Human Services Department

Fraud & Program Integrity

Fraud Reduction and Elimination Effort (FREE) Program

The purpose of the FREE Program is to reduce public assistance fraud, waste and abuse by ensuring benefits and services are received by eligible individuals, and in the correct amount; and the administration and delivery of benefits are carried out with integrity and efficiency in compliance with state/federal regulations. In carrying out this purpose, FREE acts both to prevent fraud and to establish fraud that has occurred. It is the responsibility of the program to establish and define patterns of fraud abuse and to recover overpaid public assistance funds.

What is fraud?  

Fraud is the knowing act of deceit or suppression of the truth by one in order to take something of value from another. Public Assistance fraud occurs when an individual deliberately or willfully provides false information about his/her or another person’s circumstances, or intentionally fails to report changes, in order to receive or attempt to receive benefits to which he or another person is not eligible. Fraud exists when an individual actually knows the information provided was in fact false.

How do I report suspected fraud?

You may call Chesapeake Social Service Fraud Unit by dialing (757) 382-2114 or (757) 382-2320.