Since we are on the topic of welfare fraud and helping out. Lets cover what exactly IS welfare fraud? Commonly welfare fraud is the obtaining and using of assistance using false information. Some examples are collecting unemployment while still working, not reporting a family member who has moved out or into a household where assistance is received or not reporting income that would be used to determine assistance eligibility.(Welfare Fraud, N.D.) This is very detrimental to the tax payers and those who deserve to receive services but might get denied. It is very scary to think that your family might be in trouble and unable to seek help, due to a family receiving help they don't truly need. Putting a stop to welfare fraud or even reducing it wouldnt guarantee that services will be given to everyone in need. But certainly would free them up for better opportunities should they be needed. If someone is found guilty of welfare fraud, consequences varies by each state. In some states restitution is all that is required. Other states possible jail time along with restitution and denial of ever receiving benefits is also a punishment. This does bring me back to my first post. Please contact about volunteering. Getting in the program so that stopping or at least help cut it down. Cite Page 1). Welfare Fraud(n.d.) obtained from www.ask.com on December 14th 2013

Why You Should Care

As with my last post, I suggested that a volunteer program be implimented in helping Income Maintance Workers with their heavy load of applicatiosn and reviews that they have. This heavy load keeps them bogged down and sometimes things get overlooked. Applications get passed for services when they are not truly eligible. The research is not fully done reguarding the information provided to see if applicants are truthful with the information they are supplying. Approximately 2% of those who recieve welfare services are commiting fraud.

That number rises to 69 percent when speaking about Unemployment insurance claims. But the one question unanswered is WHY?

There are a number of hotlines and websites where fraud can be reported, but why do you suppose that in the office itself, welfare fraud gets by. Sometimes its an issue of corruption such as in the story in San Diego where many officials were charged with corruption. (Reza,1992) Other information leads to belief that there is a lack of resources for offices conducting the review of applications. Many offices around the globe had been closed or cut back due to financial cut backs in state funding. http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/plan-to-cut-federal-spending Another way to do your part is to report those you know of or suspect of committed welfare fraud. (North West Justice Project 2013) Cited Resource 1). Reza, H.G., Bilbray Calls for Probe of Welfare Fraud Accusations , New York Times Rerieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1992-01-14/local/me-209_1_welfare-fraud-investigators on December 14th 2013 2). North West Justice Project, Welfare Fraud, retrieved from http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/resource/welfare-fraud-what-you-need-to-know#f on December 14th, 2013

Volunteer Opportunity

It has been brought to my attention that there is a lack of resources in our state and city offices regarding those who review applications for assistance. Namely welfare services. I think this would be a great time to implement a volunteer opportunity.

Wouldn't it be great to know that those receiving welfare assistance are authentic and truthful? Now of course no one can walk in off the street and demand to review applications. There will be an extensive screening program as well as classes on privacy and professionalism. NO DISCRIMINATION TOLERATED. This is just and idea I have but I think that if put into action it would get a lot of people involved instead of just sitting around complaining about it.

Lets get a hold of our local city and state officials and see what we can do to get this in place or at at least get them to open their minds to new advice because what they ar doing now just inst working. Far too many are getting away with receiving welfare under fraudulent circumstances! http://www.winnebagocountyiowa.gov/ here is the website to the local city officials. Lets give them something new to talk about!