Massachusetts Finds Millions More in Public Benefits Fraud

As debate rages nationally about investigating waste, fraud and abuse in government, including so-called entitlement programs, public benefits fraud continues to be a costly problem in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio's Bureau of Special Investigations uncovered over $2 million in fraud during the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 (running from October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024).

DiZoglio's office says, "For quarter two, BSI investigated a total of 971 cases and there were overpayment calculations in 153 cases with identified fraud."

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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) led the way with $1,239,688 million in fraud uncovered, followed by Medicaid ($536,800), Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children ($156,397), Department of Early Education and Care ($75,341), Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children ($31789) and Personal Care Attendant ($1,706).

The total fraud uncovered by BSI for just under three months was $2,041,723.

"When public benefits fraud occurs, it impacts the lives of everyday people across the Commonwealth who depend on these programs and services to purchase food or access care," DiZoglio said.

During the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2025, BSI identified $2,549,324.63 in fraud and had $457,616.10 in civil recoveries.

The Bureau of Special Investigations has 20 years of reports on public benefits fraud on its website. The numbers are astounding.

It is difficult to understand why there is so much resistance to finding waste, fraud and abuse in the national budget and eliminating it. One has to assume that playing politics is more important to some than saving money for the taxpayers.

Massachusetts is considering transitioning its SNAP EBT cards to include embedded chips to cut down on fraud and benefits theft.