Social Security Disability is a great benefit to those who truly need assistance due to a severe medical condition that prevents them from working for at least a year. However, sometimes people violate the law and fabricate a medical condition. Detecting a fraud in the Social Security system is a challenging process, but it is one that is necessary in order to maintain the integrity of the program. Determining whether someone is trying to take advantage of the system can be a difficult task, so before reporting an alleged fraud, consider the long journey ahead and all that goes into pinpointing fraudulent activity.
If you suspect someone is violating the law and is, in fact, fraudulently collecting disability benefits:
- You need to know the reason why the person has been approved for benefits. If you are unable to determine this, research will need to be conducted to determine the truth before accusations are made.
- You need to be aware that even though you see this person, you may not fully understand how the person’s impairment causes difficulties in daily living.
- Some people receiving Social Security Disability suffer from mental or psychological disorders; these are not often easy to pinpoint as an outsider, and it may be difficult to judge how these conditions could interrupt the daily activities.
Typically you would have to know someone quite well in order to determine whether or not he or she is taking advantage of the system. Making strong accusations about someone receiving disability benefits is touchy ground, and something that you would not want to do lightly. When in doubt, do not be afraid to ask questions and look into the actions of the person. This can greatly help you determine where the truth lies. If you do still truly suspect someone of committing a fraudulent act, you should consider reporting that individual.
- You should begin by contacting the toll-free Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.
- Remember to provide as much information as you can. This includes the name, address, birth date, phone numbers, and Social Security number (if you know it) of the person suspected of committing fraud. The more information you provide, the sooner the investigation can begin. You should explain in detail to the SSA exactly in what type of fraudulent activity that you suspect this person to be involved.
- Do not report anything that you do not know for sure. There are penalties for reporting false information, so stick with the facts.
- Be certain that you understand the situation surrounding the person’s disability. Work may complicate the person’s condition more than you know. Some people are unable to work because they have to be medicated frequently throughout the day. There are also many individuals on disability who have to make trips to the hospital on a weekly or even daily basis. Other individuals may suffer from a psychological or mental condition that makes them appear quite normal, but they may, in reality, be struggling deeply on the inside. You must be fully aware of their circumstances to be able to judge if they are fraudulently collecting benefits.
- If you feel uncomfortable telephoning regarding your concerns, you can complete an online fraud reporting form, or mail in your findings to the Fraud Hotline at:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235
When working properly, the Social Security Disability program is a wonderful asset. To those individuals suffering and unable to work, or even waiting out the last stage of their lives, it is often a much-needed benefit. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of a good thing and use it improperly, as is the case with fraudulent behavior. While reporting this kind of activity is important, it is also a serious leap to take. Before you report your suspicions, you should realize that the most important thing is to know all the facts, and to move forward only if you are certain you have a definite case of fraudulent conduct.
Blog comments
I need some help, my husband
I need some help, my husband is a disabled vet who just started collecting SSI in 2012. He has a son who was a minor at the time and we have been fighting to get benefits for him since 2012. My husband pays child support and carries health insurance on him as well. We were just told by Social security he can not draw because his step father died in 2010 and his mother drew off of his benefits. I don't understand how she drew when my husband was supporting him. My step son never saw a dollar and had no idea she was even collecting. By the way my step son lives with us. I have filed a report but I don't know where to go from here to see when we are going to be able to collect what we should have already collected. Ill take any advice I get!
In reply to I need some help, my husband by Terry (not verified)
Hi Terry,
Hi Terry,
If your husband is getting SSI benefits rather than SSDI benefits, then your stepson would not be eligible for benefits based off of his father's disability as SSI benefits do not include auxiliary benefits for minor children. Additionally, the mother may have been drawing off her new husband's survivor's benefits.
In Missouri I know that there
In Missouri I know that there is common law marriage after being together for so long. This girl I know claims her, basically husband of at least 13 years now has a good paying job. They just went to Paris together and she parties her life away while collecting disability that, in my opinion, she doesn't need. She claims it's mental illness but it doesn't keep her from partying and socializing, or taking expensive trips with it. My question, is this fraud that she claims he is her roommate so she can get disability?
