Local fraud unit marks milestone

SANDUSKY — Erie County's fraud task force recently reached a really prestigious milestone. "Through our persistent dedication and collaborative efforts, we have officially reached a monumental milestone: $1 million identified in established cases of fraud and customer-caused overpayments since our changes in January 2020," according to Neil Yingling, the workforce development and fraud control administrator for Erie County Job and Family Services. From this $1 million identified, $655,000 has been recovered. Regarding the balance, $345,000, task force officials continue to track down this amount in hopes of making all parties whole. All funds recovered go back into various accounts helping underprivileged locals manage receive necessities, such as food and health care, to overcome day-to-day struggles in life. Comprised of area officials, such as law enforcement officers and legal representatives, task force members seek out people who illegally spend public funds through programs — like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to food stamps — and wrongly submit reimbursements for items, such as child care or Medicare/Medicaid. "In order to protect the program's integrity, fraud prevention and detection is critical. If this were not done, the taxpayers would lose faith in the programs," said Yingling, noting cases get investigated, prosecuted and then go through a process to receive reimbursements through restitution. Yingling underscored the task force's three main goals. They're to: • "Ensure public assistance benefits are received only by those eligible and that the correct amounts are issued" • "Recover benefits received by participants through fraudulent activities, unintentional participant error or administrative errors" • "Deter future occurrences of fraud and/or excess payment within all public assistance programs and to help maintain program integrity" "Within the need for a new fraud focus, we did not want our program integrity efforts to affect the accessibility of services," Yingling said. "Anyone who is eligible should be able to apply and receive these benefits. Our efforts do not impede access but focus on ensuring that taxpayer dollars are being properly spent." AJ Lill, the executive director for Erie County Job and Family Services, commended the task force's commitment to ensuring taxpayer dollars get spent in the right way. "When potential fraud is identified, it is referred for investigation and, when appropriate, prosecution. We remain committed to protecting public resources while ensuring eligible families continue to receive needed services," Lill said. Why this matters Yingling, who also serves on state and national task force boards in leadership positions, penned an open letter to underscore the local task force's importance and what's at stake with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which represents the largest share of fraud overseen by area officials: For many families, the struggle to balance a tight budget is a daily reality. When the rent is due, the electricity is at risk of being shut off or a child needs new shoes, the temptation to trade or sell Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, often shortened to SNAP, benefits for cash can feel like a necessary survival tactic, however, it is critical to understand that this practice — legally known as trafficking — is a serious federal crime. Even the intent to buy and/or sell SNAP benefits is a felony offense. The law does not make exceptions for "good intentions." While the financial pressures are real, the legal and long-term consequences of selling program benefits can leave a family in a far more desperate situation than where they started. The program was created with a singular, vital mission: to increase the food purchasing power of families in need. The program is designed as a supplemental resource, meaning it is intended specifically to fill the gap in a household's food budget so that no child or adult has to go hungry. Because these funds are provided by taxpayers for the sole purpose of nutrition, federal law strictly prohibits them from being converted into cash or used for non-food items. Even if the cash is used for other "essentials," like rent or utility bills, the act of selling the benefits violates the fundamental legal framework of the program. Selling $200 worth of program benefits for $100 in cash may cover a utility bill today, but it creates a dangerous deficit for the rest of the month. More importantly, it puts a family's entire future stability at risk. A criminal record for program fraud can make it nearly impossible to find employment or qualify for subsidized housing later. The short-term fix of selling benefits often leads to a long-term cycle of food insecurity and legal trouble that is difficult to escape. If you are struggling to pay for non-food essentials, like rent or utilities, selling your food assistance is never the answer. There are resources available to help you bridge the gap through community agencies, clinics food banks and more. The law is clear: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is for food. By protecting your benefits and using them correctly, you ensure that your family remains eligible for the support you need to stay healthy and fed. Public assistance fraud reports can be made at jfs.ohio.gov/fraud or by contacting your county department of job and family services