NYC benefits fraud algorithms

Your request FOIL-2022-069-00018 has been successfully submitted to the Human Resources Administration (HRA).
The details of your request are shown below.

Request Title: NYC benefits fraud algorithms

Request Description: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records:

1) Documentation of all predictive analytics or machine learning systems used by the department to help identify fraudulent public benefits applications or claims. This should include:
- Contracts, statements of work, and comparable agreements between the department and outside vendors for the purchase of fraud detection programs
- RFPs and successful bidding documents for fraud detection programs
- Project overview documents for fraud detection systems, whether purchased from a vendor or built in-house.
- User manuals and training material for all fraud detection systems

I ask that all fees be waived as intend to use the requested records to further public understanding of public agencies and not for any commercial purpose. In the event you choose to impose fees, I request a detailed breakdown of the fees, including the hourly wage of each employee involved and an explanation justifying the employee hours required to fulfill the request.

Should you choose to reject this request or redact portions of responsive documents, I ask that you provide a detailed breakdown of the statutory exemptions and associated case law underlying your decision to withhold each/any portions from public review.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Todd Feathers

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Requester's Contact Information



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Todd Feathers

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You can view the request and take any necessary action at the following webpage: https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2022-069-00018. (https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2022-069-00018)

Dear Mr. Feathers,

I write in response to your FOIL request below, emailed January 31, 2022, seeking:

Documentation of all predictive analytics or machine learning systems used by the department to help identify fraudulent public benefits applications or claims ...

Contracts, statements of work, and comparable agreements between the department and outside vendors for the purchase of fraud detection programs

RFPs and successful bidding documents for fraud detection programs

Project overview documents for fraud detection systems, whether purchased from a vendor or built in-house.

User manuals and training material for all fraud detection systems

Before a determination can be rendered, further review is necessary to assess the potential applicability of exemptions set forth in FOIL, and whether the records can be located. Please be advised that this office receives numerous FOIL requests per month, which causes delays in our ability to respond to each request. Therefore, we estimate that we will be able to respond to your request within 90 days of this letter.

Thank you for your request, and please feel free to email with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Avraham Schmeidler | FOIL Assistant
OFFICE OF LEGAL AFFAIRS
150 Greenwich Street, 38th Floor, New York, NY 10007
T: 929-221-5431
schmeidlera@dss.nyc.gov<mailto:schmeidlera@hra.nyc.gov> | NYC.gov/dss<http://www1.nyc.gov/site/dss/index.page>

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If you have received this electronic transmission in error, delete it without copying or forwarding it and notify the sender of the error.

Dear Mr. Feathers,

I write in further response to your FOIL request below, emailed January 31, 2022, seeking:

Documentation of all predictive analytics or machine learning systems used by the department to help identify fraudulent public benefits applications or claims ...

Contracts, statements of work, and comparable agreements between the department and outside vendors for the purchase of fraud detection programs

RFPs and successful bidding documents for fraud detection programs

Project overview documents for fraud detection systems, whether purchased from a vendor or built in-house.

User manuals and training material for all fraud detection systems

Please be advised that the Agency does not use predictive analytics or machine learning techniques for fraud detection. Therefore, no records responsive to your request are maintained.

I hope you find this information helpful, and please feel free to call or email with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Avraham Schmeidler | FOIL Assistant
OFFICE OF LEGAL AFFAIRS
150 Greenwich Street, 38th Floor, New York, NY 10007
T: 929-221-5431
schmeidlera@dss.nyc.gov<mailto:schmeidlera@hra.nyc.gov> | NYC.gov/dss<http://www1.nyc.gov/site/dss/index.page>

[cid:image002.png@01D84293.A88C6AB0]

Together We Make a Difference for New Yorkers

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
If you have received this electronic transmission in error, delete it without copying or forwarding it and notify the sender of the error.