{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-526.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-526.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-526.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-526.html"}],"law_id":77559,"edition_id":1,"section_id":77559,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-526","catch_line":"Statewide fraud control program","history":"1992, c. 190, \u00a7 63.1-58.2; 1998, c. 775; 2000, c. 459; 2002, c. 747.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Department shall establish a statewide fraud control program to ensure that fraud prevention and investigation are pursued throughout the Commonwealth. The Board shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section.B\n\nEach local department shall establish fraud prevention and investigation units only insofar as money is appropriated therefor, which shall be staffed with sufficient qualified personnel to fulfill the regulations adopted by the Board. Solely for the purposes of obtaining motor vehicle licensing and registration information from entities within and without the Commonwealth, each local department fraud prevention and investigation unit shall be deemed to be a criminal justice agency as defined in § 9.1-101. The local departments may contract with other local departments to share a fraud prevention and investigation unit and may contract with private entities to perform fraud investigation. Any private entity performing fraud investigations shall comply with the requirements of § 30-138 and shall not be deemed to be a criminal justice agency.C\n\nThe duties of fraud units may include but shall not be limited to (i) developing methods to prevent the fraudulent receipt of public assistance administered by the local board and (ii) investigating whether persons who receive public assistance through the local board are receiving it fraudulently. The fraud unit shall provide whatever assistance is necessary to attorneys for the Commonwealth in prosecuting cases involving fraud.D\n\nThere is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Fraud Recovery Special Fund, hereafter referred to as “the Fund.” The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All overpayment moneys collected or recovered by local departments related to food stamp, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and other federal benefit programs administered by the Department net of any refunds due the federal government shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund, except as prohibited by federal law or regulation. Any moneys remaining in the Fund at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purpose of funding state and local fraud control programs.\n\t\t\tFunding for local and state fraud control activities shall be comprised of (i) general funds appropriated for this activity, (ii) any federal funds available for this purpose, and (iii) balances in the Fund.E\n\nLocal departments shall apply to the Commissioner for reimbursement from the Fund for the local share of direct costs. The Commissioner shall authorize reimbursements to the local departments from the Fund as provided in the general appropriation act. To receive or continue receiving reimbursements from the Fund, the local departments shall administer their fraud and investigation units in compliance with Board regulations. The number of local fraud workers for which the state will provide reimbursement in each locality shall be determined by Board regulations.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":278231,"text":"The Department shall establish a statewide fraud control program to ensure that fraud prevention and investigation are pursued throughout the Commonwealth. The Board shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":278232,"text":"Each local department shall establish fraud prevention and investigation units only insofar as money is appropriated therefor, which shall be staffed with sufficient qualified personnel to fulfill the regulations adopted by the Board. Solely for the purposes of obtaining motor vehicle licensing and registration information from entities within and without the Commonwealth, each local department fraud prevention and investigation unit shall be deemed to be a criminal justice agency as defined in § 9.1-101. The local departments may contract with other local departments to share a fraud prevention and investigation unit and may contract with private entities to perform fraud investigation. Any private entity performing fraud investigations shall comply with the requirements of § 30-138 and shall not be deemed to be a criminal justice agency.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":278233,"text":"The duties of fraud units may include but shall not be limited to (i) developing methods to prevent the fraudulent receipt of public assistance administered by the local board and (ii) investigating whether persons who receive public assistance through the local board are receiving it fraudulently. The fraud unit shall provide whatever assistance is necessary to attorneys for the Commonwealth in prosecuting cases involving fraud.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":278234,"text":"There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Fraud Recovery Special Fund, hereafter referred to as “the Fund.” The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All overpayment moneys collected or recovered by local departments related to food stamp, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and other federal benefit programs administered by the Department net of any refunds due the federal government shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund, except as prohibited by federal law or regulation. Any moneys remaining in the Fund at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purpose of funding state and local fraud control programs.\n\t\t\tFunding for local and state fraud control activities shall be comprised of (i) general funds appropriated for this activity, (ii) any federal funds available for this purpose, and (iii) balances in the Fund.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":278235,"text":"Local departments shall apply to the Commissioner for reimbursement from the Fund for the local share of direct costs. The Commissioner shall authorize reimbursements to the local departments from the Fund as provided in the general appropriation act. To receive or continue receiving reimbursements from the Fund, the local departments shall administer their fraud and investigation units in compliance with Board regulations. The number of local fraud workers for which the state will provide reimbursement in each locality shall be determined by Board regulations.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14573,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14331,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:43","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:43","permalink":{"id":271057,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14573,"identifier":"5","token":"63.2\/II\/5","url":"\/63.2\/II\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14331,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Assistance","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12789,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","permalink":{"id":271055,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14331,"identifier":"II","token":"63.2\/II","url":"\/63.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12789,"edition_id":1,"name":"Welfare (Social Services)","identifier":"63.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12789,"identifier":"63.2","token":"63.2","url":"\/63.