In reply to In Missouri I know that there by phony fraud (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
It may be fraud,if the SSA considers common law marriage equivalent to a legal, "on-paper" marriage. Additionally, If she's getting SSDI, she may not be committing fraud because SSDI benefits are granted based off of work history rather than being needs based.
Is it fraud if somebody
Is it fraud if somebody receives disability benefits and is paid as an "independent contractor" as a delivery person?
In reply to Is it fraud if somebody by Emily Z (not verified)
Hi Emily,
Hi Emily,
It may not be fraud if they are working within the limits of the SSA's disability determination for that individual.
I made an annomous report.
I made an annomous report. Will this person know someone has made a claim?? And will they know what was told on the claim.?
In reply to I made an annomous report. by Amy Huston (not verified)
Hi Amy,
Hi Amy,
As you submitted the claim anonymously, they would not be able to know with any certainty who made the claim. Additionally, the SSA may not tell them what allegations are made against them.
i know someone who is on
i know someone who is on disability for a mental disability. they quit their job saying they were unable to work at all, in any capacity. however, now they have two new jobs they openly brag about. they are posting about their new positions while they're on disability. so they are collecting disability, working two other jobs, and making money from those as well. is that fraud?
In reply to i know someone who is on by marie (not verified)
Hi Marie,
Hi Marie,
It's not necessarily fraud if they are working within the limits of the SSA's determination of their disability and they are not earning more than what the SSA sets as an income limit for either SSI or SSDI, depending on which type of benefits they are receiving.
I know of a few people who
I know of a few people who are on disability and operate better then I do. Two people I know are on it due to ptsd but party constantly and one plays in a band all the time. So are benefits OK to she'll out to partiers with ptsd?
In reply to I know of a few people who by Beth (not verified)
Hi Beth,
Hi Beth,
They may appear to be having a good time, but it's very hard to truly see what's going on in someone's head. Their "partying" may be how they cope with their condition. Additionally, PTSD is a legitimate condition that the SSA may pay benefits for. Disabilities come in all forms, and some of them are not visible to the naked eye.
My husband has filed a
My husband has filed a fraudulent disability claim and I don't feel right about it. I have him on video removing and putting on all 4 tires on our SUV. His claim is a broken neck, broken back, and messed up shoulder. He can do things no problem and drive. He has not been given the award yet, but would like to send my video so he doesn't get awarded anything. I believe in doing the right thing, but my husband just wants to sit back and collect the money. What should I do?
In reply to My husband has filed a by Curly Rain (not verified)
Hi Curly,
Hi Curly,
I can't tell you what you should do, as it's really up to you to make that decision. If you do want to report this, however, you can do so here:
http://oig.ssa.gov/report-fraud-waste-or-abuse/fraud-waste-and-abuse
Should i report ssi fraud
Should i report ssi fraud this person claims to be blind does she look blind hey shes looking right in the camera and Drives
In reply to Should i report ssi fraud by Kim (not verified)
Hi Kim,
Hi Kim,
Blindness is not defined as the total absence of sight by the SSA. Depending on their level of vision and your state's laws, it may be possible for them to drive while being, for the purposes of the SSA, blind.
What if the mother of my step
What if the mother of my step children is able to get disability for her mental illness/migraines, but I am able to prove that she brings in over 1500 a month in self employment income by buying used items at garage sales and storage auctions, and reselling them for a profit? She works on this as much as anyone would at a full time job....
In reply to What if the mother of my step by Dayla (not verified)
Hi Dayla,
Hi Dayla,
That would certainly count as fraud! I would recommend reporting it, assuming you are confident she is earning $1500 and not reporting it.
If it goes to court will we
If it goes to court will we have to go testify against that person?
In reply to If it goes to court will we by Kellie (not verified)
Hi Kellie,
Hi Kellie,
You may only need to testify against someone if you get a court summons specifying that you'd have to.
