Welfare Inspector General, Office of

Agency Web Site: http://www.owig.state.ny.us/

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 fraudulently receive payments from government. The agency is 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 $1.52 million for the Office. This is a decrease of $39,000 from the 2011-12 budget. The decrease primarily reflects a 2.5 percent reduction to State Operations spending.

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 7 FTEs for the Department, which is consistent with the 2011-12 Budget.

Major budget actions include:

• Reducing State operations costs by 2.5 percent through shared services and other efficiencies.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Human Services (PDF)

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/17/2012

Click for additional detailed appropriation tables