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 2020 Executive Budget recommends $1.3 million All Funds appropriation. A decrease of $100,000 from the previous fiscal year, attributable to the Federal Equitable Sharing appropriations being replaced by Special Revenue Funds. The agency’s workforce totals 7 FTEs, unchanged from the previous fiscal year.

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 2019
Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
Change From
FY 2019
Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
State Operations 1,412,000 1,312,000 (100,000) 0
Total 1,412,000 1,312,000 (100,000) 0

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2019
Estimated FTEs
03/31/19
FY 2020
Estimated FTEs
03/31/20
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 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
General Fund 1,162,000 1,162,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 100,000 0 (100,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Other 150,000 150,000 0
Total 1,412,000 1,312,000 (100,000)

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Welfare Inspector General, Office of the
General Fund 1,162,000 1,162,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 100,000 0 (100,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Other 150,000 150,000 0
Total 1,412,000 1,312,000 (100,000)

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 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 2020 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 2020 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 2020 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 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Welfare Inspector General, Office of the 150,000 (100,000) 150,000 (100,000)
Total 150,000 (100,000) 150,000 (100,000)

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/15/2019