946.93 Public assistance fraud.

(1) In this section, “public assistance" means any aid, benefit, or services provided under ch. 49.

(2) Whoever intentionally makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of material fact in any application for or receipt of public assistance is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(3) No person may do any of the following:

(a) Having knowledge of an event affecting the initial or continued eligibility for public assistance, conceal or fail to disclose that event with an intent to fraudulently secure public assistance, including payment either in a greater amount or quantity than is due or when no such benefit or payment is authorized.

(b) Receive any income or assets and fail to notify the public assistance agency within 10 days after receiving the income or assets, unless a different time period is required under the applicable public assistance program.

(c) Fail to notify the public assistance agency within 10 days of any change in circumstances for which notification by the recipient must be provided under law, unless a different time period is required under the applicable public assistance program.

(d) Receive a voucher under a public assistance program for goods or services and use the funding granted under the voucher for purposes that are not authorized by the public assistance agency.

(e) Whoever violates par. (a), (b), (c), or (d) is subject to the following penalties:

1. If the value of the payment or benefit does not exceed $300, a Class B forfeiture.

2. If the value of the payment or benefit is more than $300 but does not exceed $1,000, a Class B misdemeanor.

3. If the value of the payment or benefit is more than $1,000 but does not exceed $2,000, a Class A misdemeanor.

4. If the value of the payment or benefit is more than $2,000 but does not exceed $5,000, a Class I felony.

5. If the value of the payment or benefit is more than $5,000 but does not exceed $10,000, a Class H felony.

6. If the value of the payment or benefit is more than $10,000, a Class G felony.

(4) A person who obtains money, goods, services, or any other thing of value because he or she sends or brings a person to a county department, federally recognized American Indian tribe or band, multicounty consortium, or Wisconsin Works agency for the purpose of obtaining public assistance is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

(5)

(a) Whoever solicits or receives money, goods, services, or any other thing of value in return for referring an individual to a person for the furnishing or arranging for the furnishing of any item or service for which a public assistance payment may be made in whole or in part, or in return for purchasing, leasing, ordering, or arranging for or recommending purchasing, leasing, or ordering any good, facility, service, or item for which public assistance payment may be made in whole or in part, is guilty of a Class H felony, except that, notwithstanding the maximum fine specified in s. 939.50 (3) (h), the person may be fined not more than $25,000.

(b) Whoever offers or provides money, goods, services, or any other thing of value to any person to induce the person to refer an individual to a person for the furnishing or arranging for the furnishing of any item or service for which public assistance payment may be made in whole or in part, or to purchase, lease, order, or arrange for or recommend purchasing, leasing, or ordering any good, facility, service, or item for which public assistance payment may be made in whole or in part, is guilty of a Class H felony, except that, notwithstanding the maximum fine specified in s. 939.50 (3) (h), the person may be fined not more than $25,000.

(c) This subsection does not apply to any of the following:

1. A discount or other reduction in price obtained by a provider of services or other entity under chs. 46 to 51 and 58 if the reduction in price is properly disclosed and appropriately reflected in the costs claimed or charges made by the provider or entity under a public assistance program.

2. An amount paid by an employer to an employee who has a bona fide employment relationship with the employer for employment in the provision of covered items or services.

3. Any payment made for sharing of cost savings under s. 49.45 (26g).

(6) Whoever makes any statement in a written application for public assistance is considered to have made an admission as to the existence, correctness, or validity of any fact stated. Such a statement is prima facie evidence against the person who made it in any complaint, information, or indictment, or in any action brought for enforcement of any provision of this section or ch. 49.

History: 2013 a. 226; 2017 a. 279.