An Arizona man allegedly buried his dead 97-year-old mother in the back yard — and told no one, so that he could continue raking in the woman’s Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits, local police said.

Daniel Shannon, 66, of San Tan Valley, was busted Wednesday for allegedly hiding the corpse of Leonie Shannon, who hadn’t been seen since December, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Cops were called to the home April 5 after someone became concerned about the whereabouts of the woman — who was under her son’s care.

At the time, Daniel Shannon told investigators that his mother walked away from the home on Dec. 21, and it wasn’t the first time the nonagenarian had taken off. The woman had just started receiving Veterans Affairs benefits, he claimed, and he didn’t want to report her missing in case she returned home.

But his story kept changing, police said.

Finally, when detectives questioned him Wednesday, he admitted his mom passed away on Dec. 21 — and instead of reporting it, he buried her in the back yard so he could continue receiving her Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits, cops said.

He claimed he needed the benefits to help pay for the patent on his “invention.” Cops did not specify what that invention was.

Authorities obtained a search warrant, and detectives discovered a body in the back yard. The medical examiner will positively identify the remains and determine a cause of death.

Daniel Shannon was charged with fraud and improper disposal of a body.

Cops are continuing to investigate, and said he could potentially face additional charges.