The Social Security Administration (SSA) paid violent sexual predators nearly $524,000, in violation of federal law.
According to a new audit by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the SSA awarded benefits to 18 sexual predators after they were moved from prison to Special Commitment Centers (SCC).
SCCs, such as the one on McNeil Island in Washington state, are mental health centers designated only for violent sex offenders after they complete their prison sentence to protect public safety.
"Our review indicated that, after states transferred these sexual predators from prison to an SCC, the individuals contacted SSA to apply for benefits or request resumption of payments that SSA had suspended while they were incarcerated," the OIG said. "While benefit suspension provisions continued to apply to these individuals, a mechanism had not been established to ensure SCCs reported inmate information to SSA. Consequently, SSA did not have the information it needed to prevent initiation of payments to these individuals."
As a result, 18 violent sexual predators who were "involuntarily confined" in four SCCs across the country received $523,987 in benefits.
"Federal law requires that the Social Security Administration (SSA) suspend benefit payments to certain individuals who are in institutions as sexually dangerous persons," the OIG noted.
The findings follow an audit report in 2012 that identified 14 sexual predators who had received $500,000 in government benefits while confined in an SCC in Washington state.
The OIG said the names of the 18 individuals they identified were given to the SSA, who suspended their benefits.
The list included 11 sexual predators confined to an SCC is California, and seven others in Florida, Kansas, and North Dakota.
In one case, a sexual predator called a government 1-800 number and successfully secured disability benefits even though he was confined to an SCC.
The SSA approved his claim even though he presented medical documents from the confinement center.
"He also provided SSA with SCC medical documentation indicating he had lung cancer," the audit said. "SSA approved the claim, unaware the claimant was confined in an SCC."
After the agency was presented the case from the OIG, the SSA "determined the man was not eligible for any of the SSI payments he received, suspended the payments, and assessed a $3,610 overpayment."
In another example, a sexual predator in Kansas was able to successfully apply for benefits online, receiving $37,568 beginning in 2009.