Wayne County JFS urges reporting of benefit fraud

Wayne County’s Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) is stepping up its outreach ahead of May’s Fraud Awareness Month, urging residents to report suspected misuse of public benefits.

The agency’s investigators evaluate referrals, verify information and determine whether an overpayment resulted from an honest mistake or an intentional violation. Unintentional errors are typically resolved through education and restitution plans, while intentional cases may be forwarded to prosecutors.

“We take fraud seriously because it doesn’t just affect our clients. It affects the community as a whole and what we’re able to do and provide for Wayne County,” said Wayne County Department of Job and Family Services Director Lisa Gunnels.

In the most recent fiscal year, the unit established 140 claims totaling about $270,000 and collected nearly $280,000 in repayments across newly and previously established cases, according to agency figures. Because collections often continue on prior-year claims, annual recovery totals can exceed the value of claims established in a single year.

While every case is different, investigators say common red flags include:

—Unreported household members, especially a wage-earning parent living in the home, can significantly change eligibility.

—Unreported employment or income, including side jobs.

—Claiming children who do not live in the household.

—Duplicate participation across states, detected through federal data matches for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

—Sharing or selling SNAP cards intended for the household to which they are issued.

According to officials at the department, the county primarily investigates cases involving SNAP, the federal nutrition program formerly known as food stamps. Fraud involving retailers or schemes crossing county or state lines is referred to law enforcement, which has broader jurisdiction.

When overpayments occur, investigators aim to educate clients and prevent similar issues from recurring. Budget recalculations and face-to-face meetings help households understand what happened, why it happened and how to avoid it in the future.

Many people seeking help are already facing difficult circumstances, and adding a repayment requirement can create additional hardship, underscoring the importance of not setting them up for failure.

When a household remains eligible, the agency often uses recoupment, slightly reducing monthly benefits to repay the overpayment. If a client is no longer on benefits, staff work to set manageable payment plans rather than triggering more severe offsets that can intercept tax refunds or other benefit payments.

With May designated as Fraud Awareness Month, Wayne County JFS plans community education efforts, including updated materials and outreach.

According to JFS officials, one way Ohioans can quickly and easily protect their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards is to use the lock and unlock feature in the official ConnectEBT app. By downloading the app, logging in securely and selecting the “Lock My Card Everywhere” option, users can prevent unauthorized use of their Ohio Direction Card and keep their benefits safe. When making a purchase, the card can be temporarily unlocked and then locked again after checkout. The ConnectEBT app, available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play, is the only official SNAP app for Ohio, and users are encouraged to avoid unofficial apps that may put their benefits at risk.

How to report suspected fraud:

—Residents can report anonymously and confidentially.

—Online: via the Wayne County Department of Job and Family Services website at jfs.ohio.gov/fraud.

—In person: by stopping into the agency.

—By phone: through the agency’s fraud reporting line at 330.287.5800

Most referrals come from caseworkers or community tips. Investigators review each report, verify facts and proceed accordingly.

Dan Starcher is the communications coordinator for Wayne County.