Reemployment Assistance Fraud
Reemployment Assistance fraud is any false statements or failure to disclose a material fact, knowingly made for the purpose of obtaining or preventing payment of benefits contrary to the provisions of the law. Reemployment Assistance fraud is a third degree felony and can result in serious consequences for the claimant.
Several examples of Reemployment Assistance fraud include:
- Intentionally not reporting any wages that have been earned
- May have intentionally under reported earnings
- Misrepresented the reason for the job separation
When a fraud determination is issued:
- Claimant will be required to repay the overpayment with a 15% penalty
- Will be disqualified from receiving future benefits (a disqualification can be imposed on a week by week basis up to a one year period)
- May have the case referred to the State Attorney for prosecution, which can result in a charge of grand theft or a misdemeanor
Prosecution and conviction of Reemployment Assistance fraud may result in the claimant being required to serve jail time, make restitution, be placed on probation or some type of pretrial intervention, and serve community hours.