Felons could lose Social Security benefits under Sen. Coats proposal

“Hoosier taxpayers should not pay for disability and retirement benefits for those running from the law,” said Coats, in a press release. “It is outrageous that individuals subject to an arrest warrant or violating their parole are receiving these benefits. This situation should be corrected immediately.”

According to Coats, the Social Security Act currently prevents those from fleeing justice from receiving social security and other federal benefits.

“Congress first addressed this issue in 1996 when it banned fugitives from receiving social security benefits,” said Coats, during a speech on the Senate floor. “It the expanded the language to include social security disability payments and World War II benefits in 2004.”

Coats told the Senate on Thursday that these parts of the law have been weakened by recent court challenges. His new bill hopes to clarify some of the parts of the law that were weakened by the court challenges so that wanted felons do not gain from the social security system.

“Let me be clear, the government should not be providing benefits to those avoiding prosecution on felony crimes,” said Coats, during a speech on the senate floor. “We are not talking about individuals that get a speeding ticket or make a mistake on their taxes. This bill would only apply to those with an arrest warrant for felony charges. The felony crime must also carry enough magnitude to warrant a minimum of one year in prison.”

There will also be provisions in the bill for individuals to get their benefits back if they are exonerated of the crime, are a victim of identity theft, or have other valid reasons not to fall into the classification of someone who needs to lose their benefits, according to Coats.  

According to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill has the potential to save American taxpayers $4.8 billion over the next ten years alone.