The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette has a report about a woman who is accused of welfare fraud. The woman apparently claimed that her children were living with her and, as a result, collected $17,000 in food stamps and Medicaid benefits she wouldn’t have otherwise received.
From my perspective as a debt collector lawyer – not exactly the least biased of perspectives – I think there is a lot of this going on; particularly with disability, TANF, and Section 8 Housing. I have spoken casually to township trustees – responsible for administering local poor relief – and they tend to be aware of fraud for these programs. They can deny the poor relief under their control, but can’t do much with the state administered programs.
Just wanted to add comment to “disability fraud” from a personal experience. Making a long story short. My daughter is 17years old. her father is approx. $40,000.00 plus behind in support. He’d rather go to jail in 6 month increments for failure to pay than to even pay a little. On a positive note. If one (delinquent parent) gets a job, Indiana has a system set up to automatically garnish. However my ex works for cash and has been trying to qualify for disability for 17 years! Continuously getting denied.. Which I’ve foiled his attempts in the past because he is NOT disabled. He works for cash. Cant garnish that. He feels (and has said to me) If his disability claim goes thru I would automatically get a check for child support garnished from his benefits and I’m stupid for butting in. I DONT WANT MONEY HE DOES NOT DESERVE! Wouldn’t THAT be fraud!
The dilemma is the process.. when he files and gets denied he then gets a lawyer and RE-files. In that situation the child support division in Richmond states they cannot pursue CHILD SUPPORT against him WHILE he has a pending case! There for I don’t get child support and legally cannot pursue it.. Something is obviously wrong with this picture..
Can you say DEAD BEAT DAD..
What’s worse..THE GOVERNMENT ENABLES IT!!
So basically if you’re one of those worthless people that don’t feel you have to take financial responsibility for your children.. the government DOES give you the perfect option..Just file for DISABILITY whether you are or not! Who do you think is responsible for that nonsense? Mayors? Governors? Lawyers? State Representatives?
A few suggestions to correct the problem.
Once deadbeat dad has been denied force him to produce the documentation stating why he has been denied. The judge and hopefully IV-D prosecutor will look at it and ask why deadbeat dad isn’t working if the government says he can.
If you want to be mean have them file criminal non support of a dependent charges on deadbeat dad. I can see the cross examination now.
Deadbeat Dad: But I’ve filed for disability so that’s why I can’t pay child support.
Prosector:For 17 years? And you’ve been turned down for disability how many times?
I’m sure the judge and jury will be very impressed with his answers.
I don’t have any problem going after people defrauding the government, but I want to make the point that the majority of the people using these services (myself included) are doing so legally. Often, when fraud is discussed, it only focuses on the fraud in a way that makes it seem, to me, as if fraud is so prevalent that everyone who receives disability or food stamps becomes suspect.
I have a $12,000 TANF debt from a girl who was working while i was incarcerated. She worked at FED Ex and also was a beautician. She reported income from FED Ex, but not the other job. She receives food stamps currently and still doesn’t report the second job, is this welfare fraud? My driving privileges are suspended by child support and they are garnishing my wages for back TANF, not child support.