Puerto Rico Disability Claims Under Probe

Allegations of widespread fraud in Social Security disability claims in Puerto Rico are being investigated by the SSA’s inspector general.

The investigation stems from the closing of a pharmaceutical plant where 290 of 300 laid off workers filed for disability benefits using the same doctor, The Wall Street Journal reported.

{snip}

A March Wall Street Journal story found that in 2010 benefits were awarded in 63.4 percent of cases in Puerto Rico, far higher than in other locations. The Journal report also found that nine of the 10 top U.S. zip codes for workers collecting Social Security disability benefits are in Puerto Rico.

A Social Security Administration spokesman said in light of “statistical trends” in Puerto Rico it has asked the inspector general’s office to “make sure that these trends do not reflect an increase in fraud,” the Journal reported. {snip}