Seven State Employees Pilfer State Assistance Accounts Get Fired
January 17, 2025 – Seven state employees have been terminated for improperly accessing and, in some cases, stealing money from accounts of thousands of Texans who rely on Medicaid, food stamps, and other public assistance programs. The Texas Tribune confirmed the misconduct following an investigation into the employees’ actions, which involved unauthorized access to sensitive information and misappropriation of funds meant for vulnerable residents.
On Friday, the social services agency will begin notifying all 61,404 individuals by first-class mail of the breach and that the state will be offering two years of free credit monitoring to them. Those who believe they were affected by the breach can call 866-362-1773 with questions and use the reference number B138648.
The employees, who worked for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), reportedly exploited their positions to manipulate account data. This breach has raised significant concerns about the integrity of systems designed to provide critical support to low-income families, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly. Investigators discovered that some employees used their access to divert funds from public assistance programs for personal gain, betraying the trust placed in them by both the state and its residents.
In response to the violations, HHSC has implemented stricter monitoring and security measures to prevent future misconduct. Officials are working to identify all affected individuals and restore any stolen funds. The commission emphasized its commitment to accountability and protecting the resources Texans depend on.
The incident has drawn criticism from advocacy groups and state leaders, who are calling for greater transparency and oversight in public assistance programs. They stress the importance of ensuring that the safety net remains intact for those who need it most. This breach underscores the need for robust safeguards to maintain public confidence in the programs designed to provide critical support.
As investigations continue, the state has pledged to pursue legal action against the terminated employees and ensure justice for those impacted by their actions. For Texans relying on these programs, the situation highlights the importance of vigilant stewardship of public resources.
