If you recently started receiving Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, you may find that your relief is followed by sudden worry about possibly receiving a Social Security Disability investigation notice.
Perhaps you have questions about what constitutes an investigation and who conducts it. That is why we have a team of experts versed in SSD benefits and investigations that are ready to help you with all of your questions and concerns.
Simply contact us today for immediate assistance! We also created this guide to help you better understand how a Social Security Disability investigation works. Or, complete this FREE evaluation form. There are no upfront costs to work with us. We only receive a fee directly from the Social Security Administration if you win your disability case – no out-of-pocket expense for you!
3 Key Elements of a Social Security Disability Investigation
We created this guide to help you better understand how a Social Security Disability investigation works. If concerned about a disability benefits investigation, remember these three key elements in the process:
- The Office of the Inspector General
- The categories of fraud
- The actions that constitute fraud, waste, and abuse of disability benefits
Office of the Inspector General
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at the Social Security Administration (SSA) was established in March 1995. The purpose of the OIG is to:
- Oversee efficiency and effectiveness of administration of SSA programs.
- Prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in SSA programs.
- Inform SSA and Congress about agency problems and recommend corrections.
The OIG works alongside the Office of Anti-Fraud Programs (OAFP) and Disability Determination Services in the Cooperative Disability Investigation (CDI) program to effectively combat cases of fraud, waste, and abuse.
These programs exist to ensure that the SSA is able to provide adequate aid to those in dire need. This is why the OIG takes responsibility for intensely investigating all potential instances of fraud and aggressively prosecuting individuals who commit fraud.
What is Fraud?
There are many types of fraud, waste, and abuse that is investigated by the SSA. The OIG specializes in cases where an individual receiving benefits performs one or multiple fraudulent actions:
- Conceals a new marriage or assets from the SSA.
- Receives benefits for a child not under their case.
- Conceals work activity while receiving disability benefits.
- Fails to notify SSA of the death of a beneficiary and continues to receive and cash the checks of the deceased.
- Resides overseas while receiving SSI.
- Misuses benefits when acting as a Representative Payee.
It is important to note that not all allegations lead to OIG investigations. The list above helps us to define possible examples of how individuals receiving benefits may commit fraud, but it is not entirely comprehensive of all forms of fraud against the SSA.
You can avoid accidentally committing fraud by staying in communication with the SSA about any major life changes that may impact your benefits.
Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
Listed below is every identifiable form of fraud, waste, or abuse, as defined by the SSA.
- Making false statements on claims.
- Concealing facts or events which affect eligibility for benefits.
- Misuse of benefits by a representative.
- SSN misuse involving people with links to terrorist groups or activities.
- Buying or selling counterfeit or legitimate social security cards.
- Crimes involving SSA employees.
- Scams involving the impersonation of an SSA employee.
- Bribery of a SSA employee.
- Fraud or misuse of grant or contracting funds.
- Standards of conduct violations.
- Worker’s compensation fraud.
The OIG takes cases of fraud extremely seriously in order to protect those in real need of SSA assistance. If you suspect someone has committed fraud, you can report it to the OIG through their website.
We Can Help You Avoid Disability Fraud!
Dealing with Social Security Disability investigation can be scary, especially if you know that you have not committed fraud! Let our team of trained experts help you with your case. We have experience where it matters the most.
Our team of experts knows how to guide you through communications with the SSA to avoid a fraud investigation, to keep your case clear of fraudulent activity, and to help you continue receiving disability benefits after being approved.
– Do you know a friend or family member that needs help with their disability application? Tell them to contact us today to receive assistance from a trained team member on the application process!