About The Public Assistance Fraud Unit
The OCDA Public Assistance Division (PAD) consists of Early Fraud Detection Units, a Criminal Investigation and Prosecution Unit, the In-Home Support Services Investigations Unit, and the Orange County Housing Authority Investigations Unit.
Public Assistance Investigators investigate various types of public assistance fraud including the illegal receipt of cash aid (CalWORKs), food stamps (CalFRESH), in-home support services, and housing benefits (Section 8). The goals of the OCDA Public Assistance Units are to preserve program integrity and maintain the public’s confidence in the various public assistance programs administered in Orange County. These investigations help to protect public funds from fraud and abuse and ensure that public funds are distributed to those truly in need.
The Public Assistance Division works closely with caseworkers from the Orange County Social Services Agency (SSA), the Orange County In-Home Support Services Agency (IHSS) and the Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) to prevent, detect and prosecute fraud. Criminal investigations conducted by these units are referred to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) for review and prosecution.
Reporting Public Assistance (Welfare) Fraud
What are the most common types of welfare fraud?
- Absent Parent in the home
- Unreported income
- Ineligible child(ren)
- Child(ren) not living in the home
Would you like to report welfare fraud?
Please complete the Public Assistance Division Online Fraud Tip Form or call our Fraud Tip line at (714) 347-8636.
Public Assistance Division Online Tip Form
By submitting this tip form, you agree to the following statement: I am submitting these allegations to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Public Assistance Division, for a law enforcement review. I understand that the agency will determine if criminal, civil or administrative action may be warranted.
Tips submitted to the agency are kept confidential to the extent allowed by law. If you choose to remain anonymous and exclude your contact information, the agency will not contact you.
NOTE: You will not be advised of the outcome of any investigation.
If you choose to remain anonymous, please provide as much detailed information as possible. Failure to provide detailed information can affect the Agency’s ability to address your tip effectively.By clicking the button above, it will be automatically emailed to OD-PAD@ocdapa.org.