Lorain County Job & Family Services

Fraud Hotline

What is public assistance fraud?

  • Public assistance fraud is intentionally lying about income or circumstances in order to receive benefits, and/or the failure to reveal information which affects eligibility for benefits

What are the different types of public assistance fraud?

  • Child care provider fraud - for example, a provider billing the county for child care services that weren't provided
  • Child care assistance fraud
  • SNAP recipient fraud --for example, a person failing to report income or employment, or a person failing to report their spouse/significant other in the home
  • SNAP store fraud - for example, a storeowner knowingly accepting SNAP benefits in exchange for alcohol, tobacco, or other non-food items
  • Medicaid Provider fraud - for example, a doctor's office billing Medicaid for services that were not performed
  • Medicaid recipient fraud
  • OWF (Cash Assistance) recipient fraud

Who can report public assistance fraud?

  • ANYONE can report public assistance fraud anonymously to LCJFS

How can I report public assistance fraud?

  • E-mail us by selecting the Fraud Department on the following link:  http://www.lcdjfs.com/contact-us
  • E-mail the State using the following website:  http://jfs.ohio.gov/fraud/index.stm
  • Print off the Fraud Reporting Form and submit to LCJFS

  • Call the LCJFS Call Center at 1-844-640-6446 and tell the Customer Service Specialist that you want to report a fraud claim 

  • Toll-Free, call LCJFS at 1-800-808-2991 and ask for the Public Assistance Fraud Unit.