BOSTON — State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office released a Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI) report on Wednesday, Sept. 30, detailing more than $10.6 million in public benefit fraud throughout the Commonwealth during the first half of 2026.
The report covers the periods from Jan. 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026, and April 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026, and summarizes the bureau’s investigations into fraud, abuse, and other illegal activity involving public assistance programs throughout Massachusetts.
The Bureau of Special Investigations operates within the Office of the State Auditor and investigates allegations of fraud involving public assistance programs throughout Massachusetts.
According to the Office of the State Auditor, the Bureau of Special Investigations investigated 2,223 cases during the six-month period, with overpayments in 402 cases in which fraud was identified.
The BSI report identified $10,612,582 in fraudulent overpayments.
| Public assistance program | Fraud identified |
|---|---|
| MassHealth/Medicaid | $6,051,185 |
| Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | $3,854,119 |
| Personal Care Attendant (PCA) | $538,332 |
| Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) | $130,483 |
| Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC) | $38,463 |
| Total | $10,612,582 |
MassHealth and Medicaid accounted for the largest portion of the identified fraud, totaling more than $6 million. SNAP accounted for approximately $3.85 million.
DiZolgio’s office also identified $538,332 in Personal Care Attendant program fraud, $130,483 involving Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children, and $38,463 involving Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children.
“These important programs are meant for the people who need them – not for those looking to game the system,” DiZoglio said. “When someone commits fraud, they’re taking resources away from the people these programs were created to serve. Our office will continue to work with our partners to identify fraud because taxpayers deserve to have their hard-earned money protected.”
Potential public benefit fraud can be reported to the bureau at (617) 727-6771 or through the Office of the State Auditor’s website.