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":57625,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-500","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/63.2-500\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-500","metadata":false},{"id":75440,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-501","catch_line":"Application for assistance","url":"\/63.2-501\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-501","metadata":false},{"id":83249,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-501.1","catch_line":"Application for public assistance; accurate contact information; authorized disclosures","url":"\/63.2-501.1\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-501.1","metadata":false},{"id":69115,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-502","catch_line":"False application or false swearing; penalty","url":"\/63.2-502\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-502","metadata":false},{"id":78403,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-503","catch_line":"Procedure upon receipt of application","url":"\/63.2-503\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-503","metadata":false},{"id":85810,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-503.1","catch_line":"Legal presence required for public assistance; exceptions; proof of legal presence","url":"\/63.2-503.1\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-503.1","metadata":false},{"id":72401,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-504","catch_line":"Decision of local department that applicant entitled to public assistance","url":"\/63.2-504\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-504","metadata":false},{"id":56053,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-505","catch_line":"Determining the amount of public assistance","url":"\/63.2-505\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-505","metadata":false},{"id":61829,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-505.1","catch_line":"Transitional food stamp benefits","url":"\/63.2-505.1\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-505.1","metadata":false},{"id":82597,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-505.2","catch_line":"Eligibility for food stamps; drug-related felonies","url":"\/63.2-505.2\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-505.2","metadata":false},{"id":81461,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-506","catch_line":"Public assistance not transferable or subject to execution","url":"\/63.2-506\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-506","metadata":false},{"id":68468,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-507","catch_line":"Personal representatives for recipients of public assistance funds","url":"\/63.2-507\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-507","metadata":false},{"id":68477,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-508","catch_line":"Fees for representing applicant or recipient","url":"\/63.2-508\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-508","metadata":false},{"id":81049,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-509","catch_line":"Public assistance subject to amendment or repeal of laws","url":"\/63.2-509\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-509","metadata":false},{"id":77010,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-510","catch_line":"Obligation of person to support certain children living in same home; penalty","url":"\/63.2-510\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-510","metadata":false},{"id":66353,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-511","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/63.2-511\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-511","metadata":false},{"id":67528,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-512","catch_line":"Recovery of public assistance erroneously paid","url":"\/63.2-512\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-512","metadata":false},{"id":70279,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-513","catch_line":"Notification of change in circumstances","url":"\/63.2-513\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-513","metadata":false},{"id":83840,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-514","catch_line":"Reconsideration or changes in amount of public assistance; cancellation","url":"\/63.2-514\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-514","metadata":false},{"id":61948,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-515","catch_line":"Notice to applicant or recipient of decision","url":"\/63.2-515\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-515","metadata":false},{"id":83455,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-516","catch_line":"Record of decision","url":"\/63.2-516\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-516","metadata":false},{"id":70973,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-517","catch_line":"Right of appeal to Commissioner","url":"\/63.2-517\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-517","metadata":false},{"id":58129,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-518","catch_line":"Action by Commissioner on appeal","url":"\/63.2-518\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-518","metadata":false},{"id":76684,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-519","catch_line":"Finality of decision of Commissioner","url":"\/63.2-519\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-519","metadata":false},{"id":62945,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-520","catch_line":"How public assistance paid","url":"\/63.2-520\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-520","metadata":false},{"id":81950,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-521","catch_line":"Change of residence","url":"\/63.2-521\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-521","metadata":false},{"id":58163,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-522","catch_line":"False statements, representations, impersonations and fraudulent devices; penalty","url":"\/63.2-522\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-522","metadata":false},{"id":66086,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-523","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of food stamps, electronic benefit transfer cards, and energy assistance prohibited; penalties","url":"\/63.2-523\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-523","metadata":false},{"id":76772,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-524","catch_line":"Denial of benefits upon finding of fraudulent acts","url":"\/63.2-524\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-524","metadata":false},{"id":61748,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-525","catch_line":"Payment by Department for legal services","url":"\/63.2-525\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-525","metadata":false},{"id":77559,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-526","catch_line":"Statewide fraud control program","url":"\/63.2-526\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-526","metadata":false},{"id":57585,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-527","catch_line":"Notice of earned income tax credit","url":"\/63.2-527\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-527","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":61748,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-525","catch_line":"Payment by Department for legal services","url":"\/63.2-525\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-525","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":57585,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-527","catch_line":"Notice of earned income tax credit","url":"\/63.2-527\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-527","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-526\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1992. