A New York couple faces multiple felony charges after authorities accused them of improperly receiving $2,447 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
Homer H. Rice, 40, and Ivy Rice, 38, of Cato are each charged with fourth-degree welfare fraud, fourth-degree grand larceny and misuse of food stamps.
Ivy Rice also faces first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. Authorities have not identified the document behind that additional charge or disclosed what information it allegedly contained.
The Amount Places Three Charges at the Felony Level
The Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Cato couple in connection with a fraud case. https://t.co/ikoP66jxop
— CNY Central (@CNYCentral) July 28, 2026
The Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office said the Rices are accused of defrauding the county of $2,447 in SNAP benefits. New York law classifies fourth-degree welfare fraud as a Class E felony when the public-assistance benefits allegedly obtained exceed $1,000.
Fourth-degree grand larceny is also generally a Class E felony when the property’s value exceeds $1,000. The state’s food-stamp misuse law makes unauthorized use, acquisition, transfer or possession involving more than $1,000 in benefits a Class E felony. Homer and Ivy Rice each face three felony-level charges arising from the same investigation.
Ivy Rice alone was charged with first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, another Class E felony. That offense generally concerns knowingly presenting a written instrument containing false information to a government office with the intent that it become part of the agency’s official records.
Three County Agencies Worked on the Case
The Cayuga County Department of Social Services Case Integrity Unit investigated with assistance from the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and the county District Attorney’s Office. The Rices turned themselves in at the Sheriff’s Office on July 20 after Auburn City Court issued arrest warrants.
At the city court judge’s request, both received appearance tickets instead of remaining in custody. They were directed to appear in Auburn City Court at 9:30 a.m. on July 29.
The charges remain allegations. No plea, conviction, restitution order or publicly reported final disposition was available when the arrests were announced.
SNAP Reporting Rules Depend on the Household’s Case
New York’s official SNAP change-report form warns that failing to report a required change can result in an overpayment claim and collection of benefits the agency determines should not have been issued.
Reporting obligations can differ depending on the household’s circumstances and reporting category. Recipients should review their eligibility notice and change-report form rather than assuming that every financial or household change follows the same deadline.
Questions can be directed to the local Department of Social Services handling the case. The New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance also lists 1-800-342-3009 for SNAP information outside New York City.
Suspected SNAP or public-assistance fraud can be reported through the New York State welfare-fraud reporting form.