MAYPORT: A Clarion County woman is facing a felony charge following a Jefferson County investigation that determined she improperly received state assistance benefits.

According to a criminal complaint filed Feb. 3 in the office of Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline Mizerock, the Office of State Inspector General has charged Patricia A. Young, 37, of Mayport, with one count of fraudulent obtainment of public assistance, a third-degree felony related to food stamp and LIHEAP benefits.

The investigation began after the Jefferson County Assistance Office submitted an overpayment referral to the Office of State Inspector General on Oct. 16, 2024. Authorities allege that Young failed to disclose another individual living in her household, as well as that individual’s employment status, when applying for benefits. The issue came to light when the individual later applied for medical assistance while listing the same Brocious Road residence in Mayport.

The Department of Human Services forwarded the case to OSIG for further review, focusing on the period between Nov. 1, 2023, and April 5, 2024. During that time, investigators determined that Young applied for and received $1,299.69 in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefits.

Records indicate that Young signed a LIHEAP application on Dec. 21, 2023, in which she did not report the additional household member or his employment, despite being required to notify DHS of any changes to household composition or income. Investigators later concluded that Young would not have qualified for the assistance had the information been properly disclosed.

As part of the investigation, a Megan’s Law address check conducted on Dec. 8, 2025, confirmed that the other individual was registered at the Brocious Road address. The agent also verified the individual’s employment in Fairport, New York, spanning from March 16, 2021, through July 31, 2024.

The affidavit of probable cause states that Young unlawfully received the full $1,299.69 in LIHEAP benefits during the specified period.

Young is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 8 at Judge Mizerock’s office.