Program Integrity Division

(Formerly Welfare Fraud Prevention)

Making sure the people who really need help get the help they need.

The Welfare Fraud Program is a team effort involving the Alameda County's Social Service Agency Welfare Fraud Prevention Integrity Division (WFPD) and the District Attorney's Special Investigations Unit (DA/SIU) — sworn California peace officers, eligibility specialists, prosecutors, and administrative staff mobilized to make sure that eligible county families entitled to public assistance are able to get the assistance they need.

The Welfare Fraud Investigators and Inspectors also ensure those who aren't eligible for public assistance are denied access to funds.

Every year, thousands of children, women, and men in Alameda County receive aid through CalWORKs, Food Stamps, General Assistance, and In-Home Support Services. That's millions in public funds for our neighbors who need help now — families and individuals who must meet strict eligibility criteria to receive public assistance for the necessities of life.

By preventing, detecting, deterring, and prosecuting fraud for those who obtain public aid they are not entitled to, the Welfare Fraud Program protects the interests of those in genuine need and conserves taxpayer resources.

In 2002, the Program Integrity Division and the DA Special Investigations Unit saved and recovered over $42.6 million, when staff:

Detected more than 1400 fraudulent applications thus preventing over $19.4 million in fraudulent payments.
Recovered over $2.8 million in repayments from unqualified program participants and instituted over $19.1 million in recovery and restitution proceedings.
Adjusted monthly grant payments to current recipients, saving the people of Alameda County an average of $52,509 a month.
Referred for prosecution more than 1400 individuals for intentional welfare fraud.

Constant vigilance and proactive investigation are required to protect the public and the community interest.

Our staff protect the people who really need help. Welfare fraud is a crime against the most vulnerable in our society.

Report Welfare Fraud

Call 1.888.991.TIPS or 510.383.8777

Send us email: WFPD@acgov.org

Submit an anonymous online form

Or write to:

Alameda County Social Services Agency
Welfare Fraud Prevention Division
7751 Edgewater Drive
Oakland, CA 94621-3013

Comments

When an employee of the Welfare Fraud Prevention Division performs his or her duties in such a way that you believe it should be brought to the Division's attention then call or write a letter about the commendation. The same is also true when you believe that an employee has stepped outside the boundaries in the performance of their job. When a citizen's complaint is filed, a formal investigation will take place to determine if the actions in question are consistent with departmental policy and procedure. The complainant will be notified of the outcome of the investigation.

Case Highlights

Guilty Plea and a $77,000 Loss to the County

The recipient had been sanctioned for failure to comply with the CalWORKs employment program for over a year and was receiving aid for her child. Her Eligibility Worker referred the case to a PID investigator as she was wondering how the client was supporting herself. The client originally agreed to meet with the investigator, but not at her home. After several attempts to set up a meeting, the client reported that she had moved out of the county and requested that we stop her aid. This case was referred to the District Attorney's Office for further investigation due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding her sudden request for discontinuance.

The DA/SIU investigation uncovered the fact that the recipient had actually been living with the "absent parent" for over 10 years, and there was total ineligibility for assistance as her spouse was gainfully employed. The family had been living out of county during the last four years, even purchasing a home with a $49,000 down payment. The suspect was able to conceal this information from the county as she used a local mailing address and was employed under a false Social Security number. The total loss of benefits to the county was in excess of $77,000. She and her spouse pled guilty to felony welfare fraud and perjury.

Child Care Fraud Uncovered

DA/SIU Inspectors investigated a child-care payment case after receiving a referral from one of the county's contracting child-care agencies. The worker became suspicious when she noticed that one of her clients was listed as a child-care provider, while she was receiving a child-care subsidy for her own children due to her full time employment. The investigation revealed that for over a year, a group of three women obtained money and childcare services by submitting fraudulent employment documentation and/or by not providing the daycare services they were paid to perform. All three were acting in concert by fraudulently listing themselves as childcare providers and/or employers for one another and splitting the money between themselves. Two of the suspects have admitted their guilt and will be repaying the childcare agencies for the funds they were not entitled to. The total loss in childcare benefits was $48,000.