VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS The Department of the Family and PR-DDS acknowledge the audit finding regarding the differences identified between the balances reported on Form SSA-4513, the PRIFAS accounting records, and the supporting documentation for unliquidated obligations. To address this issu...
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS The Department of the Family and PR-DDS acknowledge the audit finding regarding the differences identified between the balances reported on Form SSA-4513, the PRIFAS accounting records, and the supporting documentation for unliquidated obligations. To address this issue, the following corrective actions will be implemented: 1. Monthly meetings will be held between the Department of the Family’s Finance staff and PR-DDS administrative and fiscal personnel to review and monitor all outstanding obligations and any differences identified between the PRIFAS records and the reports prepared for the Social Security Administration (SSA). 2. A formal monthly reconciliation will be performed between the balances reported on Form SSA-4513 and the financial records maintained in PRIFAS. Any discrepancies identified will be analyzed, documented, and supported with appropriate evidence. 3. Differences between the PRIFAS records and valid obligations that are not reflected in the system will be explained and documented in the comments section of Form SSA-4513, as applicable. 4. The review process for unliquidated obligations will be strengthened through periodic evaluations to identify obligations that should be modified, liquidated, or canceled in accordance with SSA requirements. 5. Written internal procedures will be developed for the preparation, review, and approval of Form SSA-4513, including the retention of supporting documentation necessary to substantiate the reported balances. Management further notes that certain obligations related to Medical Evidence of Record (MER) and Applicant Travel (AT) are authorized and monitored by PR-DDS before the related disbursements occur. These obligations are not recorded in the PRIFAS accounting system until payment is processed by the Special Payments Office (OPE). As a result, temporary differences may exist between the balances reflected in PRIFAS and the unliquidated obligations reported on Form SSA-4513. To address this situation, PR-DDS and the Department of the Family’s Finance Office have established a monthly reconciliation process to identify, document, and explain all temporary differences between PRIFAS records and the obligations maintained by PR-DDS. In addition, any significant differences will be properly disclosed and explained in the comments section of Form SSA-4513 and supported by the appropriate documentation. IMPLEMENTATION DATE The monthly meetings and formal reconciliation process began during Fiscal Year 2026 and will continue an ongoing basis. Expected Completion Date: September 30, 2026 RESPONSIBLE PERSON Ramón Luis Vargas Escalante Chief Accountant of Finance