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 190 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1992 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1998, chapter 775<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 459<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 747<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":74953,"section_number":"30-138","catch_line":"State agencies, courts, and local constitutional officers to report certain fraudulent transactions; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/30-138\/"},{"id":73488,"section_number":"9.1-101","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-101\/"}],"permalink":{"id":271179,"object_type":"law","relational_id":77559,"identifier":"63.2-526","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-526","url":"\/63.2-526\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-526\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-526","dublin_core":{"Title":"Statewide fraud control program","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-526","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall establish a statewide fraud<\/span> control program to ensure that fraud<\/span> prevention and investigation are pursued throughout the Commonwealth. The Board<\/span> shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Each local department<\/span> shall establish fraud<\/span> prevention and investigation units only insofar as money is appropriated therefor, which shall be staffed with sufficient qualified personnel to fulfill the regulations adopted by the Board<\/span>. Solely for the purposes of obtaining motor vehicle licensing and registration information from entities within and without the Commonwealth, each local department<\/span> fraud<\/span> prevention and investigation unit shall be deemed to be a criminal justice agency as defined in § 9.1-101<\/a>. The local departments<\/span> may contract<\/span> with other local departments<\/span> to share a fraud<\/span> prevention and investigation unit and may contract<\/span> with private entities to perform fraud<\/span> investigation. Any private entity performing fraud<\/span> investigations shall comply with the requirements of § 30-138<\/a> and shall not be deemed to be a criminal justice agency. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The duties of fraud<\/span> units may include but shall not be limited to (i) developing methods to prevent the fraudulent receipt of public assistance<\/span> administered by the local board<\/span> and (ii) investigating whether persons who receive public assistance<\/span> through the local board<\/span> are receiving it fraudulently. The fraud<\/span> unit shall provide whatever assistance is necessary to attorneys for the Commonwealth in prosecuting cases involving fraud<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Fraud<\/span> Recovery Special Fund, hereafter referred to as “the Fund.” The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All overpayment moneys collected or recovered by local departments<\/span> related to food stamp, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families<\/span>, and other federal benefit programs administered by the Department net of any refunds due the federal government shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund, except as prohibited by federal law<\/span> or regulation. Any moneys remaining in the Fund at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purpose of funding state and local fraud<\/span> control programs.\n\t\t\tFunding for local and state fraud<\/span> control activities shall be comprised of (i) general funds appropriated for this activity, (ii) any federal funds available for this purpose, and (iii) balances in the Fund. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Local departments<\/span> shall apply to the Commissioner<\/span> for reimbursement from the Fund for the local share of direct costs. The Commissioner<\/span> shall authorize reimbursements to the local departments<\/span> from the Fund as provided in the general appropriation act. To receive or continue receiving reimbursements from the Fund, the local departments<\/span> shall administer their fraud<\/span> and investigation units in compliance with Board regulations. The number of local fraud<\/span> workers for which the state will provide reimbursement in each locality shall be determined by Board regulations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSTATEWIDE FRAUD CONTROL PROGRAM (\u00a7 63.2-526)\n\nA. The Department shall establish a statewide fraud control program to ensure\nthat fraud prevention and investigation are pursued throughout the Commonwealth.\nThe Board shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section.\n\nB. Each local department shall establish fraud prevention and investigation\nunits only insofar as money is appropriated therefor, which shall be staffed\nwith sufficient qualified personnel to fulfill the regulations adopted by the\nBoard. Solely for the purposes of obtaining motor vehicle licensing and\nregistration information from entities within and without the Commonwealth, each\nlocal department fraud prevention and investigation unit shall be deemed to be a\ncriminal justice agency as defined in § 9.1-101. The local departments may\ncontract with other local departments to share a fraud prevention and\ninvestigation unit and may contract with private entities to perform fraud\ninvestigation. Any private entity performing fraud investigations shall comply\nwith the requirements of § 30-138 and shall not be deemed to be a criminal\njustice agency.\n\nC. The duties of fraud units may include but shall not be limited to (i)\ndeveloping methods to prevent the fraudulent receipt of public assistance\nadministered by the local board and (ii) investigating whether persons who\nreceive public assistance through the local board are receiving it fraudulently.\nThe fraud unit shall provide whatever assistance is necessary to attorneys for\nthe Commonwealth in prosecuting cases involving fraud.\n\nD. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to\nbe known as the Fraud Recovery Special Fund, hereafter referred to as “the\nFund.” The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All\noverpayment moneys collected or recovered by local departments related to food\nstamp, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and other federal benefit\nprograms administered by the Department net of any refunds due the federal\ngovernment shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund,\nexcept as prohibited by federal law or regulation. Any moneys remaining in the\nFund at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but\nshall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the\npurpose of funding state and local fraud control programs.\n\t\t\tFunding for local and state fraud control activities shall be comprised of\n(i) general funds appropriated for this activity, (ii) any federal funds\navailable for this purpose, and (iii) balances in the Fund.\n\nE. Local departments shall apply to the Commissioner for reimbursement from the\nFund for the local share of direct costs. The Commissioner shall authorize\nreimbursements to the local departments from the Fund as provided in the general\nappropriation act. To receive or continue receiving reimbursements from the\nFund, the local departments shall administer their fraud and investigation units\nin compliance with Board regulations. The number of local fraud workers for\nwhich the state will provide reimbursement in each locality shall be determined\nby Board regulations.\n\nHISTORY: 1992, c. 190, \u00a7 63.1-58.2; 1998, c. 775; 2000, c. 459; 2002, c. 747.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}