In the late 1990s, different government agencies joined forces to start the Cooperative Disability Investigations Program. The program is a joint initiative by the Social Security Administration and the Office of the Inspector General. These agencies work with State Disability and Determination Services (DDS) offices and local law enforcement offices to 
investigate suspicious Social Security claims that they think might be fraudulent.
Disability fraud includes claiming to be disabled when no disability exists, filing multiple disability applications, and lying about disabilities, work, or other activities on a disability application.
How a Cooperative Disability Investigation Works
Generally, a cooperative disability investigation happens as follows:
- A fraud referral is made to the appropriate Cooperative Disability Investigations unit. DDS or the Social Security Administration usually makes the referral. However, a referral may also be made by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Hearing Operations, a law enforcement agency, a private citizen, or an anonymous source.
- The Cooperative Disability Investigations Unit investigates. The Cooperative Disability Investigations Unit consists of a Special Agent from the Office of the Inspector General who serves as team leader. The other members of the team include state DDS employees, a Social Security Administration employee, and state or local law enforcement officers. The investigation may include a thorough review of your educational, work, and medical records, video surveillance of you whenever you leave your home, and third-party interviews.
- The Cooperative Disability Investigations Unit issues a report. The detailed report explains the investigation and the unit’s findings. It is sent to the state DDS office for review.
- DDS decides if fraud occurred and whether the applicant should get disability benefits. DDS decides whether the applicant should start or continue receiving benefits. If the person is already receiving disability benefits, then DDS may stop payments. In some cases, the case may be referred to the government for criminal prosecution.
The Office of the Inspector General estimates that from the time the program began in 1997 through May 2020, the Cooperative Disability Investigations Program saved the country approximately $4.2 billion in Social Security disability payments. Additionally, the Cooperative Disability Investigations Program saved an estimated $3.2 billion in non-Social Security government benefits such as Medicaid and food stamps.
What to Do If You’re the Subject of a Cooperative Disability Investigation
Since a cooperative disability investigation could result in a report that prevents you from receiving Social Security disability benefits, it is important to understand your rights if you are the subject of an investigation. Specifically, you have the right to:
- Review the Report of Investigation. The report is part of your claims file, and as a disability claimant, you have the right to access your file.
- Challenge the significance of evidence included in the Report of Investigation. You may, for example, present contradictory witnesses or provide evidence that the events described in the report are isolated occurrences that do not accurately reflect your condition.
In many cases, the goal of the investigation was to prove that you should not get disability benefits, and you should examine everything in the report with that premise in mind.
Get the Social Security Disability Benefits You Deserve
You worked hard to pay into the Social Security system. Now that you are disabled and meet the qualifications for disability benefits, you deserve to get the benefits you’ve earned. You may face an uphill battle, but there are two critical things that you can do to get benefits.
First, you can always be truthful on your Social Security disability application. Then, there will not be anything to dispute during an investigation or in an investigation report. There simply won’t be any discrepancy for investigators to find.
Second, you can contact an experienced New England Social Security disability lawyer who will prepare your initial application, appeal a denial of disability benefits if necessary, and make sure that all of your rights are protected. Call us or contact us through this website to protect your disability benefits if you are applying for benefits, or have already applied for benefits, in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or New Hampshire.
Are You Looking for a Social Security Disability Attorney in Natick, MA?
If you are looking to apply for social security disability, you need to speak with an experienced social security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 508.283.5500 to schedule your free consultation.
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