Nancy Taylor, a 45-year-old woman from Fall River, Massachusetts, has pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing Social Security benefits that were meant for her child. She admitted to embezzling approximately $86,994.58 in benefits between May 2016 and May 2022.
In August 2014, Taylor applied to receive Social Security benefits on behalf of her child as a representative payee. The Social Security Administration (SSA) informed her of her obligation to notify them if her child left her custody. However, Taylor did not inform the SSA when she lost custody of her child in May 2016. Instead, she continued to receive the benefits and used them for her personal expenses.
In October 2021, Taylor contacted the SSA to update her child’s contact information, allowing her to continue receiving the benefits. Then, in June 2022, she visited an SSA field office to reactivate her receipt of her child’s benefits, providing fraudulent forms claiming that her child still lived with her and that she spent all the Social Security benefits she received for her child’s care. In reality, Taylor used the vast majority of the stolen funds to pay her own bills.
The charge of theft of public funds carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12, 2025.
This case highlights the importance of reporting any changes in custody to the SSA to ensure that benefits are used appropriately. The SSA relies on accurate information to distribute benefits to those who are eligible, and failing to report changes can result in serious legal consequences.
For more information on Social Security benefits and the responsibilities of representative payees, visit the official Social Security Administration website.
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