414 of Florida legislation for family self-sufficiency addresses the penalties for welfare fraud, which can be a misdemeanor or felony. The determining factor in how you may be charged is based on the value of services you received in a 12-month period. 

Less than $200

If you have received less than $200 in funds for which you are ineligible, this may be charged as a first-degree misdemeanor. This charge may result in one year in jail, or 12 mos probation and up to $1000 in fines, along with the possibility of restitution. 

More than $200 

If you receive an aggregate amount of more than $200 in 12 consecutive months, the charges may be escalated to a felony charge. This may result in up to 5 years of confinement or probation, up to $10,000 in fines, or both. 

Florida Welfare Fraud Occurrences

The current social and political climates have increased financial pressure on citizens trying to get by day to day, as well as government agencies trying to manage dwindling financial support for public funds. This has led to a crackdown on Florida’s auditing and prosecution of individuals engaged in welfare fraud. Recent reports share that Florida reported more than 350 substantiated claims of stolen SNAP benefits. Many of these are suspected to be a result of identity theft. 

If you are the victim of theft or fraud, it is possible your information is being used to commit additional crimes such as welfare fraud and you may benefit from working with an identity fraud attorney who can help you ensure you have the appropriate documentation to protect yourself against accusations or charges of welfare fraud, and to help reclaim your identity and financial stability.