North Jersey Woman Stole Dead Mother’s Social Security Benefits For 10 Years

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A Passaic County woman has admitted to stealing nearly $150,000 from her dead mother’s social security benefits, according to officials.

Joan Charnecky, 60, of West Milford, pleaded guilty on Sept. 10 to theft of public money charges.

According to court documents, Charnecky’s mother collected widow’s insurance benefits from Social Security. The money was electronically sent to her mother monthly, according to officials.

When her mother died in 2012, Charnecky did not inform the Social Security Administration and continued to collect the widow’s insurance benefits for her own personal use.

Between 2012 and 2022, Charnecky withdrew roughly $144,768 from her dead mother’s Social Security benefits.

Following her guilty plea, Charnecky now faces up to 10 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.

She is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 21., 2026.