The Special Investigations Unit investigates reports of public assistance fraud, regarding food stamps, TANF, medicaid, or other public assistance. Also investigates lost or stolen public assistance checks.

The Special Investigations Unit investigates reports of public assistance fraud, regarding food stamps, TANF, medicaid, or other public assistance. Also investigates lost or stolen public assistance checks.

Provides a hotline available for fraud reporting, for consumers, insurance, Medicaid, landlord/tenant issues, etc. Also offers a "Tenants Rights Guide" with information about leases, safety, repairs, and rights available to both tenants and landlords.

Investigates all reported allegations of fraud in the Temporary Assistance (Welfare), SNAP (Food Stamps), Medicaid, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), and Day Care programs. Examples of situations that are fraudulent include unreported income (either earned or unearned), hidden assets (bank accounts, property, etc.), unreported changes in household composition (either someone moved into the home or moved out), changes in shelter cost, buying and selling of SNAP or Public Benefit card (Trafficking), etc.

Receives and reviews questions and complaints regarding the fraudulent use of social services funds. Makes referral of cases to the District Attorney's office when appropriate. Arranges to take liens and assignment of proceeds as required. Also recovers funds from clients. May make referrals to TPHI for recoveries. Performs vital statistic clearances for agency. Arranges client burials as required.

Investigates all complaints of fraud or misuse of all assistance programs and determines over-payments that are uncovered due to these investigations. Work is done in conjunction with the Niagara County Sheriff's Department Investigators. Also helps to prepare cases for prosecution with the Assistant District Attorney of Niagara County. Housing Unit processes all requests for additional allowance, security agreements, and help with furnishings for temporary assistance recipients. Front End Detection System (FEDS) verifies information on the application to ensure accuracy.

Determines eligibility for and administers financial assistance in the form of Medicaid, Food Stamps/SNAP, Public Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and assistance with burials; see separate listing for HEAP. Provides Welfare Fraud Hotline and places great emphasis on identifying fraudulent applications both prior to and during case opening. Also assigns activities to clients that will assist them in locating employment to end or decrease their need for assistance.

Provides services to locate absent non-custodial parents, establish paternity, establish court ordered child support, and enforce orders of child support. Responsible for prosecuting in Family Court all cases involving child abuse, child neglect, termination of parental rights, and court ordered support child. Represents the Department during Fair Hearings involving reports from the State Central Registry. Also handles Adult Protective Services that may seek court orders for entry into a home, short term intervention orders and establishment of financial and/or personal guardianship for incapacitated adults. Investigates and prosecutes welfare fraud; operates collection process for money owed to DSS. Child/Teen Health Program is a preventive health program which provides continuing medical care to your children.

Investigates fraud, potential fraud, and questionable activity related to eligibility for programs of the Department of Social Services.

Offers information about patient rights when hospitalized, medical records review for quality of care and other information regarding health care through Medicare and Medicaid programs, including Medicaid fraud.

Provides temporary benefits and services to income eligible individuals and families with the aim of helping them become self-sufficient. Services include Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance (for single individuals or childless couples), employment and food stamp benefits. Child care subsidies are available to low income families to enable them to afford child care and continue to work. May use a registered or informal provider or a relative.

Accepts and investigates consumer fraud reports including reports about charities and nonprofits. Also the state counsel and Medicaid fraud unit. Provides assistance to victims of crimes that happened within New York State.

Investigates all reported allegations of fraud in the Temporary Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Day Care programs. Also investigates day care providers being paid by Social Services who do not really provide care and cases involving food stamp trafficking. Does not investigate Social Security, Disability, Workman's Comp, Unemployment, or Section 8.

* Provides public assistance through the following programs: SNAP (Food stamps). Medicaid. Rent payment assistance. Benefit information can be found at www.mybenefits.ny.gov. * Offers emergency housing for individuals and families. * Provides assistance to teenage runaways. * Provides fraud investigation services. Reviews information and investigates complaints of welfare fraud.

Provides a hotline available for fraud reporting, for consumers, insurance, Medicaid, landlord/tenant issues, etc. Also offers a "Tenants Rights Guide" with information about leases, safety, repairs, and rights available to both tenants and landlords.

Investigation of fraud, potential fraud, or questionable areas within the SNAP eligibility programs of the Department of Social Services.

Assists with uncovering, prosecuting, and deterring welfare fraud.

Investigates all reported allegations of fraud in the Temporary Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Day Care programs. Also investigates day care providers being paid by Social Services who do not really provide care and cases involving food stamp trafficking. Does not investigate Social Security, Disability, Workman's Comp, Unemployment, or Section 8.

Investigates all reported allegations of fraud in the Temporary Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Day Care programs. Also investigates day care providers being paid by Social Services who do not really provide care and cases involving food stamp trafficking. Does not investigate Social Security, Disability, Workman's Comp, Unemployment, or Section 8.

* Investigates compliance and fraud issues in public assistance programs, SNAP, medical assistance and child day care programs. * Refers cases for administrative hearings and criminal prosecutions as needed.

Investigates all reported allegations of fraud in the Temporary Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Day Care programs. Also investigates day care providers being paid by Social Services who do not really provide care and cases involving food stamp trafficking. Does not investigate Social Security, Disability, Workman's Comp, Unemployment, or Section 8.

Investigates all reported allegations of fraud in the Temporary Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Day Care programs. Also investigates day care providers being paid by Social Services who do not really provide care and cases involving food stamp trafficking. Does not investigate Social Security, Disability, Workman's Comp, Unemployment, or Section 8.

Provides assistance to needy families with children and single adults meeting criteria.