Our Approach

What We Do

The Bureau of Public Assistance Investigations (BPAI) employs a multi-faceted approach that focuses on detection, prevention, mitigation and education to ensure program integrity.

We strive to ensure public assistance benefits are allocated appropriately and only reach eligible applicants.

This is achieved through investigators that are highly trained and sworn peace officers. Each investigator is a sworn peace officer required to attend a law enforcement academy prior to employment and is certified by the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) (California Law Enforcement Agencies).

Our goal is to identify discrepancies at the earliest onset and through education, empower customers to make informed decisions that will lead to self-sufficiency.

BPAI is administered by the leadership of the Department of Child Support Services but is glass-walled from child support related cases, only focusing on investigations to safeguard the integrity of public assistance programs.