Us Code § 8148 - Forfeiture of benefits by convicted felons

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 8148 — Forfeiture of benefits by convicted felons, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 8148. Forfeiture of benefits by convicted felons

(a) Any individual convicted of a violation of section 1920 of title 18, or any other Federal or State criminal statute relating to fraud in the application for or receipt of any benefit under this subchapter or subchapter III of this chapter, shall forfeit (as of the date of such conviction) any entitlement to any benefit such individual would otherwise be entitled to under this subchapter or subchapter III for any injury occurring on or before the date of such conviction. Such forfeiture shall be in addition to any action the Secretary may take under section 8106 or 8129.

(b)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter (except as provided under paragraph (3)), no benefits under this subchapter or subchapter III of this chapter shall be paid or provided to any individual during any period during which such individual is confined in a jail, prison, or other penal institution or correctional facility, pursuant to that individual's conviction of an offense that constituted a felony under applicable law.

(2) Such individual shall not be entitled to receive the benefits forfeited during the period of incarceration under paragraph (1), after such period of incarceration ends.

(3) If an individual has one or more dependents as defined under section 8110(a), the Secretary of Labor may, during the period of incarceration, pay to such dependents a percentage of the benefits that would have been payable to such individual computed according to the percentages set forth in section 8133(a)(1) through (5).

(c) Notwithstanding the provision of section 552a of this title, or any other provision of Federal or State law, any agency of the United States Government or of any State (or political subdivision thereof) shall make available to the Secretary of Labor, upon written request, the names and Social Security account numbers of individuals who are confined in a jail, prison, or other penal institution or correctional facility under the jurisdiction of such agency, pursuant to such individuals' conviction of an offense that constituted a felony under applicable law, which the Secretary of Labor may require to carry out the provisions of this section.

(Added Pub. L. 103–333, title I, §101(a)(1), Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 2546; amended Pub. L. 105–247, §1, Oct. 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 1863.)


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 8148, Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 555, provided for a report to Congress by Secretary of Labor at beginning of each regular session covering work for preceding fiscal year under this subchapter, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 90–83, §1(69), Sept. 11, 1967, 81 Stat. 213.

Amendments

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–247 substituted "or receipt" for "a receipt".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 103–333, title I, §101(c), Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 2548, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending section 1920 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 30, 1994]. The amendments made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] shall apply to claims filed before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act, and shall apply only to individuals convicted after such date of enactment."

About This Section

5 U.S.C. § 8148 is part of Title 5 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 5 U.S.C. § 8148. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 8148

What does United States Code § 8148 cover?

Section 8148 ("Forfeiture of benefits by convicted felons") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 8148?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 8148" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 8148 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.