My ex wife went on ssi
My ex wife went on ssi disabilty 15 years ago claiming she has auto immune disaease.she is 58.She owns a one family home and converted the lower level to an illegal apartment without construction permits.My ex sister in law has been emailing me telling me how she was bragging she paid a doctor to put her on SSI disability.She has been renting the apt for $800 a month plus $100 for cable and internet from 2006 up to 2011.She had previous tennants.She gets food stamps and free gas and electric.Only one power box in home with wires to illegal apt.She is frauding the free utilities and collecting rent.Are emails from her evidence?
I pay $375 Bi weekly child support.Her boyfriend bought her a new car.My son who is 24 she claims has Asbergers Syndrome is a College Grad on the deans list yet i pay child support to him and all his doctor bills.Why isn't he on Medicaid and how did the mother pay for 4and half years of college on SSI disability.And why does she have high end credit cards and I am forced to pay her attorney fees while she is eligible for free legal aid attorney.My son at age 24 needs 9 crowns on his teeth which the court makes me pay.My ex wife is supposed to report all income to SSI or risk penalties and yet every year my income taxes get intercepted for medical bills for thousands in her pocket but doubtful she declares to SSI or IRS.Wonder if SSI works with IRS with fraud?
In reply to My ex wife went on ssi by Gus (not verified)
Hi Gus,
Hi Gus,
You might want to report to the SSA that your ex-wife may be getting benefits while not reporting income. You can do so by going here:
http://oig.ssa.gov/report
What if I have heard from
What if I have heard from someone close to someone else that they are on disability for a mental issue yet they manage to work and take care of 6 other people. How do I find outexactly what the ddisability is for in order to determine my assumption is accurate. From understanding the person receives benefits because they are unable to take care and provid for themselves. Its a frustrating situation please help me
In reply to What if I have heard from by sarah (not verified)
Hi Sarah,
Hi Sarah,
This person's disability doesn't necessarily mean they cannot work at all, in fact many people are able to work while receiving disability benefits, however they can only do so within the SSA's guidelines for the type of disability benefit that they are receiving.
Lady we know was a nurse,
Lady we know was a nurse, claims to have chronic stomach pains. On SSD, however keeps her two grandkids 5 days a week and gets paid. Of course it isn't taxed. You'd think someone with chronic pain and unable to work wouldn't be able to keep up with a toddler and infant.
In reply to Lady we know was a nurse, by Patsy (not verified)
Hi Patsy,
Hi Patsy,
Caring for two children doesn't necessarily mean that this person is totally healthy and able to work full time. Disability benefits sometimes aren't enough to make ends meet, and as such it's possible to work while being on disability benefits, within the SSA's limits for substantial gainful activity.
We have an employee who got a
We have an employee who got a divorce from her husband so he could get more SSI disability since she works and has an income. But they still live in the same house. He has a seizure disorder and is not suppose to drive, but he still does. They recently adopted a baby in Florida, but they live in Texas.
He is not supposed to be able to stay at home with the baby due to his seizures. Baby goes to day care.
Is this committing fraud since he is getting more money if he is single
Concerned in Texas
In reply to We have an employee who got a by TONYA (not verified)
Hi Tonya,
Hi Tonya,
They may have kept living together for other reasons, one being that they now have a child. If this employee did not say that she and her husband divorced strictly for an increase in SSI benefits, they may not be committing fraud.
Someone I know draws a
Someone I know draws a disability check and fully disables. Butt he has a side business where he's paid in cash where he cutts grass and does construction work is this fraud.
In reply to Someone I know draws a by todd (not verified)
Hi Todd, it may be fraud
Hi Todd, it may be fraud depending on what type of benefits they are receiving, if they are reporting the income, and if the activities he is doing are ones that he has been determined to be unable to do by the SSA's disability determination.
I know someone who gets
I know someone who gets disability and is probably disabled. But this person rents out a house, works pt/time under the table, and is a nanny as well as renting out a room in their house. None of this income is being reported. Isn't that fraud?
