We All Pay for Welfare Fraud Most South Dakotans who receive welfare benefits have a legitimate need for assistance. Unfortunately, a few people intentionally obtain benefits they don't deserve. These people are committing welfare fraud.
Welfare fraud creates a burden for taxpayers by increasing the cost of welfare programs.
ORI investigates all clearly defined allegations. If the investigation finds that the violation was intentional, the case is either referred to Administrative Hearings for a hearing or, in more severe cases, to a special assistant attorney general for prosecution. If a case is sent to Administrative Hearings, a hearing examiner decides whether the violation was intentional. The recipient could also be denied benefits for specific periods of time as indicated above. If the fraud investigator finds that the violation was not intentional, there is no prosecution.