A Florida woman is facing a string of felony charges after investigators said more than $24,000 in Supplemental Security Income benefits continued to be paid after her mother’s death.
Brandlyn Yonally, 43, of Youngstown, was arrested Aug. 18 following an investigation by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office into suspected identity theft and misuse of Social Security benefits.
Authorities say Yonally’s mother died in August 2024, but her death was never reported to the Social Security Administration, according to WJHG.
Investigators say the money was accessed through ATM withdrawals, Cash App and Bay County Jail inmate accounts. The case later expanded to include another alleged fraud victim and evidence recovered during a search of Yonally’s home.
More Than $24,000 Was Paid After Her Mother’s Death
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office said its Criminal Investigations Division received information about Yonally in April 2026 and began investigating suspected identity theft and fraud.
Deputies determined that Yonally’s mother had died in August 2024. Investigators say the Social Security Administration had not been notified of the death and more than $24,000 in SSI benefits continued to be paid afterward.
Authorities accuse Yonally of accessing those funds through several methods, including ATM withdrawals and Cash App transactions. Investigators also said some of the money was accessed through Bay County Jail inmate accounts.
The investigation grew after a Youngstown man reported unauthorized activity on his credit card on Aug. 11. The fraudulent purchases totaled more than $1,000, according to investigators. Deputies said their investigation determined that Yonally had made the purchases.
Deputies Say the Search Turned Up More People’s Information
Investigators executed a search warrant at Yonally’s home on the morning of Aug. 18 and took her into custody. Deputies said they found evidence related to the fraud investigation along with additional credit and debit cards, names and Social Security numbers belonging to other people.
They also reported finding a counterfeit Florida driver’s license displaying Yonally’s photograph. Authorities said the search also uncovered methamphetamine, 1,4-butanediol and drug paraphernalia, resulting in additional charges unrelated to the alleged financial crimes.
She Faces 10 Counts Involving Other People’s Personal Information
Yonally faces criminal use of personal identification information belonging to a deceased person and grand theft involving $20,000 to $100,000 in connection with the investigation.
She was also charged with criminal use of personal identification information and 10 counts of unlawful possession of another person’s personal identification information.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office said its investigation is continuing. The charges against Yonally remain accusations and have not been proven in court.
SSI Payments After a Recipient Dies Should Not Be Withdrawn
Families handling a relative’s affairs after a death should make sure the Social Security Administration has received notice, particularly if benefit payments continue appearing afterward. Social Security says funeral homes generally report deaths to the agency, so relatives typically do not need to make a separate report.
The rules for Supplemental Security Income are specific. SSA guidance says an SSI payment is payable for the month in which the recipient dies, but payments for months after the month of death are not due and must be returned. If SSI is being deposited into a bank account, the bank should also be informed of the death, and SSA says money deposited after death should not be withdrawn.
Suspected misuse of Social Security numbers or benefits can be reported to the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. The OIG specifically accepts reports involving misuse of Social Security benefits, misuse of Social Security numbers and false information used to continue receiving benefits.