Welfare Inspector General, Office of
skip breadcrumbs| All amounts are in dollars |
| Category | Available 2007-08 |
Appropriations Recommended 2008-09 |
Change From 2007-08 |
Reappropriations Recommended 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Operations | 1,337,000 | 1,597,000 | 260,000 | 0 |
| Total | 1,337,000 | 1,597,000 | 260,000 | 0 |
| Full-Time Equivalent Positions (FTE) |
| Program | 2007-08 Estimated FTEs 03/31/08 |
2008-09 Estimated FTEs 03/31/09 |
FTE Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welfare Inspector General, Office of the | |||
| General Fund | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Special Revenue Funds - Other | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 10 | 0 |
Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/22/08.
Mission
The Office of Welfare Inspector General was established in 1992 to prevent, investigate, and prosecute welfare fraud, waste, abuse and illegal acts involving social services programs at both the State and local levels. The Office investigates and when appropriate prosecutes welfare recipients who are dishonestly receiving benefits for which they are not eligible. It also investigates instances in which providers of Medicaid, day care or other social services are fraudulently receiving payments from government. The agency is also responsible for investigating any failure by State and local officials to investigate and prosecute such fraud and abuse within their jurisdiction. Furthermore, it is charged with recommending policies to prevent and to detect social services fraud, and then to monitor the implementation of these recommendations.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Office works closely with various State agencies in support of fraud investigations. The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance provides welfare program data and information concerning the application of program rules and regulations. Local social services districts assist the Office with identifying the amount of money fraudulently obtained from different welfare programs. The Attorney General assists the Office with the prosecution of those alleged to be involved in fraudulent activity. The Office also works with the Office of Children and Family Services on cases involving adult homes, and other community programs, as well as with the Department of Health and the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General on Medicaid-related cases.
Budget Highlights
The Executive Budget recommends $1.6 million All Funds ($420,000 General Fund; $1.2 million Other Funds) for the Office of Welfare Inspector General. This is an increase of $260,000 ($12,000 General Fund increase; $248,000 Other Funds increase) from the 2007-08 Budget. This change primarily reflects inflation and fringe benefit costs.
The Office will have a workforce of ten positions for 2008-09, unchanged from the 2007-08 Budget.
2008-09 Executive Budget — Agency Presentation
Welfare Inspector General, Office of (PDF)