Noteboom The Law Firm

Man Accused of Disability Fraud Was Paid Under the Table

Once again, a person committed Social Security fraud by neglecting to tell the SSA about his employment while he received benefits. According to the Billings Gazette, a Montana resident received over $120,000 in Social Security disability benefits over several years after defrauding the SSA.

The 58-year-old man started out legitimately getting monthly checks in the 1980s because he had a back injury. He eventually returned to work in the late 1990s, but only earned less than $10,000 annually, which meant that he was still able to receive disability benefits.

Years later, he began making in excess of $25,000 annually from his jobs, which made the SSA suspicious. Officials reviewed his case, finding that he made more money than he was supposed to while still receiving benefits. He began getting paid under the table from a few employers in 2002, and this continued until 2008.

During this time, the SSA officials tried contacting him to find out what was going on, but he continually avoided them. He never updated his employment information on the forms for disability. He finally admitted the fraud recently.

Over the years, he collected about $77,000 for himself. His daughter received about $39,000, as the dependent children of disabled people typically get paid about half of what their parent receives. His punishment may include up to 5 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.

Many fraud cases involve people who start out receiving their rightful disability payments, but they neglect to inform the SSA when they start working again. It could be a simple mistake due to not knowing the rules or forgetting to update the case. However, you can still be penalized for such a big mistake. Having a lawyer to go over the rules with you may help ensure that you are not accused of committing fraud against the SSA.

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.