Report Public Assistance Fraud

Public Assistance programs (e.g., Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF cash assistance and publicly funded child care), are government programs for individuals and needy families that meet specified eligibility requirements. Different states and different programs have different qualifications which can be based on; income, family size, and the number of children in a household. In some instances, the system can be abused by people submitting fraudulent claims or not adhering to government regulations.

If you have witnessed public assistance abuse in Franklin County, you should report the fraud to Franklin County Job and Family Services.

24-hour Fraud hotline is available by calling
614-233-2095

Fraud Awareness

What is Public Assistance Fraud?

Public assistance fraud occurs when a person knowingly makes false statements, withholds information or fails to report information necessary to determine eligibility for benefits. The term “Public Assistance fraud” refers to the taking advantage of public assistance benefits improperly or illegally in order to receive assistance when it should not be given.

Examples Public Assistance Fraud

Altered or forged paperwork.Concealed, misrepresented or withheld eligibility information.

Concealed, misrepresented or withheld eligibility information.

Failed to report required changes.

Speak or write false or misleading statements.

Falsified household compositions and sizes.

Purposely not reporting income and/or employment updates.

Purposely not reporting other public assistance in which someone is receiving benefits.

Using false names to collect multiple benefits

Claimed public assistance benefits in multiple states when not authorized to do so.

Unauthorized purchase, selling or exchange of Food Assistance benefits

SNAP Eligible /
Ineligible Food Items

Eligible Food Items:

Breads & Cereals
Fruits & Vegetables
Meats, Fish & Poultry
Dairy Products
Seeds & Plants Which Produce Food to Eat

Ineligible Food Items:

Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
Pet foods
Soaps, paper products
Household supplies
Vitamins & Medicines
Hot Foods
Grooming Items
Cosmetics

Who Handles Fraud Complaints

Duties & Responsibilities of the Overpayment Recovery Staff

The Quality Support Services/Overpayment Recovery staff of Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services is empowered to prevent, detect, investigate and eliminate public assistance fraud and abuse directed at the programs of the department on behalf of the citizens of Franklin County.

The Overpayment Recovery staff is also responsible for the investigation of alleged persons suspected of defrauding agency programs (Medicaid, SNAP, OWF, PRC) and for enforcement of the rules and laws pertaining to public assistance as well as collection of any overpayment that may have occurred.

Fraud Detection

What Should be Reported to the Fraud Investigation Unit?

A variety of situations may be considered as fraud. Following are some frequent examples of fraud in public assistance that you should report:A variety of situations may be considered as fraud. Following are some frequent examples of fraud in public assistance that you should report:

Providing false income information to our agency

Reporting less income than they or another household member earns

Inflating the number of dependents

Applying for benefits under a false name or false social security number

Exchanging their Food Assistance benefits for cash, either at a location that accepts the (EBT) Electronic Benefit Transfer or with another individual

Know Before You Report

Legal Repercussions & Evidence

Before you start the reporting process, you should think about why you are considering reporting possible public assistance fraud. Public Assistance fraud is often a criminal offense, meaning if someone is found to be engaged in fraud, they could be sent to prison. You should only report suspected public assistance fraud if you truly believe the person you are reporting has committed fraud.

Making false or baseless reports for the purpose of retribution or emotional distress can lead to you being criminally investigated for false reporting.

What You Need To Report

If you are reporting income falsification; the name of the suspect, and the name and address of the employer will be beneficial.

When reporting hidden assets, you will want to provide the bank's name and address where the hidden assets are located, or potentially the address of a piece of property, if that is what is being hidden.

For unreported family compositions, the name of the individual who moved in or out, when the move took place, the relationship of the individual to the case, and the approximate age of the individual(s).

For Food Assistance trafficking, name of the suspect(s), location(s) of transactions, date(s) of transaction(s), and any other information you are able to report.