Gov. Tom Corbett recently signed into law a bill to implement fraud detection and prevention mechanisms for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Weatherization Assistance Program reports State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).
Act 164 of 2012 strengthens fraud reporting measures, expands whistleblower protections, and requires the use of the Income Eligibility Verification System to determine the eligibility of LIHEAP applicants. In addition, the new law requires periodic performance audits by the Pennsylvania Auditor General.
Jack Wagner, Pennsylvania’s current auditor general, uncovered a LIHEAP fraud ring in Philadelphia in which 16 people, including several state employees, were charged with stealing more than $500,000 worth of LIHEAP funds. His audits also uncovered cases of recipients receiving benefits by using the Social Security numbers of deceased individuals.