May 16th, 2018 (WAUSEON, OHIO) – May is Public Assistance Awareness Month in Ohio, and Fulton County Job and Family Services (FCJFS) is spreading the word that “Fraud Costs All of Us.” FCJFS has hosted two special events in May to promote fraud awareness that include Family Fun Day on May 12th, 2018 as well “wear green” day in support of Fraud Awareness on Wednesday May 16th, 2018.
“Fraud is not something we take lightly in Fulton County,” states Marsha Horner, Fraud Investigator for FCJFS. “Recently we’ve partnered with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office to assist us in investigations, which has really helped us crack down on this problem.”
In 2017, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services disbursed about $2.2 billion in SNAP food assistance, $238 million in Ohio Works First cash assistance and nearly $632 million in child care provider subsidies. Individuals who mislead caseworkers or provide false information on an application for benefits account for a very small percentage of the funding disbursed, but the department takes even the smallest fraud cases very seriously.
Last year in Fulton County (2017), Job and Family Services investigated 69 claims with a total claim amount of $249,170.60. The total claim amount collected was $88,659.04. Fraud is noted in all aspects of SNAP food assistance including Medicaid, Cash Assistance, and Daycare.
Horner notes that awareness is key to fraud prevention. “We appreciate the people and families that joined us at our Second Annual Family Fun Day (May 12th) despite the chilly and rainy weather,” she noted. The event, which was free to the public, featured bouncy houses, face painting, kids activities, superhereos, door prizes and a complimentary lunch for participants. Fulton County public assistance vendors and information booths were also on-site. “We wanted this event to be a fun family friendly event that offered the opportunity for participants to become connected with resources and employers available to them in Fulton County.”
Applicants and recipients of public assistance programs are encouraged to report their circumstances accurately and timely in order to avoid facing potential criminal charges, program disqualification and repayment of benefits issued improperly. Residents of Fulton County may report suspected public assistance fraud by calling Marsha Horner, FCJFS Fraud Investigator at 419-337-0010 option 2 for Public Assistance then option 4 to report fraud or go to jfs.ohio.gov/fraud.