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New York legal term

Fraudulent welfare act in New York Criminal Law

Current through 2026 New York legislative session

In New York criminal law, “Fraudulent welfare act” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the New York criminal code.

What does “Fraudulent welfare act” mean in New York criminal law?

"Fraudulent welfare act" means knowingly and with intent to defraud, engaging in an act or acts pursuant to which a person: (1) offers, presents or causes to be presented to the state, any of its political subdivisions or social services districts, or any employee or agent thereof, an oral or written application or request for public assistance benefits or for a public benefit card with knowledge that the application or request contains a false statement or false information, and such statement or information is material, or (2) holds himself or herself out to be another person, whether real (N.Y. Penal Law § 158.00)

Statutes defining or using this term

Charges using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.