Preventing Social Security and Disability Fraud

Ruth A Parra

Prof. Vincent Bisson ENG 111-T2March 25th 2014

Preventing Social Security and Disability Fraud

Social security and disability fraud refers to a process in which an individual gives false claims that he or he has a disability that prevents him or her to work or to earn income and as a result, receives benefits that are reserved for the disabled persons (Hill & Hill, 24). This kind of fraud is common in the United State, where some people collect the benefits reserved for the disabled persons, despite that they maintain income earning activities outside their homes. Social security is insurance as well as a social welfare program that was established in 1935 and is funded using tax collected from tax payers throughout United States (Federal Government, 43). Fraudulent dealings in relation to the funds may lead to wastage of millions of dollars of tax payers’ money and thus, it should be avoid at all costs. This paper examines some problems encountered in the fight against the fraud and proposes solutions to the problems.

Discussion

There are several challenges that are encountered in the fight against the fraud associated with the Social Security and Disability finds which pave way for the problem to continue thriving. One of the challenges is that some citizens who witness the practice are reluctant to report to the respective government authorities (the Inspector general or Social Security Administration) (Hill & Hill, 24). To counter to counter this problem, a campaign should be launched to sensitize the citizens about the importance of reporting such kind of fraudulent practices. Advertisements can be made through different types of media, which encourage the public to report persons who they believe are engaging in the fraudulent practice. Easy ways of reporting should be established, such as the use of a hotline number. The number should be included in the advertisements (Hill & Hill, 24).

Another problem encountered is that it is difficult, in some cases, to determine whether fraud has taken place. For instance, there are instances where it is difficult to see the disability, such as cases involving mental or physical disorders that are not easily visible. In order to determine whether an individual has engaged in fraud, the type of disability that the recipient of the funds claims to have must be established. There must also be clear indication to show that the recipient has been receiving the funds and that he/she is hiding information about other income sources from the government. However, there is a problem associated with difficulty within the Social Security systems in the verification of identities of persons who should benefits from the funds (Morton, 2014, p.78). As Morton explains, there are also cases where disabled people mistreated after being taken through a long process of verification to determine whether they are involved in fraudulent practices (2014, p.78). It is later established that the accused person has a hidden form of disability. To solve this problem, the social security system should be made stronger and solid. Precisely, easier ways to establish whether the reported person has any form of disability and whether he is hiding any information about other income sources should be established. This can be achieved through establishing a research center and also through establishing a connection with other government systems where information about US residents can be easily accessed (Morton, 2014, p.78).

In most cases, the citizens who volunteer to report fraudulent practices related to the Social Security and Disability funds are reluctant to give their one personal information. This is because they fear that their identity may be revealed, which may lead to conflict with the accused and other persons surrounding the accused persons (Morton, 2012, p.103). In some cases, the person reporting the claim may not give sufficient information about the person involved in fraudulent practice. The Attorney General or the Social Security Administration may require additional information, especially where the accused is a scam artist. However, it may be difficult to obtain such information when the person who reports the issue does not give personal information. This problem may give a leeway for a person involved in the malpractice to continue engaging in the vice. This problem can be solved easily through establishing ways of hiding the identity of the person who presents claims. Also, the announcements should be made via the media that the identity of a person who presents the fraud claims will not be revealed. The citizens should be encouraged to give personal information, such as name, contacts and address (Morton, 2012, p.103).

Lastly, there are numerous cases where fraudulent persons present themselves as representatives of disabled persons, they collect the money and use it to benefit themselves. A good example is a case that occurred in October 11, in which four individuals were arrested and charged with such crime (Cane & Atiyah, 21). They collected Social Security benefits on behalf of four mentally disabled persons and used the money for their own benefits, instead of using it to support the disabled persons. This kind of problem can be eliminated through registering the genuine representatives of disabled persons who are unable to collects the benefits, and ensuring that the benefits are only collected by the registered persons.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Social Security and disability benefits are essential for the disabled persons so that they are not doomed into a life of extreme poverty. The money is meant to cater for the basic needs of the disabled persons. However, there are persons who abuse the program through obtaining the funds fraudulently. All the loopholes through which such fraud takes place should be determined and sealed to ensure that the funds are not wasted and that they benefit the intended persons.

Works Cited

Federal Government. Social Security Handbook 2010: Overview of Social Security Programs.

California: Bernan Press, 2010

Hill, Kathleen and Gerald N. Hill . Encyclopedia of Federal Agencies and Commissions.

Washington DC: Infobase Publishing, 2009

Morton, David, A. Nolo’s Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting & Keeping Your Benefits.

New York: Nolo, 2012

Morton, David, A. Nolo’s Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting and Keeping Your

Benefits. New York: Nolo, 2014

Cane, Peter and Patrick Atiyah Atiyah’s. Accidents, Compensation and the Law. Washington

DC: Cambridge University Press, 2013