Two Florida women who had been claims representatives for the Social Security Administration have been charged with taking bribes for expediting or somehow modifying the process for obtaining Social Security benefits. Most of my readers know this but claims reps have no ability to approve or disapprove a disability claim and this may not have even involved disability benefits anyway. Claims reps are important in the process but they have little discretion. I don't understand how they could have modified the process for obtaining benefits in any meaningful way. I don't know why anyone would have been tempted to bribe a claims rep.
4 comments:
Actually a claims rep can approve a disability claim. All you have to do is input the codes and the system would allow you to proceed. Granted, if the case gets reviewed its going to set off red flags but you are wrong to say that claims reps do not have the ability to approve a dib claim immediately.
In fact, we do it all the time via application of collateral estoppel without DDS ever being involved.
Unfortunately, dishonest folks like these two rocket scientists think they are smarter than the system. They always get caught, and now as a consolation prize they get to have up close and person experience being big bubba's girlfriends.
Morons....
Definitely click on the link to read the full complaint. This was a full-scale scam operation which could be repeated anywhere in the country with the right people.
In the olden days, it took two or three FO employees to manage and pay a claim; a claims rep, a data review technician and a clerical worker. Over the years, the number of employees involved decreased as automation increased. So there are some systems controls, but it would not be all that difficult, especially with collusion, for one or two claims reps to stay under the radar for quite a while.
Just this week an SSI case came across my desk that had never been to DDS or ODAR, at least according to the electronic records. The chance of finding the paper file from 1992 is 50/50 at best.
I have been working SSI long enough to know where I can cheat and maybe get away with it. Although I don't, I can figure out what shortcuts others have taken.
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