Detecting Fraud (repost)

I work as an attorney for a state agency, and wear a couple different hats, but the bulk of my work is handling child welfare cases.

I see some of both types indicated by the Atlantic article. The bureaucracy for both TANF, SNAP and Medicaid is unwieldy and simply does not move quickly. They have a common database, but manpower shortages means updates are slow.

This cuts both ways. Sometimes, someone just drops the ball and someone who shouldn't actually have qualified for food stamps or medicaid is approved. But sometimes people are denied. The system is pretty good about catching these eventually, but it happens.

But by the same token, resources in catching fraud are extremely limited, and the unweildy system works the same way. Take as an example, the republican Boogeyman, a lottery winner still receiving food stamps. This has happened on occasion and you can find stories.

SO you're recieving food stamps. You apply and once you've qualified, once a month a small amount is deposited onto a type debit card. (EBT card). If the government arbitrarily cuts that off, you get a limited form of due process, you can for an administrative hearing. But suppose you get a job? If you don't voluntarily tell someone, the system is usually going to keep working as intended, at least until taxes get reported, and filter back down through the system.

On the other hand, I see a fair amount of actual fraud. Or if not true fraud, questionable activity. The best example I see is the people in cases I have that are on disability. I see a great many people who are on disability and get SSI. Many of those disabilities, are in my opinion, very questionable. There are many ailments that can get one on disability that are difficult to detect and rely on self-reporting, and an industry of doctors who won't look too hard when you claim you have back pain and can't work. However, many of these doctors know that in this area? You can't find work anyway.