State Inspector General Charges 103 with Public Assistance Fraud in July, August 2024

​Harrisburg, PA- The Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) filed public assistance fraud charges against 103 individuals in July and August of 2024. The restitution owed to the Commonwealth in these cases totals $680,303. Additional cost savings will be realized because the defendants will be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits in the programs they allegedly defrauded.

"Each of these charges is a reminder of our responsibility to protect the integrity of the Commonwealth's resources," said State Inspector General Lucas M. Miller. "We remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure that public assistance benefits are used as intended-to support those who are truly in need. I am proud that the funds recovered will be returned to help individuals across Pennsylvania."

OSIG investigates and prosecutes public assistance fraud and conducts collection activities for the public benefits programs administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS).

"The Shapiro Administration is committed to protecting Pennsylvania's public assistance programs, which are a lifeline for people in difficult situations. DHS works diligently to ensure the benefits we administer remain available to those who deserve them, and we are proud to partner with OSIG every day to refer suspected public assistance fraud and maintain the responsible stewardship of these essential programs," said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh.

During July and August 2024, OSIG filed felony charges of defrauding the public assistance system against a total of 102 individuals and misdemeanor charges against one separate individual. It is alleged that these individuals either trafficked their public assistance or misrepresented their household circumstances and fraudulently received taxpayer-funded public benefits to which they were not entitled.

If convicted, the maximum penalty defendants face for public assistance fraud is seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000. In the case of SNAP, Cash Assistance, or Subsidized Day Care fraud, defendants also face a mandatory disqualification period from the benefits program they allegedly defrauded.

All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

OSIG works in close coordination with DHS, which administers Pennsylvania's public assistance programs, to investigate referrals made by DHS for potential fraud or abuse of programs. Referrals come through concerns flagged through applications and questionable use of benefits observed by DHS or from tips made by the public. Anonymously report suspected public assistance fraud on the OSIG websiteor call the Public Assistance Fraud Tipline: 1-800-932-0582.

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