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Not only are some receiving state and Federal benefits, but probably some are scamming even more. 20 years ago, I worked for a state social service. The AFDC caseworker showed me a document signed which adequately proved a client was scamming. Caseworker informed superiors who told her it was insignificant to pursue the issue--so drop it and process the scammer's benefits.

The scam was this:

The client has 2 kids, 2 different fathers. The kids each had 2 different Social Security numbers. The client filed for each kid under each SSN. Thus, 2 kids with 2 benefits each. Oh, but it gets better.....Since the local social service county borders on another state, not only was the client scamming my state with 2 claims per kid, but she was also scamming the adjoining state with 2 claims per kid.

And the state office(s) refused to pursue any action against the client. Our tax dollars at work.

And the state office(s) refused to pursue any action against the client. Our tax dollars at work.

My friend was involved in building a computerized system that easily found the fraud in one state. The system found people getting benefits that were married when they said they were not, found various assets that excluded the person from benefits, etc,etc. It worked so well that they state quit using the software.

My friend says that if each state simply pulled each SS# from their computers and compared them with all the other states they would find a large number of people double or triple dipping like you describe. Doing something like this would cost almost nothing.

The problem with the story that started this thread, which is a different problem from the Food Stamp/AFDC fraud problem, is that someone can pay into SS here for a few years then get the benefits forever. Which is similiar to the problem with illegals coming across the border and getting all sorts of free services. They have never invested a penny in this country but receive benefits native Americans that come from families that have paid in for generations cannot receive.

But what if Congress allows this? Big deal? This is the like system they have. The taxpayers pay most of Congress's freight and after a few years they get benefits forever.

This is no way to run a country.