The economy is in dire straits, as everyone knows. Unemployment is up. Gas prices are again on the rise. Times are difficult for almost every American, no matter who they are. When times are difficult, there are times when we start to consider options that we might not consider otherwise. Any time the economy is poor, when unemployment is up, there are increases in the numbers of people making use of some of the social programs set up to help those who need help, i.e. unemployment, food stamps, TANF, etc. During these times, there is also a rise in people who take advantage of that system.
The State has little patience for those who fraudulently syphon benefits that could go to those who truly need it. In times of economic downturn, the State has even less patience with those people. There has been a very dramatic increase in the number of these benefit fraud cases over the last year or so. The State does not hesitate to prosecute these cases to the full extent of the law. Times are tough, but do not make them tougher by subjecting yourself to this kind of prosecution.
