Pa. to pay $50M over claims of giving benefits to ineligible immigrants

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has agreed to pay nearly $50 million to resolve the federal government's claims it provided public benefits to immigrants ineligible to receive them.

The state allegedly awarded the assistance between 2004 and 2010 through the Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Supplement Nutritional Assistance programs, according to a news release the U.S. Department of Justice issued Friday.

Under federal law, certain low-income immigrants who have been lawfully living in the U.S. for more than five years can receive non-emergency benefits through the three programs. States are required to verify recipients' eligibility before doling out the assistance.

But, in some cases, Pennsylvania allegedly provided benefits to immigrants who did not meet the five-year threshold or were not authorized to live in the country, according to authorities.

The $48.8 million settlement, which did not include a determination of liability, will be paid in quarterly installments over five years, according to a copy of the settlement agreement.

Peter J. Smith, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, issued a statement calling the agreement "a fair and reasonable settlement" achieved "in the best interest of Pennsylvania taxpayers."

"The staff of the civil division in our office has worked closely and diligently with our sister federal agencies, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and the governor's office to make needed corrections to the operation of programs that are vital to low income families," Smith said.

Other collaborating agencies included the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service, and the Justice Department Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch.