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Frequently Asked Questions
Simply put, public benefits fraud occurs when an individual uses fraudulent means to receive public assistance benefits to which they were not entitled. The legal citation for public benefits fraud can be found at 62 P.S. §481 and states that public benefits fraud occurs when an individual:
- Willfully makes a false statement or misrepresentation about their circumstances or fails to disclose a material fact regarding their eligibility status;
- Secures or attempts to secure public assistance or aids or abets another person receiving public assistance; and
- Has knowledge of the fraudulent act.
If found guilty of committing public benefits fraud, a defendant must make full restitution of the overpaid benefits, can receive a sentence that can includes community service, probation or incarceration, pay costs and fines to the court, and be disqualified for a period of time from public assistance benefits.
There are disqualification penalties in the Cash Assistance, Subsidized Child Care, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs. The length of a disqualification for public benefits fraud depends upon the program and the offense number (see chart below). Additionally, the disqualification from benefits for a public benefits fraud conviction only applies to the individual convicted of public benefits fraud. Any other remaining family members will not be disqualified from receiving public assistance benefits.
Disqualifications by Program | |||
Offense | Cash Assistance | Subsidized Child Care | SNAP |
1st Offense | 6 months | 6 months | 12 months |
2nd Offense | 12 months | 12 months | 24 months |
3rd Offense | permanent | permanent | permanent
|
- Individuals who want to report public benefits fraud can use one of three methods:
- Make an online complaint using the “Report Fraud” section of the OSIG’s website
- Call the OSIG’s toll free public assistance fraud tipline at 1-800-932-0582.
- Submit a complaint via U.S. Mail to the OSIG at:
Office of State Inspector General
555 Walnut Street, 7th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Yes! However, you are encouraged to identify yourself so that we may follow up with you, if necessary, to obtain additional information that would aid in our investigation.
Each complaint the OSIG receives is assigned for review and possible investigation. If the complaint is outside of the OSIG’s jurisdiction, a referral will be made to the appropriate agency.
We often receive inquiries about how long an investigation will last. Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to predict the length of an investigation. The time period is determined by the nature of the allegations, the number of interviews that need to be completed, and the number of investigations already opened in the office.
You may be contacted by OSIG investigative staff obtain additional information that would aid in our investigation, however, you will not be contacted at the end of the investigation to inform you of our findings.
Yes. OSIG has been designated a Criminal Justice Agency by the Office of Attorney General. OSIG agents file police criminal complaints when charging those public benefit crimes under the OSIG's jurisdiction.
No. During OSIG’s Field Investigation process, investigators will gather information to assist the caseworkers for the Department of Human Services (DHS) in making a determination of eligibility. However, OSIG does not make the final determination of whether or not someone is eligible for public assistance benefits.