Harrisburg, PA - The Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) filed public assistance fraud charges against 87 individuals during March 2024. The restitution owed to the Commonwealth in these cases totals $345,405. Additional cost savings will be realized because the defendants will be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits in the programs they allegedly defrauded.
"These charges highlight the Commonwealth’s commitment to preserving public trust and ensuring that public assistance reaches those in need.” said State Inspector General Lucas M. Miller. “I am proud of the OSIG law enforcement personnel who work every day to help make sure that these programs operate with the utmost integrity."
OSIG investigates and prosecutes public assistance fraud and conducts collection activities for the public benefits programs administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS).
"Pennsylvania’s public assistance programs are a lifeline for people in difficult situations, and we must protect these resources for those they exist to help,” said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “We work closely with OSIG who investigates concerns of potential fraud and abuse flagged by DHS, and this partnership is integral to maintaining the integrity of these essential services. We are committed to responsible stewardship of Pennsylvania's public assistance programs so they can continue to provide life-sustaining assistance and support for our family, friends, and neighbors experiencing difficult times, and our partnership makes that possible.”
During March 2024, OSIG filed felony charges of defrauding the public assistance system against a total of 82 individuals and misdemeanor charges against five separate individuals. It is alleged that these individuals either trafficked their public assistance or misrepresented their household circumstances and fraudulently received taxpayer-funded public benefits to which they were not entitled.
If convicted, the maximum penalty defendants face for public assistance fraud is seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000. In the case of SNAP, Cash Assistance, or Subsidized Day Care fraud, defendants also face a mandatory disqualification period from the benefits program they allegedly defrauded.
All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
OSIG works in close coordination with DHS, which administers Pennsylvania’s public assistance programs, to investigate referrals made by DHS for potential fraud or abuse of programs. Referrals come through concerns flagged through applications and questionable use of benefits observed by DHS or from tips made by the public. Anonymously report suspected welfare fraud on the OSIG website or call the Welfare Fraud Tipline: 1-800-932-0582.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jonathan P Hendrickson - 7172658396
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