Welfare fraud
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It has been suggested that benefit fraud be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since May 2011. |
Welfare fraud refers to various intentional misuses of state welfare systems by withholding information or giving false or inaccurate information.
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Examples of welfare fraud [edit]
- The executive director of the Illinois Legislative Advisory Committee on Public Aid in 1977 claimed that Linda Taylor of Chicago used 14 aliases to obtain $150,000 for medical assistance, cash assistance and bonus cash food stamps. He claimed that she went from district to district with many disguises, using more than 100 aliases.[1] She is believed to form the basis of Ronald Reagan's "welfare queen", and was sentenced for two to six years.[citation needed]
- Dorothy Woods, who claimed 38 non-existent children.[2] She was sentenced to eight years jail.[citation needed]
- Esther Johnson, who was sentenced to four years in state prison when accused of "collecting $240,000 for more than 60 fictitious children".[3]
- Arlene Otis was indicted in Cook County, Illinois for "613 counts of illegally receiving $150,839 in welfare funds between July 1972 and February 1978."[4] She was sentenced to four years jail.[citation needed]
- Unnamed woman (60) of the Roma people illegally received in excess of $1,400,000 by deceiving the Norwegian welfare authorities for 23 years. Techniques used were claiming for 17 fictitious grandchildren, and claiming her son was autistic, nursing him through the age of 13 in meetings with welfare workers. Court case pending (Oct 2009).[5]
- In 2010, a Tokyo family was suspected of fraud after claiming pensions for a man for 30 years after his alleged death. His 'skeletal remains' were found still in the family home.[6]
Prevalence of welfare fraud [edit]
The US Department of Labor reported that 1.9% total UI payments for 2001 was attributable to fraud or abuse within the UI program.[7] The Los Angeles Times reported in 2010 that twenty-four percent of new welfare applications in San Diego County contain some form of fraud. However, this statistic was misreported and the actual figure is probably considerably lower.[8]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Associated Press, Mar. 8, 1977, AM cycle, Chicago (available on LEXIS)[verification needed]
- ^ "Woman's Aid Claims for 38 children Are Examined". The New York Times. December 21, 1980. p. 31.
- ^ Associated Press, June 13, 1979, AM cycle, Compton, CA (available on LEXIS)[verification needed]
- ^ "Woman Faces 613 Counts Of Welfare Fraud". Observer-Reporter. Associated Press. May 9, 1978.
- ^ "Seksbarnsmor i tidenes trygdesvindel - VG Nett". Vg.no. 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
- ^ . BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-10809128. Retrieved 15 January 2013. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ^ "Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Human Resources, 6-11-02 Testimony". Waysandmeans.house.gov. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
- ^ "Fact Check: The Frequency of Welfare Fraud - voiceofsandiego.org: San Diego Fact Check". voiceofsandiego.org. 2010-11-10. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
