March 7, 2025
Staff
March 7, 2025
New York State’s Office of the Welfare Inspector General (OWIG) handled nearly 1,000 complaints and secured close to $600,000 in fraud-related restitution in 2024, according to its newly released annual report. The report highlights OWIG’s investigative efforts to combat fraud and protect public assistance programs across the state.
“The OWIG Annual Report reflects our dedication to safeguarding public assistance programs from fraud and abuse,” said Welfare Inspector General Lucy Lang. “We understand the critical role these programs play for the most vulnerable New Yorkers, and we are committed to ensuring that benefits remain available to those who truly need them.”
Since Lang appointed Andrew Weiss as Attorney-in-Charge in August 2024, OWIG has expanded oversight practices, focusing on investigations, interagency collaboration, and training initiatives. The office investigated 990 complaints statewide, uncovering fraudulent schemes involving identity theft, misrepresentation of income, and illegal collection of disability and SNAP benefits. These efforts led to nine prosecutions, pleas, and sentencings.
OWIG strengthened its investigative reach through partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies. Managing Investigator Jason Fazio worked with the Department of Justice’s COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, while Lang met with U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) officials to address unemployment insurance fraud. The DOL’s Office of the Inspector General has identified nearly $47 billion in potential fraud since 2020, underscoring the scale of the issue.
Beyond enforcement, OWIG assisted local social services districts in eligibility reviews and responded to public inquiries regarding social services access, child welfare, and benefit eligibility.