May is Public Assistance Fraud Awareness Month in Ohio, and the Hardin County Department of Job and Family Services is spreading the word that “Fraud Costs All of Us.” Hardin County is reaching out to public assistance applicants that visit the agency in the month of May to promote Fraud Awareness and encourage proper reporting.

“Events are being planned and awareness materials are being distributed throughout the county in an effort to educate the public and local officials on the consequence of public assistance fraud,” said DJFS Director John C. Folk.

In 2017, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services disbursed about $2.2 billion in SNAP food assistance, $238 million in Ohio Works First cash assistance and nearly $632 million in child care provider subsidies.

Individuals who mislead caseworkers or provide false information on an application for benefits account for a very small percentage of the funding disbursed, but the department takes even the smallest fraud cases very seriously. 

“If a recipient commits fraud they will be disqualified and cannot receive benefits for a designated period of one year, two years or permanently, depending on the nature of their charge and history of prior offenses,” stated DJFS Fraud Investigator, Jessica Osborn.

“While most of our clients give honest, accurate accounts of their need, we take allegations of fraud very seriously, because taxpayers expect public programs to be trustworthy,” Director Folk reinforced.

Applicants and recipients of public assistance programs are encouraged to report their circumstances accurately and timely in order to avoid facing potential criminal charges, program disqualification and repayment of benefits issued improperly. Residents of Hardin County may report suspected public assistance fraud by calling the Hardin County Department of Job and Family Services at 419-675-1130 or going towww.jfs.ohio.gov/fraud.