42 USC 1011 - Penalties for fraud

U.S Code last checked for updates: Oct 17, 2024

§ 1011.

Penalties for fraud

(a)

In general

Whoever—

(1)

knowingly and willfully makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact in an application for benefits under this subchapter;

(2)

at any time knowingly and willfully makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact for use in determining any right to the benefits;

(3)

having knowledge of the occurrence of any event affecting—

(A)

his or her initial or continued right to the benefits; or

(B)

the initial or continued right to the benefits of any other individual in whose behalf he or she has applied for or is receiving the benefit,

conceals or fails to disclose the event with an intent fraudulently to secure the benefit either in a greater amount or quantity than is due or when no such benefit is authorized;

(4)

having made application to receive any such benefit for the use and benefit of another and having received it, knowingly and willfully converts the benefit or any part thereof to a use other than for the use and benefit of the other individual; or

(5)

conspires to commit any offense described in any of paragraphs (1) through (3),

shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, except that in the case of a person who receives a fee or other income for services performed in connection with any determination with respect to benefits under this subchapter (including a claimant representative, translator, or current or former employee of the Social Security Administration), or who is a physician or other health care provider who submits, or causes the submission of, medical or other evidence in connection with any such determination, such person shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof shall be fined under title 18, or imprisoned for not more than ten years, or both.

(b)

Court order for restitution

(1)

In general

Any Federal court, when sentencing a defendant convicted of an offense under subsection (a), may order, in addition to or in lieu of any other penalty authorized by law, that the defendant make restitution to the Commissioner of Social Security, in any case in which such offense results in—

(A)

the Commissioner of Social Security making a benefit payment that should not have been made, or

(B)

an individual suffering a financial loss due to the defendant’s violation of subsection (a) in his or her capacity as the individual’s representative payee appointed pursuant to section 1007(i) of this title.

(2)

Related provisions

(3)

Stated reasons for not ordering restitution

(4)

Receipt of restitution payments

(A)

In general

(B)

Payment to the individual

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VIII, § 811, as added Pub. L. 106–169, title II, § 251(a), Dec. 14, 1999, 113 Stat. 1852; amended Pub. L. 108–203, title II, § 209(b), Mar. 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 514; Pub. L. 114–74, title VIII, § 813(a)(2), (b)(2), Nov. 2, 2015, 129 Stat. 602, 603.)

cite as: 42 USC 1011