In reply to I know someone who gets by Anon (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
If they are not reporting their income, they may be committing fraud. If you feel the need to make a report, you can do so here:
http://oig.ssa.gov/report
I have video surveillance of
I have video surveillance of my neighbor coming into my yard at night with a heavy sprayer on his back, spraying and running through the bushes. Also removing sections of my fence weighing approx. 150 pounds on three separate occasions and placing it inside my yard resulting in moving it approx. 15 feet. This person receiving benefits for his disability to work seems like fraud to me.
In reply to I have video surveillance of by gfree (not verified)
Hi Gfree,
Hi Gfree,
your neighbor may still have a disability, as not every disabling condition is physical in nature and may not be readily apparent at first glance.
There is a guy in Daytona who
There is a guy in Daytona who is asking for under the table work on Facebook because he is on disability and doesn't want to lose his benefits. He said that one Facebook. so can have his picture and that post but cannot report him because we don't know why is on disability. That's crazy
In reply to There is a guy in Daytona who by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there, you can let the SSA
Hi there, you can let the SSA know about this here:
http://oig.ssa.gov/report
What if someone has
What if someone has disability check from a brain tumor but owns there own company and makes THOUSANDS of dollars lies says she lives with daughter in another state never did lives over 300 miles away and fakes suing cases of fake accidents and never reported any of this
In reply to What if someone has by Pooky (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
You may want to let the SSA know about that, that may be fraud. You can call them at 1-800-772-1213
I have a friend here in
I have a friend here in Pennsylvania that receives the basi $755.00 SSI payment. However, she claims she gets an additional payment that is abbreviated LTI or LPI? Not sure. She claims it is not workers comp. that I believe because that needs to end before a SS check can begin. This additional monies brings her monthly income to somewhere
around $1300 per month! Does this sound familiar to anyone?
In reply to I have a friend here in by Leigh (not verified)
Hi Leigh,
Hi Leigh,
That payment may not be countable income, as the SSA does exclude some income when they calculate benefits.
Jus wish there was a system
Jus wish there was a system in place w complaints.... Well, where some people are watched. Some people really fake it and collect a ton of money w/o working a job. The people that claim nerver pain and collect $ for them and their children, but put to clubs
In reply to Jus wish there was a system by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
There is a place to let the SSA know that someone is committing fraud. You can submit a report here:
http://oig.ssa.gov/report
I know someone who been
I know someone who been working for 3yrs and make over the limit,but lied on the papers you all sent for an update.they makes 17.50 an hour plus they are using another mailing address.what they was getting it for is gone completely but still they didn't report to you all.
In reply to I know someone who been by Tonia (not verified)
Hi Tonia,
Hi Tonia,
We are not affiliated with the SSA or the government, and we did not send that person any papers. To report fraud, you can go here:
http://oig.ssa.gov/report
Does the benefit amount
Does the benefit amount change depending on the state a person lives in and isn't it wrong for an individual to receive benefits from a state they do not live in?
In reply to Does the benefit amount by Tamara (not verified)
Hi Tamara,
Hi Tamara,
Some states offer a supplement to SSI, so it may change by state. Additionally, states may verify residence for the state supplements, and it would be very hard for someone to receive a state supplement while living out of state in that case.
My children's father
My children's father receives ssi my children gets $8 he is currently working as a uber driver making up to $1500 and his ssi checks are $700 something isn't that fraud. He had Multiple sclerosis but very much able to get around with no problems as of yet. I have his Address SSN and birthday.
In reply to My children's father by brenda (not verified)
Hi Brenda,
Hi Brenda,
It may be, you can report it to the SSA using this link here:
http://oig.ssa.gov/report
I just have a question; what
I just have a question; what if someone is receiving disability for their son, who is hard of hearing, but does not report the over $3,000 a month she receives in child support because her ex-husband lives and works out of the country and the support does not go through the state. Would this be considered fraud?
In reply to I just have a question; what by Brooke (not verified)
Hi Brooke,
Hi Brooke,
it may be, however if they are getting SSI benefits, one-third of child support is excluded in countable income, which is how SSI benefits are calculated. They may still be eligible for benefits.
Add new comment