Office of Investigations

The Office of Investigations conducts criminal investigations into allegations of fraud and misconduct related to SSA programs, operations, and employees. The office has strong relationships with U.S. Attorney’s Offices, as well as state and local prosecutorial offices. Investigative efforts may result in criminal or civil prosecutions, Civil Monetary Penalties, Administrative Sanctions, or Agency administrative actions.

The Office of Investigations has four divisions.

Field Operations includes 7 divisions which work closely with federal, state and local law enforcement partners, to include participation on several national task forces, to protect the integrity of SSA’s programs. These divisions also investigate allegations of retaliation against whistleblowers who have made protected disclosures.

Cooperative Disability Investigations Division has three divisions that provide investigative and operational oversight of the Cooperative Disability Investigations program, a key anti-fraud initiative that combats fraud within Social Security disability programs. This program accomplishes its mission by reviewing questionable disability claims and investigating cases of suspected disability fraud, to stop payment before it occurs, or as soon as fraud is suspected.

Office of the Chief Investigative Counsel includes two divisions. The Major Case Unit conducts complex criminal investigations that span multiple jurisdictions and involving multiple agencies. The Office of Special Reviews and Professional Responsibility conducts complex and sensitive oversight activities. These areas of oversight include whistleblower retaliation investigations, misconduct by SSA senior officials and OIG personnel and conducting special reviews.

Headquarters Operations includes four divisions. The Investigative Support Division has two teams. Both the Investigative Operations Team and the Policy Compliance Team provide investigative and policy support to Field Divisions on a variety of matters. The Digital Forensics and Analysis Division includes two units. The Digital Forensics Unit and the Intelligence and Analysis Unit provide subject matter expertise for digital forensics and specialized investigative and analytical support. The Administrative and Management Division manages training and general administrative matters. This division also coordinating with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and the Inspector General Criminal Investigator Academy. The Allegation Management and Fugitive Enforcement Division processes allegations from the public and leads OIG’s fugitive felon enforcement efforts. In addition, this division manages the OIG Hotline, which allows taxpayers to report fraud or suspicious activity related to account information or payments.