WHAT IS FRAUD?
HOW CAN I REPORT FRAUD? 

To skip this introduction and continue to the Fraud Complaint Form, Visit here

WHAT IS FRAUD?

The Office of Family Support (OFS) is responsible for providing assistance to needy individuals and is committed to maintaining the integrity of the programs administered under its jurisdiction. Equally important is the agency's role in insuring that the fraudulent receipt of such benefits is detected and that appropriate measures are taken to terminate ineligible cases and to recover ineligible benefits.

Public Assistance consists of the Food Stamp Program, Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) and Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

The OFS Fraud & Recovery Section is charged with the primary responsibility for fraud detection and recovery of ineligible benefits in the programs administered by OFS. This Section is also responsible for the collection of overpayments to both recipients and providers.

Following are examples of some of the things that people conceal or do not report in order to receive ineligible benefits:

• Someone in the home beginning to work or quitting work
• Actual earnings or income of all household members
• Self-employment or doing odd jobs without reporting the income
• Ownership of property
• Money in the bank
• Unearned income such as social security, child support, unemployment
  compensation or veteran’s benefits for any household members
• Everyone living in the home
• Someone moving in or out of the home
• Receiving assistance in one parish while living in another parish or state
• Receiving assistance in more than one parish or state
• Changes in a child’s attendance at day care

EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) is a method of electronically delivering government benefits. Instead of checks and food stamp coupons, recipients of public assistance have the Louisiana Purchase (LAP) automated benefit card. The Office of Family Support is also responsible for conducting EBT fraud investigations in conjunction with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

The types of violations are:

• Retailer trafficking (buying or selling food stamp benefits)
• Recipient fraud (buying and selling cards or benefits)
• Counterfeit card schemes

HOW CAN I REPORT FRAUD?

If you suspect someone is illegally receiving benefits from Food Stamps, Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP), Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) or is illegally using an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card: 

Visit here to continue to the Fraud Complaint Form

OR

Call the Toll Free Public Assistance Fraud Hotline at:

1-800-256-3150