I am the payee on my father’s SSI account and he is being investigated for fraud. Can I be held responsible?
I am the payee on my father’s SSI benefit account. He may be charged with fraud for, unknowingly, failing to inform the office that he, on occasion, will work for tips at a bar. We went to the office, and they have already started an investigation, but he did sign a statement regarding the very small income from the bar. Can I be held legally responsible as an accessory to his fraudulent behaviors? I don’t know when, what, or where he does outside of the house.
No, you won’t be responsible because you didn’t know he was working. And if he didn’t know any better, I don’t see where he would either, but he could have to pay back some of his benefits. Maybe earning a few dollars won’t cause him to loose his benefits. To the other poster, there are some cases where a person needs someone to be in charge of their money because they are not responsible enough to handle their finances. A family member or close friend can receive the check (it will be made out like to Jane Doe for John Doe) and use it for the persons expenses, like rent, food and utilities or ever how they see fit. I am payee for my nephew that we have custody of and he gets a small check every month off his mom cause she is on disability. I have a checking account that I deposit the check in and then I will give him some money for his personal use, the rest is spent on stuff like clothes, school supplies and other necessities.
You’re not an accessory in his dealings.
He should get a lawyer.
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I am on SS as well. No, I don’t think you can be held accountable. When you are on SS, you are required, by law, to report monthly earnings of all income, including gifts such as money, rent, food, etc. They make this well known so any argument that he might present that he didn’t know it, is not going to work.
Neither will they believe he was only working for tips. Even if his employer is willing to say so. Fraud is as fraud does. He didn’t report it. He should have.
By the way…what exactly, is it mean to be a payee on an SSI acct? Just curious. Hope this helped.
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No, you won’t be responsible because you didn’t know he was working. And if he didn’t know any better, I don’t see where he would either, but he could have to pay back some of his benefits. Maybe earning a few dollars won’t cause him to loose his benefits. To the other poster, there are some cases where a person needs someone to be in charge of their money because they are not responsible enough to handle their finances. A family member or close friend can receive the check (it will be made out like to Jane Doe for John Doe) and use it for the persons expenses, like rent, food and utilities or ever how they see fit. I am payee for my nephew that we have custody of and he gets a small check every month off his mom cause she is on disability. I have a checking account that I deposit the check in and then I will give him some money for his personal use, the rest is spent on stuff like clothes, school supplies and other necessities.
References :