Nearly two dozen people from Orange and Dutchess counties have been accused in a welfare fraud sweep.

Authorities say 23 people stole a combined $220,000 in welfare benefits.

Suspects were rounded up Wednesday and charged with welfare fraud and grand larceny for allegedly lying about their income to get food stamps, welfare checks, free child care and more. Three people wanted in the sweep are still being sought by authorities.

This is the seventh sweep in Orange County in recent years. Orange County District Attorney Dave Hoovler says his office has busted nearly 200 people for welfare fraud since 2014, thanks to a county special investigations unit that routinely checks individual cases for red flags. The work has so far recovered more than $500,000.