Ruth Chandler, Social Security Disability Benefits Fraud, Massachus…

Charlestown’s Ruth Chandler, also known as Ruth Patterson, has entered a guilty plea in federal court for a $102,754 scheme involving Social Security, Medicaid, and Food Stamp fraud. The 55-year-old faces substantial prison time after admitting to lying about her marital status and income to improperly obtain benefits.

Chandler began receiving Social Security disability benefits in April 2008, followed by Medicaid and Food Stamps in September 2008. Eligibility for these programs hinges on limited income and resources, but Chandler concealed her marriage to her husband from the Social Security Administration and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Upon discovering a jointly held bank account with her husband’s name, Chandler falsely claimed the account was incorrectly titled in her own name. She also misrepresented her living situation for Medicaid and Food Stamp applications, stating she lived with a ‘friend’ to whom she paid rent and utilities, forging her husband’s signature on documents.

Chandler’s fraudulent claims, which would have rendered her ineligible based on her husband’s income, resulted in an estimated $51,000 from SSDI, $40,753.01 from Medicaid, and $11,001 from Food Stamps over several years.

Scheduled for sentencing on July 25, 2017, the case was investigated by the Social Security Administration’s Inspector General and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Special Investigations Unit, with prosecution handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki.

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