About the Office
OI conducts and coordinates investigative activity related to fraud,
waste, abuse, and mismanagement in SSA programs and operations including
wrongdoing by individuals such as applicants, grantees, or contractors
perpetrating criminal activity against SSA programs and operations.
OI also investigates allegations of employee misconduct in the performance
of their official duties.
This office serves as the OIG liaison to the Department of Justice
on all matters relating to investigations of SSA programs and personnel,
and the office reports to the Attorney General when OIG has reason
to believe Federal criminal law has been violated.
OI works with other investigative agencies and organizations on
special projects and assignments.
In support of its mission, OI carries out and maintains an internal
quality assurance system.
Field Divisions
| Headquarters is located in Baltimore, Maryland.
OI is divided into Field Divisions with offices in approximately
60 cities.
|
The Field Divisions are:
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Denver
Kansas City
Los Angeles
New York
Philadelphia
Seattle |
 |
Programs
Cooperative Disability
Investigations
Background
Established in 1998, the CDI program is a joint effort among
Federal and State agencies to effectively pool resources for the
purpose of preventing fraud in SSA's Title II and Title XVI disability
programs and related Federal and state programs.
SSA's Office of Operations and the Office of the Inspector General
(OIG) manage the CDI Program. At OI Headquarters, the CDI National
Coordinator is responsible for updating operating policy and coordinating
activities connected with this major anti-fraud initiative.
As of FY 2009, there are 20 CDI Units in operation to combat wide-spread
disability fraud. Further expansion above the current FY 2009
level (20 teams) is contingent upon available funding.
In the field, CDI Units are typically comprised of one OIG Special
Agent (Team Leader), two Investigators on detail from State or
local law enforcement agencies (LEA), and one SSA Management Support
Specialist or equivalent position and one DDS analyst or examiner.
Mission
The mission of the CDI program is to obtain evidence of material
fact sufficient to resolve questions of fraud in SSA's Title II
and Title XVI disability programs.
This effort supports the Agency's strategic goal of ensuring superior
stewardship of SSA programs and resources by preventing fraudulent
and erroneous payments and improving debt management; increasing
the accuracy of earnings records; strengthening the integrity
of the Social Security Number; efficiently managing Agency finances
and assets, and effectively linking resources to performance outcomes.
These measures are also designed to ensure public confidence in
the integrity of SSA's programs and operations. Mission objectives
are accomplished through the combined skills, cooperation and
specialized knowledge of OIG, SSA, DDS and State or local LEA
personnel in combating disability fraud.
Objectives
Relying on the combined skills and specialized knowledge of the
Social Security Administration's OIG, Operations, Disability Programs,
DDS, and State and Local Law Enforcement, CDI Units.
Providing the DDS with a Report of Investigation (ROI) and investigative
evidence, e.g., video surveillance evidence, for use in making
timely and accurate disability eligibility determinations.
Seeking criminal and/or civil prosecution of applicants and beneficiaries
and referring cases for consideration of Civil Monetary Penalties
and administrative sanctions when appropriate.
Identifying, investigating, and seeking prosecution of doctors,
lawyers, interpreters, and other third parties who facilitate
and promote disability fraud.
Fugitive Felon Program
The Social Security Act prohibits payment of benefits to people
who are fleeing to avoid prosecution for a crime which is a felony;
are fleeing to avoid custody or confinement after conviction for
a crime which is a felony; or are violating a condition of probation
or parole imposed under federal or state law. The Act also prohibits
some individuals from serving as representative payees. The Act
further requires that SSA exchange information about fugitive
felons and probation or parole violators with law enforcement.
Law enforcement agencies help SSA by sharing information about
fugitive felons, parole violators, and probation violators with
SSA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Participating law
enforcement agencies provide SSA with information about individuals
who have outstanding felony arrest warrants or who are violating
conditions of probation or parole imposed under Federal or State
law. SSA then compares this information to its computer files
of individuals receiving Title XVI and Title VIII payments, Title
II benefits, and/or serving as representative payees. When there
is a match, SSA sends the matched item to OIG who:
verifies the identity of the individual;
ensures that the warrants for individuals who are wanted for escape
from law enforcement, flight from prosecution or confinement,
a probation violation, or a parole violation are still active;
works with local law enforcement to attempt to locate the person;
and
pursuant to an SSA policy change effective April 1, 2009, refers
to SSA only the following cases for suspension of benefits or
removal from representative payee status: cases in which a person
has an unsatisfied felony arrest warrant for escape or flight
to avoid prosecution or confinement and cases in which the person
is wanted for a probation violation, or a parole violation. SSA
only uses the unsatisfied felony arrest warrant cases for the
removal from representative payee status.
Exchange of Information
In addition to matching the law enforcement data received pursuant
to the matching program, federal law authorizes OIG and SSA to
release information back to law enforcement regarding beneficiaries
and recipients who have unsatisfied felony arrest warrants or
who are violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under
federal or state law. The information subject to release is the
current address, Social Security number, and photograph (if available),
of individuals receiving Title XVI or VIII payments or Title II
benefits, and/or serving as representative payees.
Law enforcement officials who participate in SSA's Fugitive Felon
Program may contact the nearest SSA OIG office or any Social Security
office for this information. Requests to SSA including OIG must
be made in writing on the law enforcement agency letterhead and
include the following:
the name of the person being sought;
other identifying information, such as date of birth and Social
Security number;
confirmation that the person is fleeing to avoid prosecution for
a crime which is a felony; fleeing to avoid custody or confinement
after conviction for a crime which is a felony; or is violating
a condition of probation or parole imposed under federal
or state law; and
certification that the requesting official's duties include the
locating or apprehending the person.
Participation in the Fugitive Felon Program
Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies interested
in participating in a matching program for the purpose of identifying
fugitive felons, parole violators, and probation violators, should
contact the nearest SSA OIG office or the SSA regional fugitive
felon coordinator. Contact any Social Security office for the
name and phone number of the coordinator for your area.
Performance Results
|
Calendar Year 2008 Investigative Results
|
| Allegations Received |
121,020 |
| Cases Opened |
9,468 |
| Cases Closed |
10,068 |
| Arrests |
1,555 |
| Indictments/Informations |
1,225 (929 Indictments, 296 Informations) |
| Criminal Prosecutions |
2,006 (320 Pre Trial Diversions,
1,686 Sentencings |
| Civil/CMPs |
432 |
www.socialsecurity.gov
