DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Fraud and Resources
Fraud and Resources
The Fraud Unit is responsible for the investigation of all allegations of welfare fraud. Allegations are received from the general public, Agency staff, employers, law enforcement agencies, etc.
The Fraud Unit is responsible for case preparation which includes the collecting of supporting documents and the preparation of over-payment budgets. The cases are presented to the District Attorney to review and determine if they should be prosecuted or handled administratively. Whether handled criminally or administratively these cases also carry disqualification periods from the assistance programs and repayment.
Fraud can be reported by various means:
  • Fraud can be reported directly to your Local Department of Social Services: Columbia County (518) 828-9411. This would include Medicaid, SNAP (Food Stamps), Temporary Assistance (cash assistance), HEAP, and vendor or provider fraud.
  • Fraud can be reported to a fraud line monitored by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (518) 828-TIPS (8477).
  • Medicaid Fraud (specifically) can be reported to the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) 877-87-FRAUD (877-873-7283). These allegations will be forwarded to the local office.
  • Allegations involving Temporary Assistance, SNAP, and HEAP can be reported on-line to the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA): https://reportwelfarefraud.otda.ny.gov These allegations will be forwarded to the local office.
ALL SUBMISSIONS OF FRAUD ARE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL & ALL ALLEGATIONS ARE ACTED ON
The Resource Unit is responsible for the collection and monitoring of all fraud over-payments and over-payments which are not a direct result of fraud. Over-payment case files are maintained and monitored until balance is paid in full.
The Resource Unit is also responsible for recovering funds from available resources such as property (liens) and the collection of Personal Needs Accounts from nursing homes. Currently the Columbia County Department of Social Services (CCDSS) is contracted with Health Management Systems (HMS) who handles accident liens, claims against estates, Medicated real property liens, and trust accounts. HMS is contracted through the Department of Health to provide such service to the local district.

The Resource/Fraud Department is responsible for a variety of tasks such as representing the Agency at Fair Hearings, calculating over-payments and investigating Fraud allegations.

Fraud can be reported to:
  • The Local Department of Social Services:  (518) 828-9411
  • The designated Fraud line at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office:  (518) 828-TIPS (8477)
  • New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (877) 87FRAUD (873-7283)
This department also handles the request for assistance with Burials for the indigent.  To apply for Burial Assistance, you must complete the application below: 
Burial Application