Colorado Welfare Fraud Attorney

When you need help and apply for welfare benefits, the last thing you need is to be accused of welfare fraud. Being charged with welfare fraud could jeopardize the opportunity for you to receive any other state assistance and will go on your record. Let Weber Law help you get the benefits you need!

WHAT IS WELFARE FRAUD?

In the state of Colorado, welfare fraud can include filing a false claim for welfare, making a false statement such as underreporting income, failing to report all the people living in the home, or other assets and property owned. It can also mean taking another person’s welfare benefits without authorization or receiving welfare benefits in multiple states under multiple claims. 

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES?

There are a variety of penalties that a person found guilty of welfare fraud may face including being disqualified from participating in welfare programs.

Committing welfare fraud is considered theft and can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the severity of the fraud. 

For example: welfare fraud that is committed for a monetary value of $50 or more but less than $300 is considered a class 3 misdemeanor and can have a penalty of $50 or more but less than $750 and up to 6 months in jail. Welfare fraud that is committed for a monetary value of $5,000 or more but less than $20,000 is considered a class 5 felony, with a punishment of 1 to 3 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000.

There are other crimes also associated with welfare fraud that a person could be charged with. These crimes include identity theft, and even forgery. Each of these charges carries a different penalty. So on top of a theft charge, you could potentially be facing another serious charge.

Forgery is a class 5 felony in Colorado and can be penalized by 1 to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000.

Identity theft is a class 4 felony in Colorado and can be penalized by 2 to 6 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $500,000.

HOW CAN YOU FIGHT A CHARGE OF WELFARE FRAUD?

If you have been charged with welfare fraud, Weber Law can help you defend yourself against this charge. Defenses for welfare fraud can include if you were a victim of identity theft, there was a typo, you did not intend to commit welfare fraud, and many others. Let Weber Law look at all the aspects of your case and come up with the best defense for you! We are comfortable and confident handling welfare fraud cases. We have experience winning these cases and getting you the benefits you need. If you or anyone you know has been charged with welfare fraud in the state of Colorado, call Weber Law today for a consultation. 

• CRS 26-2-305 – Fraudulent acts- penalties
• CRS 18-5-102 – Forgery
• CRS 18-5-902- Identity Theft
• CRS 18-1.3-501- Misdemeanors classified
• CRS 18-1.3-401- Felonies classified-presumptive penalties