NCDSS Home |
|||
 |
The Fraud
Program is a team effort involving the Nassau County's Department of Social
Service Quality Assurance Division and the District Attorney's Office working
together to prevent, detect and deter fraud and prosecute individuals who
have obtained assistance they were not entitled to.
What is Welfare Fraud?Welfare fraud
is making a false or misleading statement or committing an act intended
to mislead, misrepresent, conceal or withhold facts concerning your eligibility
for assistance. Some examples are:
Welfare fraud is a crime and can result in imprisonment, probation, repayment, recoupment or becoming ineligible for assistance for a certain length of time. How Do We Stop Welfare Fraud?Most
people who receive benefits have a legitimate need for assistance.
Unfortunately, a few people intentionally obtain monies they are not entitled
to. There are a number of different programs in place to help ensure
that only those who need help get the help they need. They
include:
Automated Finger Imaging SystemThe
system is used to prevent and determine if someone in New York State is
receiving assistance in two or more counties at the same time.
Front End Detection System (FEDS) and Eligibility Verification Review (EVR)These are two
systems designed to prevent and detect fraud before a case is opened.
Investigators conduct home visits to ensure the eligibility of an applicant.
Fugitive Felon MatchThis
system matches the database of individuals on assistance with the Criminal
Justice database of persons known to be fugitive felons or violators of
probation or parole.
Prison MatchThis
system matches the database of those individuals in receipt of assistance
with the Department of Criminal Justice and the Department of Correctional
Services who are in county jails and state prisons.
Interstate MatchThis
system is used to detect individuals who are receiving benefits in more
than one state at the same time.
Resource File Integration (RFI)This is a search
comparing an applicant's or recipient's information against various state
and federal agency databases containing income information.
How to Report Welfare FraudYou
can help reduce welfare fraud. If you know or suspect someone is
fraudulently receiving public assistance, Medicaid, food stamps or day
care, you can:
Nassau County Department of Social Services
You do not need to give us your name. But, if you can give us your name and a daytime phone number, it would allow us to contact you if we need clarification of your complaint or more information. When you call or write, include as much information as possible. Please include:
Due to client confidentiality laws, we cannot advise you as to the outcome of an investigation. But, be assured that any allegation of fraud will be investigated. How to Report Medicaid Provider FraudIf you believe
a Medicaid provider is committing fraud, you can call 1-800-541-2831
or 1-518-486-9057, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm.
How to Report Social Security FraudIf you believe
someone is committing Social Security fraud, you can call 1-800-269-0271 Monday
through Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm.
Examples of FraudAn application
was made for Family Assistance by a man and woman with a common child.
They received public assistance and food stamps for themselves and their
child. The agency learned that they did not have custody of their
child and that their child was not in their household. The couple
was arrested and pled guilty to welfare fraud 5th degree. They
were sentenced to 3 years probation, were ordered to pay restitution of
$4,351 and were disqualified from receiving Public Assistance and Food
Stamps for 12 months.
A Resource File Integration Match revealed that a recipient was employed. An investigation was conducted to verify when she started working and if she was still employed. Although the recipient had several contacts with the agency during the time period she was discovered to be employed, she never reported her employment to the agency. An administrative disqualification hearing was held. She was disqualified from receiving public assistance and food stamps for a period of 12 months. She was also ordered to pay $1,840.00 in restitution to the Department of Social Services. |
||
| What
is Welfare Fraud?
Automated Finger Imaging System Front End Detection System and Eligibility Verification Review How to report Medicaid Provider Fraud |
|||
|
|
Nassau County Home | DSS Home | Directory | What We Do | Links | | Abandoned Infant Protection Act | Adult Services | AIDS Services Coordinator | | Child Protective Services | Child Support Enforcement | Community Outreach | Day Care | Deadbeat Parent List | | Domestic Violence | Emergency Services | Employment for Temporary Assistance Clients | | Food Stamps | Fraud | Home Energy Assistance Program | Housing and Homeless Prevention | | Human Resources | Information, Resource and Referral Services | Medicaid | | Medicaid Managed Care | Services to Children and Families | | Temporary Assistance | Volunteer Services | | Juvenile Detention Center | |
||
Falsely reporting that a parent is absent from the household.