Federal · Title 5 — Government Organization and Employees

5 U.S.C. § 8345a: Embezzlement or conversion of payments

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

A representative payee cannot unlawfully embezzle or convert benefit payments meant for a minor or individual to personal use. Violation is punishable by fine, up to 5 years imprisonment, or both.

Read the full statutory text

It shall be unlawful for a representative payee to embezzle or in any manner convert all or any part of the amounts received from payments received as a representative payee to a use other than for the use and benefit of the minor or individual on whose behalf such payments were received. revoke the certification for payment of benefits to the representative payee; and to another representative payee; or if the interest of the individual under this title would be served thereby, to the individual. Any person who violates subsection (a)(1) shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.