A Butler County woman is accused of illegally obtaining more than $6,000 in public assistance benefits.

The Pennsylvania Office of State Inspector General last week charged Alyssa B. McHugh, 24, of Forward Township, with a third-degree felony count of welfare fraud.

Between Aug. 1, 2018, and Jan. 31 of this year, according to authorities, McHugh fraudulently collected $6,161 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

The SNAP program, formerly known as food stamps, is federally funded and offers nutrition to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families each year.

The defendant allegedly failed to report her true household income by intentionally withholding employment income received from another household member, on benefit applications through the Butler County Department of Human Services.

The state inspector general's office charged her Sept. 30.

If convicted, McHugh faces a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000.

Additionally, she faces a mandatory disqualification period from the benefits program.

Online court records did not indicate if she has an attorney. She could not be reached for comment.

A preliminary hearing before District Judge William Fullerton in Butler was not immediately scheduled.