Noteboom The Law Firm

Fraud Case Ends with Check to SSA

The number of recent cases in which people who did not deserve Social Security disability benefits defrauded the system is quite troubling. This is especially concerning considering the amount of disabled people who have trouble getting any payments at all for years.

One of the most publicized cases recently involves a former sheriff from Arkansas. According to HarrisonDaily.com, 60-year-old Jerry L. Jones had been receiving undeserved benefits since 1996. He started out as truly disabled that year, due to a back injury suffered in the workplace.

However, when he reapplied for benefits in 1999 and 2005, he maintained that he was still too disabled to work, so he kept receiving the checks. The only problem with this is that he had been owner and president of a construction company since 1997. Of course he failed to report this fact to the Social Security Administration, since his checks would have been greatly reduced or taken away altogether.

He continued to run the business until 2007, even getting money from the state to complete a bridge project. After he admitted all these facts, he was sentenced to pay back over $100,000, and also will serve eight months in prison.

If you're wondering how he got away with this charade for so long, the answer is partly because he opened the company in his wife's name. Unfortunately, the SSA is so busy dealing with an influx of applications that it took ten years of him receiving benefits for officials to notice the fraud.

The only positive aspect of this case is that the SSA will receive back a portion of the money that was illegally obtained by Jones. Other recent cases in which the SSA was defrauded have a similar outcome, which at least means that officials might be catching on and demanding the money back.

If you or your loved one are suffering from a severe physical or mental disability, you should contact a Social Security Disability lawyer immediately to learn about your rights and determine eligibility. The process of securing Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be difficult and overwhelming. Don't go it alone! The disability lawyers at LaVan & Neidenberg, located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL understand the inner workings of the Social Security Administration and will help you navigate the system. Call us today for a FREE legal consultation - 1-888-234-5758.