Social Security Disability Benefits Fraud

Submitted by Daniel on

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.

Additional Resources

Blog comments

Bryan

In reply to by Maria (not verified)

Hi Maria,

Hi Maria,
If they are selling their food stamps, you may want to contact your state's agency that administers food stamps as that may be fraud in your state.

Mon, 06/20/2016 - 10:07 Permalink
Melissa (not verified)

I someone that collects SSI

I someone that collects SSI for her son, and has since moved to Mexico. Is it illegal to live in Mexico and collect SSI? She has not reported the change in her sons condition, and no longer needs to medicate her son for the condition in which he was approved for SSI.

Sun, 06/19/2016 - 01:28 Permalink
Kelly (not verified)

Just a simple question if I

Just a simple question if I was a partners in a business but no longer am and the other partner hired someone under the table that was collecting disability would I be held responsible when the shit hits the fan

Mon, 06/20/2016 - 18:15 Permalink
Tax payer (not verified)

What if you know this person

What if you know this person who is receiving disability, but is posting his weekly earnings on FB?

Mon, 06/20/2016 - 18:31 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Tax payer (not verified)

Hi,

Hi,
It would all depend on how much he's earning. People on disability benefits are still able to earn income, but they cannot earn more than $1,130 per month while still qualifying for SSDI.

Tue, 06/21/2016 - 13:49 Permalink
Mary (not verified)

I have a question what if you

I have a question what if you know a family staying together and one of the family members work in hospices plus she's a hairstyles. She married to the guy who gets ssi. Then the her son stay in the same home gets ssi and ssa. Is this fraud. But the son paying the mom rent for staying with her inside the home.

Tue, 06/21/2016 - 03:24 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Mary (not verified)

Hi Mary,

Hi Mary,
It might be fraud, but this would depend on how much the spouse is earning. If she's earning more than $1,100 per month, it would become disability fraud.

Tue, 06/21/2016 - 13:47 Permalink
Lisa (not verified)

I have a question? Please can

I have a question? Please can anybody answer this question for me. Please. I have two kids by a man who gets ssi and ssa. I'm trying to get child support from him because I didn't make these babies by myself. This man has worked before in his life. I know for a fix he's making money under the table from DJ with music. The question is can I file for child support or not? Because he gets this money and not paying for his kids. Like I need help with this problem. Should I report the them or not?

Tue, 06/21/2016 - 03:35 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Lisa (not verified)

Hi Lisa,

Hi Lisa,
Child support is completely up to Child Services, but I see no reason as to why you might not be able to receive child support if he is earning income. I would contact child services in your area to find out if you can receive payments.

Tue, 06/21/2016 - 13:47 Permalink
Cindy (not verified)

How long does it take for

How long does it take for them to investigate after SS receives the information?

Thu, 06/23/2016 - 12:25 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Cindy (not verified)

Hi Cindy,

Hi Cindy,
I unfortunately have no idea how long that takes! I think it all depends on how severe the fraud seems, how much evidence is available, and the resources the SSA has on hand at the time.

Thu, 06/23/2016 - 13:38 Permalink
Jennifer (not verified)

I have a family member who

I have a family member who claims he can't work due to his back. He currently just bragged all over facebook he just put in a new floor for a friend. Would you consider that fraud? Especially considering I doubt it was done free of charge. Plus if you're saying you can't work due to your back but you're laying floors down and going fishing, to me that means the SSA clearly is not checking up on their recipient's.

Thu, 06/23/2016 - 17:01 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jennifer (not verified)

Hi Jennifer,

Hi Jennifer,
Being able to do something once is not proof that they are able to work. For example, a person may remodel one kitchen in their life, but that doesn't mean their work is worth paying for or that they can do it consistently full time for employment.

Fri, 06/24/2016 - 14:34 Permalink
Wendy (not verified)

What if I know someone

What if I know someone getting ssi but ain't getting there benefits and there payee is keeping them and not paying the bills she's suppose to and keeping the money and the person that suppose to be getting the benefits lives with me and the payee lives a couple hours away

Fri, 06/24/2016 - 11:39 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Wendy (not verified)

Hi Wendy,

Hi Wendy,
I would call the SSA to have that person's payee changed, if that person's payee is not using their benefits correctly, the SSA will change the payee.

Fri, 06/24/2016 - 14:40 Permalink
Leila (not verified)

What if the person receiving

What if the person receiving ssi lied to the ssa bout her husband not living with her so she could receive more benefits than what shes entitled to under the married couple benefits

Fri, 06/24/2016 - 13:36 Permalink
juan (not verified)

I have read that the majority

I have read that the majority of the people informed of commiting fraud are not investigated. Is this true?
The person I am looking into works with her husband as his secretary and has been collecting ssdi for the last 20 years and is 53 years old. I beleive ssd ponderates the cost benefit to investigate and this is a strong factor if to investigate or not.

