The right is really getting invested in the idea that fraud is rampant in Social Security's disability programs. The National Review has posted its Top Ten List of the most outrageous disability cheaters of the past year.
Actual fraud is typified by these stories, not the imagined conspiracies of doctors/lawyers/ALJ's that are so popular. SSA has nowhere near enough staff to pursue, document and resolve the fraud that permeates the program. SSI is much worse than T2, but OIG(at least in my area) has little/no interest in pursuing SSI fraud, regardless of the dollar amount or egregious nature of the offense.
The funny part is that fraud has been investigated and found to be just a very small percentage of the program expenditures (yes, SSA may need more resources to pursue that small percentage). The snake oil that some on the far right is attempting to sell the public is that it's a lot more, and they're determined not to let the facts get in the way.
Fraud is common. I wouldn't go as far as to say its rampant, but it is common. Again, because of the way SSA defines "fraud", it will not show up as often in reports.
B. FSF definitions
The difference between the terms “fraud” and “similar fault” is that “fraud” requires establishing intent to defraud, whereas “similar fault” does not. IMPORTANT: Administrative actions described in this subchapter only require a “similar fault” finding despite “fraud” and “similar fault” seen paired together. 1. Fraud
Fraud exists when a person either makes or causes to be made, with intent to defraud, a false statement or misrepresentation of a material fact, or conceals or fails to disclose a material fact for use in determining rights to Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. NOTE: A statement or information is “material” if it could influence SSA in determining rights to payments under the Social Security Act. Establishing “intent to defraud” generally limits fraud findings to specific cases where an involved party has pleaded guilty or been convicted of a criminal offense involving fraud. 2. Similar fault
Similar fault occurs when a person knowingly makes an incorrect or incomplete statement that is material to the determination or knowingly conceals information that is material to the determination. NOTE: The definition of “knowingly” is furnishing information that a person knows is false or incomplete.
That's how SSA gets to side step labeling something as fraud.
ANON 12:53--you say fraud has been investigated? By whom?--I worked for SSA for over 35 years and it was never given a priority. OIG left it entirely up to the field offices to do the complete investigation of allegations and wrap it up with a bow before they even looked at it, then it was usually summarily ignored. ANON 8:23 has it on the money.
I think the far right loonies think that fraud in the disability programs is rampant, because they don't like the very idea that some people are not able bodied anymore through no fault of their own and they get a check and yet the far right would apply for benefits anyway, but then they view themselves as holier than thou... If there were facts as to how much fraud there was, the far right twerps would ignore it and scream bloody murder and say it was most of the program in question...
Disability is the 8th most populous state and the fraudsters are its undocumented aliens.
Whenever someone complains that they know people committing SSA disability fraud just tell them to call the fraud hotline and report it. Shuts them up every time.
Those are the bigger ones, imagine all the nickel and diming going on daily, lol.
ReplyDeleteActual fraud is typified by these stories, not the imagined conspiracies of doctors/lawyers/ALJ's that are so popular. SSA has nowhere near enough staff to pursue, document and resolve the fraud that permeates the program. SSI is much worse than T2, but OIG(at least in my area) has little/no interest in pursuing SSI fraud, regardless of the dollar amount or egregious nature of the offense.
ReplyDeleteLeft, right, middle - no matter your political views, cheating others is not good karma!
ReplyDelete10 out of over 10 million; that's their case?
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to disability as the eighth most populous state?
Giggle.
Yep, only 10 people...
DeleteGiggle.
The funny part is that fraud has been investigated and found to be just a very small percentage of the program expenditures (yes, SSA may need more resources to pursue that small percentage). The snake oil that some on the far right is attempting to sell the public is that it's a lot more, and they're determined not to let the facts get in the way.
ReplyDeleteFraud is common. I wouldn't go as far as to say its rampant, but it is common. Again, because of the way SSA defines "fraud", it will not show up as often in reports.
ReplyDeleteB. FSF definitions
The difference between the terms “fraud” and “similar fault” is that “fraud” requires establishing intent to defraud, whereas “similar fault” does not.
IMPORTANT: Administrative actions described in this subchapter only require a “similar fault” finding despite “fraud” and “similar fault” seen paired together.
1. Fraud
Fraud exists when a person either makes or causes to be made, with intent to defraud, a false statement or misrepresentation of a material fact, or conceals or fails to disclose a material fact for use in determining rights to Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
NOTE: A statement or information is “material” if it could influence SSA in determining rights to payments under the Social Security Act.
Establishing “intent to defraud” generally limits fraud findings to specific cases where an involved party has pleaded guilty or been convicted of a criminal offense involving fraud.
2. Similar fault
Similar fault occurs when a person knowingly makes an incorrect or incomplete statement that is material to the determination or knowingly conceals information that is material to the determination.
NOTE: The definition of “knowingly” is furnishing information that a person knows is false or incomplete.
That's how SSA gets to side step labeling something as fraud.
ANON 12:53--you say fraud has been investigated? By whom?--I worked for SSA for over 35 years and it was never given a priority. OIG left it entirely up to the field offices to do the complete investigation of allegations and wrap it up with a bow before they even looked at it, then it was usually summarily ignored. ANON 8:23 has it on the money.
ReplyDeleteI think the far right loonies think that fraud in the disability programs is rampant, because they don't like the very idea that some people are not able bodied anymore through no fault of their own and they get a check and yet the far right would apply for benefits anyway, but then they view themselves as holier than thou... If there were facts as to how much fraud there was, the far right twerps would ignore it and scream bloody murder and say it was most of the program in question...
ReplyDeleteDisability is the 8th most populous state and the fraudsters are its undocumented aliens.
ReplyDeleteWhenever someone complains that they know people committing SSA disability fraud just tell them to call the fraud hotline and report it. Shuts them up every time.
actually, when someone says they know someone committing disability fraud, I just ask them what the name is and I report it myself.
ReplyDelete