HARRISBURG, Pa. — In June of 2024, 47 people were charged with felony public assistance fraud, according to the Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG).
The restitution owed to the Commonwealth in these cases reportedly totals $228,772. Additional cost savings will be realized because the defendants will be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits in the programs they allegedly defrauded, according to OSIG.
“These charges highlight OSIG’s ongoing commitment to identifying and prosecuting fraudulent activities, ensuring that resources reach those genuinely in need,” said State Inspector General Lucas M. Miller. “Maintaining the integrity of our assistance programs is paramount, and our dedication to this work is vital in preserving public trust.”
OSIG investigates and prosecutes public assistance fraud and conducts collection activities for the public benefits programs administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS).
“The Shapiro Administration remains vigilant to deter, detect, and refer suspected public assistance fraud to OSIG. Pennsylvania’s public assistance programs are a lifeline for people in difficult situations, and DHS works diligently to ensure the benefits we administer remain available to those who deserve them," said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “Our strong partnership with OSIG is integral to maintaining the responsible stewardship of these essential programs.”
It's alleged that the 47 individuals charged either trafficked their public assistance or misrepresented their household circumstances and fraudulently received taxpayer-funded public benefits to which they were not entitled.
If convicted, the maximum penalty defendants face for public assistance fraud is seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000.
In the case of SNAP, Cash Assistance or Subsidized Day Care fraud, defendants could face a mandatory disqualification period from the benefits program they allegedly defrauded.
