Special Investigations Division

Welfare Fraud is any intentional action which results in a recipient receiving benefits or payments to which they are not entitled. In an effort to prevent fraud, the Special Investigations Division conducts investigations on applicants for public assistance. These investigations include a number of verification activities, including visits to the applicant's home. They are designed to verify the basic facts on the application.

In 2024, SID was able to recover $11.2 million through investigations and resource recoveries. In addition to this, SID completed 3,658 welfare fraud investigations leading to $6.5 million in cost avoidance.

Rectifying welfare fraud after it's occurred involves the use of 3 strategies: criminal prosecution, administrative sanctions and restitution. If fraud is alleged after a case has been opened, our team of investigators work to detect the fraud and ultimately prosecute civilly or criminally those individuals who have defrauded the public benefit system.

Any and all overextended benefits issued to ineligible recipients (intentionally or unintentionally) are pursued for collection via grant reduction, recoupment, judgments and income executions within the parameters of Social Service regulations and NYS law.

Telephone

Telephone Hot Line: 858-1886

E-Mail

E-Mail: fraudcomplaint@erie.gov

Postal Mail

Postal Mail:
ECDSS
Special Investigations Division
43 Court St. - 2nd floor
Buffalo, New York 14202