A Traverse City man is being charged with welfare fraud after allegedly receiving nearly $22,000 in food and medical assistance under false pretense.

Matthew D. Barber, 34, of 2802 Holiday Pine, Traverse City, was arraigned in 86th District Court Friday before Chief Judge Michael J. Haley on a charge of fraud-welfare failure to inform $500 or more. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, July 6 at 10:45 a.m. He is free on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.

According to the felony complaint on file with court records, Barber and his wife allegedly signed an application to receive food and medical public assistance benefits offered through the state on May 14, 2002. At the time, the couple were living in Elmwood Township. Part of the application involved a requirement for the Barbers to acknowledge their responsibility to report changes to their financial circumstances within 10 days. However, Barber and his wife allegedly failed to report a change in circumstance when he began receiving unearned income from Veterans Affairs disability benefits and other federal government assistance.

As a result, the couple allegedly received $2,792 in food assistance and $19,114.13 in medical assistance from the state that they were not entitled to.
If found guilty on the charge, Barber faces a maximum penalty of up to four years in prison and or a $5,000 fine. His wife is also expected to be charged, according to court documents.