Fri, 06/24/2016 - 22:23 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by juan (not verified)

Hi Juan,

Hi Juan,
The SSA absolutely does investigate people that are reported to them, don't worry!

Mon, 06/27/2016 - 11:39 Permalink
Lilly (not verified)

What if i know someone who is

What if i know someone who is not using ther ssi the way thier supposed to be doing and he spends it all on alcohol dont pay no bills and buy nothing but alcohol

Sat, 06/25/2016 - 17:07 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Lilly (not verified)

Hi Lilly,

Hi Lilly,
This person may be committing fraud, it would depend if their disability is aggravated or caused by alcohol.

Mon, 06/27/2016 - 11:41 Permalink
Jessica (not verified)

how do i go about reporting

how do i go about reporting someone that is recieving disability not due to health problems, but in all realty is due to their brain being friend from cocaine and also not reporting the true amount of income they were recieving

Mon, 06/27/2016 - 03:19 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jessica (not verified)

Hi Jessica,

Hi Jessica,
You can report fraud to the SSA by writing a letter to their investigative offices here:
Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Mon, 06/27/2016 - 11:42 Permalink
ERNIE (not verified)

Can a fugitive receive ssi

Can a fugitive receive ssi from Alaska while wanted for felony charges in Virginia

Mon, 06/27/2016 - 09:57 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by ERNIE (not verified)

Hi Ernie,

Hi Ernie,
Fugitives, in most cases are unable to receive SSI benefits.

Mon, 06/27/2016 - 11:47 Permalink
Kayla (not verified)

I know someone who has been

I know someone who has been getting disability for years but acquired a professional barber license... he was diagnosed with bipolar... he isn't too bipolar he understood how to acquire that license plus he built a barbershop behind his house... how can u do all this & get disability??? Plus he drives a new challenger(car) off the sales floor lot.... I have pictures of him cutting alot of hair, pictures of the car he drives& pictures of his shop& also one of his business cards... not to mention he has shirts made promoting his business.... FRAUD I SAY!!!! But he is receiving disability checks every month....

Tue, 06/28/2016 - 04:23 Permalink
Fraud Triangle (not verified)

How do you pursue a situation

How do you pursue a situation for a person who is schizophrenic although nearly 30 years old and completely incapable of being self-supporting and making rational decisions and who desperately needs medication and in-patient care at this point and is receiving none? His mother collects his California permanent disability and pockets all but $100 which she sends to him once a month while he is living with his dad in Idaho. She kicked him out of her house and so he moved in with his dad. And, she forwards his mail which is still coming to her home. He doesn't have residency in Idaho. He's now becoming a danger to himself and others and needs serious help, which is more readily available in California than in a very small town in Idaho, and the mother makes that impossible for him. Is she legally responsible for him for taking his money as his "guardian?" And, if this is fraud, how should it be pursued for investigation? What steps need to be taken? Thank you!

Wed, 06/29/2016 - 19:26 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Fraud Triangle (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
I would contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, they can change this person's representative payee to someone who would use the money for that person's benefit. After that, you can file a report with the SSA here:
http://oig.ssa.gov/report

Thu, 06/30/2016 - 10:53 Permalink
Shay (not verified)

What if someone is on

What if someone is on disability for congestive heart failure, high blood pressure etc. and they are cutting grass and shoveling snow and are getting paid for this work. Is it illegal or fraud?

Thu, 06/30/2016 - 06:55 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Shay (not verified)

Hi Shay,

Hi Shay,
It may not be fraud if this person is reporting that income to the SSA and if they are not earning enough to be considered substantial gainful activity, which is $1,130 a month.

Thu, 06/30/2016 - 10:55 Permalink
Debbie (not verified)

What about someone who is an

What about someone who is an entertainer. He dances and sings and jumps all over the stage. But is due to start receiving disability for a "bad" back, neck and knees. He even asked that his pictures be taken down off of the website promoting the band's website. He doesn't want SSI seeing the videos or pictures showing that he is earning money by dancing and singing.

Thu, 06/30/2016 - 13:37 Permalink
Lena Allen (not verified)

I know someone who is getting

I know someone who is getting disability and is working and getting money under the table and has been doing tis for years

Thu, 06/30/2016 - 15:41 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Lena Allen (not verified)

Hi Lena,

Hi Lena,
This person may be committing fraud. If you call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 they can take your statement about this.

