Finding No.: 2021-024
AL Program: 17.225 - Unemployment Insurance
Area: Eligibility
Questioned Costs: $1,131,117
Contact Person(s): Zachary Taitano, PUA Program Manager, DOL
Corrective Action Plan:
Condition 1:
CNMI DOL agrees with audit findings for Condition 1 for all three Application ...
Finding No.: 2021-024
AL Program: 17.225 - Unemployment Insurance
Area: Eligibility
Questioned Costs: $1,131,117
Contact Person(s): Zachary Taitano, PUA Program Manager, DOL
Corrective Action Plan:
Condition 1:
CNMI DOL agrees with audit findings for Condition 1 for all three Application IDs indicated, as upon further review, Social Security Cards were not on file for claims identified. However, per the Benefits Rights Information (BRI) Handbook, and PL 116-136 CARES Act, claimants were only required to provide their full social security number. For each claim, the full SSN of claimant is provided and self-certified, on both the Initial Application and in each Weekly Certification.
Condition 2:
CNMI DOL agrees with this finding. Notably, this issue was identified and addressed through Fiscal Year 2020’s Single Audit. OPC 590093 was initiated on July 31, 2020 to send a Letter of Determination via the HireMarianas Portal’s internal messaging system. Moreover, the OPC also requested for all future payments that a Letter of Determination be issued once a payment is generated per user.
Condition 3:
CNMI DOL agrees with this finding, with respect to the SAVE Verification being necessary. However, upon further examination:
Application ID 398353: The applicant has a SAVE verification response uploaded to their HireMarianas Portal dated 05/23/2022.
Moreover, upon a further review of the USCIS-SAVE Database, the other Application IDs identified did not have a SAVE Verification initiated upon initial clearance. CNMI DOL has initiated a SAVE Verification for the remaining 3 users. The results are as follows:
Application ID 158179: This applicant is a Green Card holder and the SAVE response was returned immediately. A copy of the SAVE verification response for this user was uploaded to the applicant’s HireMarianas Portal on June 24, 2024. A Green Card holder meets the definition of a qualified alien.
Application ID 111798: This applicant is a CW-1 VISA holder. A SAVE verification was initiated on June 24, 2024 with the WAC Number indicated on the I-797A (Notice of Action) Form for the relevant period in time. A response was returned on July 5, 2024 stating that the applicant is employment authorized.
Application ID 399118: This applicant is a CW-1 VISA holder. A SAVE verification was initiated on June 24, 2024 with the WAC Number indicated on the I-797A (Notice of Action) Form for the relevant
period in time. A response was returned on July 5, 2024 stating that the applicant is employment authorized.
While CNMI DOL agrees with the fact that SAVE Verification was necessary prior to payment disbursement, it is important to note that all the indicated applicants were indeed qualified aliens per the PUA Program Guidelines
This issue was identified and addressed through Fiscal Year 2020’s Single Audit. OPC 590093 was initiated on July 31, 2020 to send a Letter of Determination via the HireMarianas Portal’s internal messaging system. Moreover, the OPC also requested for all future payments that a Letter of Determination be issued once a payment is generated per user.
Condition 4:
CNMI DOL agrees with this finding. Upon additional review of the current overpayment log, the Department was able to recollect a total of $19,354.17 from the applicants that were noted in the initial listing provided to the auditors. This leaves the updated remaining overpayment balance for FY 2021 at $1,128,975.35. Auditors were provided with the documentation to substantiate this on 06/24/2024. Recollection efforts are Ongoing.
Proposed Completion Date: Ongoing