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 persons dishonestly receiving benefits for which they are not entitled. It also investigates instances in which providers of Medicaid, day care or other social services fraudulently receive payments from the 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, the Office 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.

Organization and Staffing

The Office is headed by the Welfare Inspector General, who is appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Welfare Inspector General’s statewide operations are administered from New York City with a field office in Albany.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2018 Executive Budget recommends $1.3 million in All Funds ($1.2 million in General Fund; $100,000 in Federal Funds) and a workforce of 7 FTEs, unchanged from FY 2017.

Program Highlights

The Office annually receives hundreds of complaints about alleged fraud, waste and abuse that originate from citizens and other governmental agencies. The Office also generates investigations on its own initiative. Fraud investigations result in savings for all levels of government. Recovered funding is repaid to the appropriate programs.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/17/2017