Cooperative Disability Investigations Program Expands Reach of Anti-Fraud Efforts

The Inspector General for the Social Security Administration, Gail S. Ennis, today announced the expansion of the Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) program. CDI is a nationwide joint effort between the Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General to fight disability fraud and save money for taxpayers. The CDI Program has added three investigative units, in Bismarck, North Dakota; Boise, Idaho; and Helena, Montana; and the Puerto Rico CDI unit has expanded its coverage to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

CDI, established in 1997, combines resources and expertise from the Social Security Administration, its Office of the Inspector General, state disability determination agencies, and state or local law enforcement, to investigate, prevent, and deter Social Security disability fraud. The program now has 46 units covering 40 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It also covers the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“We are pleased to announce this expansion of the CDI Program as we move closer to our goal of covering all 50 States. CDI has a significant impact on the integrity of Social Security’s disability programs, and is an important resource for those making disability determinations,” said Inspector General Ennis. “This initiative is successful at preventing fraud in part due to the vital role of interagency partnerships, so we welcome Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota as they join this effort.”

SSA and OIG will continue to work together to provide CDI coverage for all 50 states by 2022, as required by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. By providing evidence to decision makers in the disability determination process, and pursuing criminal or civil penalties in many cases, CDI efforts have contributed to $4 billion in projected savings to Social Security’s programs and $220 million in recoveries, as well as $3 billion in projected savings to other Federal and State programs.

“Social Security has zero tolerance for fraud and we are committed to detecting and preventing it. Our CDI Program serves a vital role in that commitment,” said Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security. “We diligently work at the national and local levels to stop fraud and carry out our mission of delivering quality Social Security services to the public.”

Inspector General Ennis encourages anyone who suspects Social Security fraud to report it online at https://oig.ssa.gov.