Integrity Program

The Harnett County Program Integrity Unit consists of two Certified Investigators, with combined experience of 31 years. Harnett County has enjoyed many successes in this Unit. We remain in the top ten counties for collections in the Food Stamp Program. This has been true even when the Unit was not fully staffed.

Harnett County Program Integrity is continuing to find new and inventive ways to discover welfare cheats. With the help of our new front-end investigation policy effective January 1, 1999 and Project Recall we have been able to save the Taxpayers thousands of dollars each month by stopping abuse before it starts or preventing further abuse of Social Services Programs. Effective August 1, 1999, Harnett County took a harder line against welfare fraud by initiating an updated policy on prosecuting welfare fraud. In a joint effort with Program Integrity Supervisor, Mary Avery, we were able to come up with a policy that is tougher on those who feel cheating is the answer to their problems. Harnett County has averaged ten to twenty prosecutions per year. This number will increase with the new policy.

Harnett County Program Integrity has always taken an aggressive approach to collections. We have a monthly billing system that keeps us on top of delinquent accounts. During January 2006 through May 2006, the unit collected over $134,152.16. All delinquent accounts are subject to State and Federal tax intercept. If you would like to report anyone who you know may be committing welfare fraud in Harnett County, please call our Hotline number at (910) 893-7568. You may remain anonymous when you call.

Investigators are: Kiki Turner 910-814-6622

Brenda Greene 910-814-6621

Clerk: Jean Moore 910-814-6625