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Report Fraud
Fraud includes concealing or not reporting information in order to receive ineligible public assistance benefits (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program and Kinship Care Subsidy Program) and Electronic Benefit Transfer benefits.
How Can I Report Fraud?
If you suspect someone is illegally receiving public assistance benefits or is illegally using an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card:
Call (toll-free): 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578). Select option 6 from the main menu.
Email: [email protected]
Write:
Bureau of Appeals
P. O. Box 2944
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821
If you suspect retailers are accepting food stamp benefits for unauthorized items (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets), contact the USDA Food and Nutrition Services Compliance Section:
Call:
Email:
Visit Online:
Write:
- United States Department of Agriculture
Office of Inspector General
PO Box 23399
Washington, DC 20026-3399
Fraud Complaint Form
Please complete a complaint if you suspect a recipient is abusing public assistance (Food Stamps, Child Care, Cash Assistance, etc.), or if you suspect a retailer is purchasing Food Stamp benefits. To ensure that your complaint can be processed and/or investigated thoroughly, please provide as much information as possible.
To report your complaint directly to a Fraud & Recovery representative, you may call 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578) and select option 6 from the main menu.
Note: All fields marked with an asterisk ( * ) must be filled out for the complaint to be processed.
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Examples of Fraud
The following are examples of some of the things that people conceal or do not report in order to receive ineligible public assistance 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
EBT Card Fraud
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. Violations include:
- Retailer trafficking (buying or selling food stamp benefits)
- Recipient fraud (buying and selling cards or benefits)
- Counterfeit card schemes
Prohibition of Unauthorized Use or Purchases Made with the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card
Recipients of Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) and Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) are prohibited from using their FITAP or KCSP benefits in any Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) transaction or use the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at any of the following types of establishments:
- Liquor stores (this does not include grocery stores that sell liquor);
- Gambling casinos or gaming establishments (any place that allows gambling, but does not include a store that sells groceries and is housed in the same building as a casino);
- Adult bookstores, any adult paraphernalia store, or any sexually oriented business (strip clubs, etc.);
- Tattoo, piercing, or commercial body art facilities; any nail salons; any jewelry stores;
- Amusement rides, amusement attractions, or video arcades (including movie theaters);
- Bail bonds companies;
- Nightclubs, bars, taverns, or saloons;
- Cruise ships;
- Psychic businesses; or
- Any establishments where persons under age 18 are not permitted.
In addition, FITAP and KCSP recipients are prohibited from using their EBT card for the purchase of an alcoholic beverage (beer, wine, hard liquor), a tobacco product (cigarettes, etc.), a lottery ticket (including scratch-off tickets), or jewelry at any retailer.
Penalty
Failure to comply with these prohibitions is considered an Intentional Program Violation (IPV), and the penalty is full case closure:
- 12 months for the first offense,
- 24 months for the second offense, and
- Permanently for the third offense.
Reporting of Misuse of the EBT Card
The agency relies on retailers and the public to report the misuse of benefits. To report a complaint to the Fraud & Recovery Unit:
Call: 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578) and select Option 6 from the main menu.
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (225) 219-1663
Write:
Fraud and Recovery Unit
P.O. Box 91147
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9147
Investigating Fraud
LDH economic stability offices are responsible for providing assistance to needy individuals and are committed to maintaining the integrity of administered programs. Equally important is the agency's role in ensuring that the fraudulent receipt of such benefits is detected and that appropriate measures are taken to terminate ineligible cases and to recover ineligible benefits.
LDH is charged with the primary responsibility for fraud detection and recovery of ineligible benefits. This section is also responsible for the collection of overpayments to both recipients and providers.