A new report shows that Lancaster County ranks second in the state for the number of people caught abusing the welfare system.
Lancaster does have the second most people caught abusing the welfare system, but the District Attorney says that doesn’t mean it has the second most people committing fraud, the ones that are just getting caught.
“It is a huge problem. There are hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars that are being wasted and criminally stolen by people who are committing welfare fraud,” commented Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman.
Since July, Lancaster has reported 46 cases of welfare fraud, ranking the county second in the state, something District Attorney Craig Stedman says doesn’t tell the entire story. He says Lancaster just does a good job catching those who cheat the system.
“I think, from my point of view we are doing our jobs and the other counties should do the same,” Stedman told us.
Most welfare fraud is committed when someone is collecting benefits and doesn’t inform the state when something changes. For example, if a recipient gets a new job, they are supposed to report that, but don’t.
According to the State Inspector General’s office, these are the top three counties in the state for welfare fraud. Allegheny County, with 57 cases totally $247,000; Lancaster County with 46 cases totaling $117,000; and Philadelphia County with 43 cases, totaling $170,000 worth of fraud.
“It is maddening, particularly in these times when people are raising taxes and talking about raising taxes and the last thing you want to see is not just waste but people taking it criminally,” Stedman commented.
If someone does commit welfare fraud the penalties range from probation and losing benefits for a certain amount of time to possibly going to jail for repeat offenders.
Lancaster does have the second most people caught abusing the welfare system, but the District Attorney says that doesn’t mean it has the second most people committing fraud, the ones that are just getting caught.
“It is a huge problem. There are hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars that are being wasted and criminally stolen by people who are committing welfare fraud,” commented Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman.
Since July, Lancaster has reported 46 cases of welfare fraud, ranking the county second in the state, something District Attorney Craig Stedman says doesn’t tell the entire story. He says Lancaster just does a good job catching those who cheat the system.
“I think, from my point of view we are doing our jobs and the other counties should do the same,” Stedman told us.
Most welfare fraud is committed when someone is collecting benefits and doesn’t inform the state when something changes. For example, if a recipient gets a new job, they are supposed to report that, but don’t.
According to the State Inspector General’s office, these are the top three counties in the state for welfare fraud. Allegheny County, with 57 cases totally $247,000; Lancaster County with 46 cases totaling $117,000; and Philadelphia County with 43 cases, totaling $170,000 worth of fraud.
“It is maddening, particularly in these times when people are raising taxes and talking about raising taxes and the last thing you want to see is not just waste but people taking it criminally,” Stedman commented.
If someone does commit welfare fraud the penalties range from probation and losing benefits for a certain amount of time to possibly going to jail for repeat offenders.