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Most welfare fraud charges are wobblers, which means prosecutors have the discretion to file the cases as felonies or misdemeanors. A conviction can mean probation, fines, restitution, and possible time in jail or state prison.
California Welfare & Institutions Code 10980 WIC prohibits welfare fraud, which occurs when people make false statements to receive benefits they are not eligible for. Welfare fraud can be a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the facts of the case and the amount of benefits the defendant wrongly received.
10 wrz 2023 · Penalties for Welfare Fraud. Filing a fraudulent application is a wobbler offense in California. It may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the number and type of false applications submitted. A felony conviction carries up to three years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.
(1) If the total amount of the aid obtained or retained is nine hundred fifty dollars ($950) or less, by imprisonment in a county jail for a period of not more than six months, by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by both imprisonment and fine.
Welfare Fraud is the crime of knowingly misrepresenting your factual financial status or worth in order to receive more welfare benefits than you are legally deserved. This misrepresentation is used to obtain health care, public aid, WIC, food stamps, etc.
Most misdemeanor welfare fraud offenses are punishable by fines up to $1000 and up to one year in jail; Most felony offenses carry fines of up to $5000 and are either 16 months, two years, or three years in a California state prison. Let's review specific types of offenses.
To report welfare fraud contact the appropriate County Agency directly. If you need assistance in determining which county to call contact the Welfare Fraud Hotline at 1-800-344-8477 or by e-mail at FraudHotline@dss.ca.gov .
