1855 Requests for Investigation

Georgia State Seal

Department of Human Services
Policy and Manual Management System

Index:

POL 1855

Revised:

01/27/2023

Next Review:

01/26/2025

Policy

Requests for investigation of suspected fraud and intentional program violations on the part of a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipient must be submitted to the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG). The Fraud Prevention and Recovery Unit (FPRU) will review referrals and investigate cases of suspected fraud and abuse in a timely manner.

The DHS has established a toll-free fraud hotline (1-844-694-2347) that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are reviewed and if appropriate, documented on a DHS OIG Fraud and Abuse Reporting Form, which is subsequently routed to the appropriate Division of Family and Children Services office for investigation and follow-up.

Authority

O.C.G.A. 49-4-15

References

Benefit Recovery Manual (Vol. IV) MAN3450
Code of Federal Regulations 7 C.F.R. § 273.18

Applicability

Suspected intentional program violations are reported to the OIG/FPRU for investigation.

Definitions

Suspected intentional program violations are allegations of suspected fraud, misuse, and trafficking of public assistance benefits.

Responsibilities

  1. The OIG/FPRU Director is responsible for oversight of POL 1855.

  2. The FPRU State Operations Unit updates procedures to implement this policy.

History

Evaluation

The OIG/FPRU evaluates this policy by:

  1. Monitoring and completing an annual review to confirm the accuracy of suspected intentional program violation referrals.

  2. Passing any audit(s) with no findings.