Welfare Fraud is fraud against the programs of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), including unlawful practices in obtaining cash assistance, medical assistance, and/or food assistance. It is the intentional misstatement or failure to reveal information affecting eligibility resulting in an overpayment. For further information about fraud against DSHS, please review the Eligibility A-Z Manual Fraud Section, or see the entire EAZ Manual.
The Office of Fraud and Accountability (OFA) has the authority to investigate the following allegations:
Unreported Employment: The client is suspected of not reporting employment.
Unearned Income: The client is suspected of not reporting the receipt of recurring income not derived from employment.
Unreported Assets: The client is suspected of having one or more of the following assets: Real estate, vehicles, boats, motor homes, non-recurring monetary holdings, etc.
Unreported Child Support: The client is suspected of receiving unreported child support payments.
Unreported Marriage: The client is suspected of not reporting a marriage that may affect the grant amount.
Absent Parent in Home: The client is suspected of not reporting the presence of an absent parent in the home. This includes stepparents.
Child Out of Home: The client is suspected of applying for or receiving benefits for a child not present in the home.
Household Composition: The client is suspected of receiving assistance for an ineligible dependent or has not accurately reported the correct number of persons living in the household.
Address Verification: The client is suspected of not reporting their address information correctly.
Duplicate Grants: The client is suspected of applying for or receiving grants under multiple names.
False Identity: The client is suspected of submitting false identification to apply for or obtain a grant; or may be working under a false identity.
Felony Drug Conviction/Warrant: The client is suspected of having a felony drug conviction after August 26, 1996, or is wanted on an outstanding felony warrant, which would make the client ineligible for welfare benefits.
Child Care Fraud: The client is suspected of improperly receiving child care payments or reporting a false provider.
EBT Fraud: The client is suspected of fraudulently using their Quest card or allowing their Quest card to be used by an unauthorized person.
Other: The client is suspected of any other improper procedure not covered by the other categories.
Washington State Welfare Fraud Hotline: 1-800-562-6906
OFA investigates Welfare Fraud in the state of Washington. The word Welfare is used to include: Public Assistance programs and benefits; food stamps; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Quest card, which is used for Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT); and Childcare benefits.
For additional questions or if you are Law Enforcement, you can leave a message, and your call will be returned within 24 hours at 360-664-5505.