Thu, 06/30/2016 - 16:54 Permalink
Tom (not verified)

If a person receives

If a person receives disability for a physical condition. Then, starts a successful concrete business in his wife's name. Also, this person physically performs duties including using heavy duty equipment and all of the other physical duties laying concrete driveways entails. And let's say the husband and wife have been operating this business for over 10 years while receiving disability benefits. Also, husband and wife have a side business of growing a well known illegal plant on their half of a million dollar property. Does this sound like fraud?

Thu, 06/30/2016 - 19:43 Permalink
Mexican pan man (not verified)

This guy hes says he going to

This guy hes says he going to get ssi and has like 3 to 4 years back pay i know he is not hany cap becuse he works at his mother inlaws shop he can pick up 50 lb or sand all day and pushing pallet jacks with 900lb pounds. And its all bs

Thu, 06/30/2016 - 21:12 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Mexican pan man (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
That person may be unable to work for a condition that is not physical in nature, and as such is not apparent to the naked eye. Disabilities come in many forms.

Fri, 07/01/2016 - 09:33 Permalink
Mexican pan man (not verified)

This guy has not got the ssi

This guy has not got the ssi yet. But has a doctor that is giving him pain meds but hes doing it to him self he dont eat right and dont keep him self clean no exercise in hopes of getting to a point so he can get assistants. Says he can work but when he need money for cannibus ( weed) he can do it anything from a cluch job to redoing a rooftop. Is it worth reporting or do u think the ssi worker knows better to give a 25 year old man 5 years back pay plus a fix income

Thu, 06/30/2016 - 21:35 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Mexican pan man (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
Again, this person could be applying for disability for any number of reasons that are not physical in nature, and it's very hard to tell if someone is committing fraud without the whole story.

Fri, 07/01/2016 - 09:36 Permalink
Renee (not verified)

My neighbor who got her ssi

My neighbor who got her ssi for being overweight has her illegal Mexican bf living with her and has for 9 years, he works a job plus he runs a grass cutting business in which she helps him she reports none of this, she also babysits everyday, and even has on fb that their married and has his last name ..is this fraud?

Fri, 07/01/2016 - 08:34 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Renee (not verified)

Hi Renee,

Hi Renee,
As long as she is reporting her income to the SSA and she is otherwise still eligible for benefits, then that all may not be fraud. Additionally, her boyfriend/spouse's immigration status might not really factor into this at all.

Fri, 07/01/2016 - 09:38 Permalink
Kim (not verified)

I know someone who is a bad

I know someone who is a bad diabetic with failing eye sight and received disability because of this. She was told she couldn't work because of her eye sight. Yet she goes to work with her boyfriend everyday and mows yards, plants flower beds, weed eats,, etc. She was told not to even go outside, because her vision was so bad, but you will see her mowing the yard, planting flowers. They rake in lots of money while we work like dogs. It's not right for them to draw her disability and get a regular payday either, that's double the money. Me personally, either she needs to draw disability, or she needs to work and give up the disability, not both.

Sat, 07/02/2016 - 14:28 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Kim (not verified)

Hi Kim,

Hi Kim,
Disability benefits may not make ends meet for everyone, and the SSA allows people to earn money while on disability because of this fact. As long as she is reporting her income, she may not be committing fraud.

Tue, 07/05/2016 - 10:51 Permalink
Bob (not verified)

My friend recently was given

My friend recently was given citizenship and was given a new social security number. She was told- to no longer to use the old number. She continues to use both. Can she get arrested or lose her citizenship. She is originally from El Salvador

Sat, 07/02/2016 - 17:19 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Bob (not verified)

Hi Bob,

Hi Bob,
Using two Social Security numbers, even if you own both, may be fraud.

Tue, 07/05/2016 - 10:52 Permalink
DeShawna (not verified)

My Boyfriend is Bipolor and

My Boyfriend is Bipolor and he gets a check, after he lost his job and went to jail his sister turned back on his SSI checks, once he gotten out of jail she kicked him out, he asked for his money(from his SSI check) and she gave him his card but she cancelled it and said it was stolen just so that she could take his money, she's been taking his SSI benefits for ever he has never received Any kind of money which is his how do I report this, because why is she allowed to just not give him his money? She is stealing it and she's doing it on purpose.

Sun, 07/03/2016 - 09:54 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by DeShawna (not verified)

Hi DeShawna,

Hi DeShawna,
You need to contact the SSA and let them know that your boyfriend needs a new representative payee. you can call 1-800-772-1213 to do so.

Tue, 07/05/2016 - 10:54 Permalink

Add new comment

Find Out If I Qualify for Benefits!