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Great-Niece Cashed In Over $150K in Deceased Aunt's Benefits
26 Oct
Summary
- A Florida woman withdrew over $152,000 in benefits from her deceased great-aunt.
- The withdrawals occurred for nearly six years, from April 2017 to December 2022.
- She now faces potential jail time and fines for Social Security fraud and theft.
Asha Anderson, 48, of Pompano Beach, Florida, has been found guilty of Social Security fraud and theft of government funds. She illicitly collected over $152,000 in her great-aunt's Social Security retirement benefits over a period of nearly six years. Anderson was found to have been withdrawing these funds from ATMs between April 2017 and December 2022.
Under federal law, collecting funds after a beneficiary's death constitutes a serious federal crime. Anderson faces potential penalties including felony charges, prison sentences, and mandatory restitution. While intentional deception can lead to substantial jail time, individuals without prior criminal history might negotiate probation and a civil repayment plan.
Families are responsible for reporting a death to the Social Security Administration (SSA) promptly. This can be done by phone or in person, as online reporting is not yet available. The SSA will notify Medicare, but families must inform private insurers and return any posthumous payments, including those made during the month of death.
Surviving family members may be eligible for survivor benefits or a one-time death payment of $255. These benefits are based on the deceased's work history, with a surviving spouse potentially receiving up to 100% of the benefit if they wait until their full retirement age.
