Opinion
November 1, 1976
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 to review so much of a determination of the respondent Commissioner of the New York State Department of Social Services, dated May 17, 1975 and made after a statutory fair hearing, as affirmed a determination of the Rockland County Department of Social Services that petitioner had received a $1,500 overpayment of assistance due to concealed income, and that such amount would be recouped by reducing petitioner's grant. Petition granted and determination annulled insofar as reviewed, on the law, with costs. The record does not contain any evidence that petitioner received $1,500 in real estate commissions prior to receiving her last welfare check. To the contrary, it appears that she decided not to attend her recertification interview, being aware that expected real estate commissions would shortly render her ineligible for further assistance. Rather than conceal the receipt of those funds, she decided to utilize them instead of public assistance. When the moneys were exhausted, she reapplied for assistance, disclosing the receipt and use of the commissions. Accordingly, the recoupment for alleged fraud was improper. Hopkins, Acting P.J., Martuscello, Cohalan, Margett and Shapiro, JJ., concur.