Welfare Inspector General, Office of

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Agency Web Site: http://www.owig.state.ny.us/Link to External Website

Mission

The Office of Welfare Inspector General was established in 1992 to prevent, investigate, and prosecute welfare fraud, waste, abuse and illegal acts involving social services programs at both the State and local levels. The Office investigates, and when appropriate, prosecutes persons dishonestly receiving benefits for which they are not entitled. It also investigates instances in which providers of Medicaid, day care or other social services fraudulently receive payments from the government.

The agency is also responsible for investigating any failure by State and local officials to investigate and prosecute such fraud and abuse within their jurisdiction. Furthermore, the Office is charged with recommending policies to prevent and to detect social services fraud, and then to monitor the implementation of these recommendations. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Office works closely with various State agencies in support of fraud investigations.

Organization and Staffing

The Office is headed by the Welfare Inspector General, who is appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Welfare Inspector General’s statewide operations are administered from New York City with a field office in Albany.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2019 Executive Budget recommends $1.4 million in All Funds ($1.1 million in General Fund; $100,000 in Federal Funds; and $150,000 in Other Funds). This is an increase of $150,000 from the previous fiscal year attributable to the establishment of three SRO accounts for funding received through a Federal Equitable Sharing agreement. The agency’s workforce totals 7 FTEs, unchanged from FY 2018.

Program Highlights

The Office annually receives hundreds of complaints about alleged fraud, waste and abuse that originate from citizens and other governmental agencies. The Office also generates investigations on its own initiative. Fraud investigations result in savings for all levels of government. Recovered funding is repaid to the appropriate programs.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category Available
FY 2018		 Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2019		 Change From
FY 2018		 Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2019
State Operations 1,262,000 1,412,000 150,000 0
Total 1,262,000 1,412,000 150,000 0

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2018
Estimated FTEs
03/31/18		 FY 2019
Estimated FTEs
03/31/19		 FTE Change
Welfare Inspector General, Office of the
General Fund 7 7 0
Total 7 7 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2018		 Recommended
FY 2019		 Change
General Fund 1,162,000 1,162,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 100,000 100,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 0 150,000 150,000
Total 1,262,000 1,412,000 150,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2018		 Recommended
FY 2019		 Change
Welfare Inspector General, Office of the
General Fund 1,162,000 1,162,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 100,000 100,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 0 150,000 150,000
Total 1,262,000 1,412,000 150,000

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2019 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service Regular
(Annual Salaried)
Amount Change Amount Change
Welfare Inspector General, Office of the 750,000 0 750,000 0
Total 750,000 0 750,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2019 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Supplies and Materials
Amount Change Amount Change
Welfare Inspector General, Office of the 412,000 0 25,000 0
Total 412,000 0 25,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2019 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Travel Contractual Services
Amount Change Amount Change
Welfare Inspector General, Office of the 28,000 0 320,000 0
Total 28,000 0 320,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2019 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Equipment
Amount Change
Welfare Inspector General, Office of the 39,000 0
Total 39,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2019 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Welfare Inspector General, Office of the 250,000 150,000 250,000 150,000
Total 250,000 150,000 250,000 150,000

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/16/2018

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