Chemung County Commissioner of Human Services Jennifer Stimson and Chemung County Legislator Rodney J. Strange are pleased to announce the very positive results of the work of the Welfare Fraud Unit at the Department of Social Services. Since the addition of two part-time fraud investigators, beginning in April of 2016, to its Special Investigations Unit there have been increased fraud referrals and field visits, which has enhanced cost avoidance.
“These officers have ensured that the tax dollars are available for use by those in our County that truly need our support. For that, we are extremely thankful,” says Jennifer Stimson.
The Special Investigations Unit is comprised of both County and Elmira Police Department personnel. This relationship has led to countless arrests and greater cost savings to our county. The Special Investigations Unit is responsible for receiving referrals and/or complaints of benefit fraud and investigating every referral. Types of benefits include Temporary Assistance, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Medical Assistance and Day Care. For the period from 2013-2017, the average cost saving per calendar year is $4.2 million.
“Welfare fraud costs every taxpayer in Chemung County millions of dollars each year,” Legislator Rodney J. Strange said. “I have always supported the Welfare Fraud Division and increased funding to help fight those who abuse the system. For every dollar spent on finding waste, fraud and abuse, taxpayers are saved more than twenty times that amount,” Strange said. “We must continue to seek those that choose to defraud the hard working residents of Chemung County,” Strange concluded.
For the past ten years, DSS has contracted with the EPD for one full-time police investigator. Due to its success, DSS expanded the contract to include the two additional part-time officers in 2016. The data below shows the increase in the savings achieved by our Community due to the prevention of public funds distributed to those that do not have a demonstrated need. “Our partnership with the City of Elmira Police Department through their experience in many of the investigation referral areas has been a significant enhancement to the program By conducting field visits, the Special Investigations Unit is able to verify items such as applicants’ address and household composition. and has driven exceptional results. We look forward to maintaining this relationship moving forward,” noted Mike Krusen.
By conducting field visits, the Special Investigations Unit is able to verify items such as applicants’ address and household composition.
Cost Avoidance indicates the amount of benefits that were either discontinued or decreased as a result of actions taken by the Special Investigations Unit. For the period of 2013-2017, the average cost saving per calendar year is $4.2 Million. Based on the first six months of 2018, the Special Investigation Unit cost avoidance is trending at $5.57 Million.