Log In


Reset Password
  • MENU
    Police-Fire Reports
    Thursday, May 09, 2024

    Norwich woman charged with stealing state benefits

    Norwich — Police arrested a Norwich woman this week on charges she received more than $16,000 in state social services benefits by providing false information.

    Sarah Needham, 25, of 95 Cliff St. was charged Monday with first-degree larceny and second-degree false statement.

    The case was investigated by the state Department of Social Services, which alleges Needham defrauded both the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) program.

    A fraud investigation started as the result of a referral to the social service department’s toll-free fraud reporting hotline, according to a DSS spokesman.

    The investigation found Needham had not reported that her two minor children were not residing with her and therefore was not eligible for the funds.

    Investigators say Needham received $10,464 from the TFA program and another $6,444 from the SNAP program.

    She is due to appear Feb. 6 in Norwich Superior Court. Bond information was not immediately available.

    Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.