Bureau of Special Investigations Quarter One & Two Report - Fiscal Year 2026

During Quarters 1 and 2 of fiscal year 2026, BSI identified $4,486,102 in fraud and had $392,713 in civil recoveries.

About the Bureau of Special Investigations

Operating as a division within the Office of the State Auditor, the Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) is charged with investigating allegations of public assistance fraud throughout the Commonwealth. BSI fraud examiners help ensure taxpayer dollars used to fund Massachusetts’ public benefits programs are managed effectively so that programs are available to residents who truly need them.

Pursuant to M.G.L. c.11, §17, BSI’s investigative authority extends to any assistance program administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and the Division of Medical Assistance, which administers MassHealth (the state’s Medicaid program). Although the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is not included in BSI’s enabling statute, BSI also works with EEC through a Memorandum of Understanding. As a result of BSI’s investigations, public assistance fraud cases are referred to agencies for administrative action, fraudulent overpayments are recovered through civil agreements, individuals are disqualified from programs for specified periods of time, and cases are prosecuted in state and federal courts.

BSI fraud examiners operate from six offices across the Commonwealth. BSI consists of three separate investigative units: the Central Processing Unit; the Fraud Investigations Unit; and the Data Analytics Unit. While each unit has its own specific concentration, there is extensive cross-unit collaboration and investigations often involve overlap. BSI also participates in joint investigations and task forces with other state and federal agencies that focus on combating fraudulent activities throughout the Commonwealth. BSI cases are enforced by other agencies and may be settled through civil recoupment or criminal prosecution. BSI is not enabled under our governing statute to collect settlement payments of any kind; the individual benefit programs are responsible for collection activities related to BSI cases.

During Quarters 1 and 2 of fiscal year 2026, BSI investigated a total of 1,847 cases. There were overpayment calculations in 317 cases with identified fraud. Further details regarding these 317 cases are below. 

Summary of Investigations Completed with Fraud Identified - FY26 Q1 & Q2

Assistance type	Amount	% of total*
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)	$2,482,378	55.3%
MassHealth/Medicaid	$1,717,084	38.3%
Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)	$144,664	3.2%
Personal Care Attendant (PCA)1	$88,962	1.9%
Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC)	$30,572	0.7%
Department of Early Education & Care (EEC)	$22,442	0.5%
Grand Total	$4,486,102	100%
Restitution Settlements (Civil Recoveries)2	$392,713

^{*Percentages do not total 100% due to rounding.} 

During Quarter 1 of fiscal year 2026, BSI investigated a total of 934 cases. There were overpayment calculations in 149 cases with identified fraud. Further details regarding these 149 cases are below. 

Summary of Investigations Completed with Fraud Identified - FY26 Q1

Assistance Type	Amount	%of total*
MassHealth/Medicaid	$934,896	45.9%
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)	$926,566	45.5%
Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)	$84,767	4.2%
Department of Early Education & Care (EEC)	$47,405	2.3%
Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC)	$22,442	1.1%
Grand Total	$2,037,870	100%
Restitution Settlements (Civil Recoveries)	$203,094

*Percentages do not total 100% due to rounding. 

During Quarter 2 of fiscal year 2026, BSI investigated a total of 913 cases. There were overpayment calculations in 168 cases with identified fraud. Further details regarding these 168 cases are below. 

Summary of Investigations Completed with Fraud Identified - FY26 Q2

Assistance Type	Amount	% of total
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)	$1,555,812	63.5%
MassHealth/Medicaid	$782,188	31.9%
Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)	$59,897	2.4%
Personal Care Attendant (PCA)	$41,557	1.7%
Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC)	$8,778	0.4%
Grand Total	$2,448,232	100%
Restitution Settlements (Civil Recoveries)	$189,619

1. PCA cases identify MassHealth overpayments for PCA services; overpayments for member healthcare benefits are identified as Medicaid.
2. BSI is unable to report on monthly collections or circumstances that produce shortfalls in collections. Restitution settlements are ongoing and continue beyond the issuance of this report. While this report informs the public of what we have found to date, benefit programs require time to implement and manage collections. 

Date published:	March 13, 2026