Her Mom Died, however Extra Than $24,000 in SSI Stored Coming. Deputies Say She Accessed the Cash

A Florida lady is dealing with a string of felony costs after investigators stated greater than $24,000 in Supplemental Safety Revenue advantages continued to be paid after her mom’s loss of life.

Brandlyn Yonally, 43, of Youngstown, was arrested Aug. 18 following an investigation by the Bay County Sheriff’s Workplace into suspected id theft and misuse of Social Safety advantages.

Authorities say Yonally’s mom died in August 2024, however her loss of life was by no means reported to the Social Safety Administration, in accordance with WJHG.

Investigators say the cash was accessed by ATM withdrawals, Money App and Bay County Jail inmate accounts. The case later expanded to incorporate one other alleged fraud sufferer and proof recovered throughout a search of Yonally’s dwelling.

Extra Than $24,000 Was Paid After Her Mom’s Loss of life

The Bay County Sheriff’s Workplace stated its Prison Investigations Division acquired details about Yonally in April 2026 and commenced investigating suspected id theft and fraud.

Deputies decided that Yonally’s mom had died in August 2024. Investigators say the Social Safety Administration had not been notified of the loss of life and greater than $24,000 in SSI advantages continued to be paid afterward.

Authorities accuse Yonally of accessing these funds by a number of strategies, together with ATM withdrawals and Money App transactions. Investigators additionally stated a number of the cash was accessed by Bay County Jail inmate accounts.

The investigation grew after a Youngstown man reported unauthorized exercise on his bank card on Aug. 11. The fraudulent purchases totaled greater than $1,000, in accordance with investigators. Deputies stated their investigation decided that Yonally had made the purchases.

Deputies Say the Search Turned Up Extra Folks’s Info

Investigators executed a search warrant at Yonally’s dwelling on the morning of Aug. 18 and took her into custody. Deputies stated they discovered proof associated to the fraud investigation together with extra credit score and debit playing cards, names and Social Safety numbers belonging to different individuals.

In addition they reported discovering a counterfeit Florida driver’s license displaying Yonally’s {photograph}. Authorities stated the search additionally uncovered methamphetamine, 1,4-butanediol and drug paraphernalia, leading to extra costs unrelated to the alleged monetary crimes. 

She Faces 10 Counts Involving Different Folks’s Private Info

Yonally faces felony use of non-public identification info belonging to a deceased individual and grand theft involving $20,000 to $100,000 in reference to the investigation.

She was additionally charged with felony use of non-public identification info and 10 counts of illegal possession of one other individual’s private identification info.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office stated its investigation is constant. The costs towards Yonally stay accusations and haven’t been confirmed in court docket.

SSI Funds After a Recipient Dies Ought to Not Be Withdrawn

Households dealing with a relative’s affairs after a loss of life ought to be sure the Social Safety Administration has acquired discover, significantly if profit funds proceed showing afterward. Social Security says funeral houses usually report deaths to the company, so kin sometimes don’t must make a separate report.

The foundations for Supplemental Safety Revenue are particular. SSA steerage says an SSI fee is payable for the month by which the recipient dies, however funds for months after the month of loss of life will not be due and should be returned. If SSI is being deposited right into a checking account, the financial institution must also be told of the loss of life, and SSA says cash deposited after loss of life shouldn’t be withdrawn.

Suspected misuse of Social Safety numbers or advantages might be reported to the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. The OIG particularly accepts studies involving misuse of Social Safety advantages, misuse of Social Safety numbers and false info used to proceed receiving advantages.