Finding Text
2024-002: Eligibility
Program: Commodity Supplemental Food Program (ALN 10.565) (Food Distribution Cluster)
Federal agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Pass-through entity name and identifying number:
District of Columbia Department of Health (CHA2022-000027)
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (1087608)
Maryland Department of Aging (N/A)
Federal Award Year: Year ended June 30, 2024
Program: Emergency Food Assistance Program (Administrative Costs) (ALN 10.568) (Food Distribution Cluster)
Federal agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Pass-through entity name and identifying number:
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) (67-150)
District of Columbia OSSE Wellness and Nutrition Services Division (CW102461)
District of Columbia Department of Health (N/A)
Maryland Department of Human Resources Family Investment Administration (FIA/FNS 23-012-FY23 and FIA/FNS 23-012-FY 24)
Federal Award Year: Year ended June 30, 2024
Program: Emergency Food Assistance Program (Commodities) (ALN 10.569) (Food Distribution Cluster)
Pass-through entity name and identifying number:
District of Columbia OSSE Wellness and Nutrition Services Division (CW102461)
District of Columbia Department of Health (N/A)
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) (67-150)
Maryland Department of Human Resources Family Investment Administration (FIA/FNS 23-012)
Federal agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Federal Award Year: Year ended June 30, 2024
Type of finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matter Compliance Finding
Criteria: The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) - Receipt of USDA Foods for Household Use – An Eligible Recipient Agency (ERA) certifies households eligible to receive USDA Foods for household consumption by applying income eligibility criteria established by the state agency (7 CFR section 251.5(b)). These criteria are approved in advance by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) as part of the state agency’s distribution plan (7 CFR section 251.6(a)).
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) - Eligibility Criteria is at the State’s Discretion. In addition to categorical and income eligibility, the state agency may also require that applicants (a) be at nutritional risk, as determined by a physician or by local agency health staff; and/or (b) reside within the service area of a local agency when applying for benefits (7 CFR section 247.9(e)).
Condition: During eligibility testing, we found instances of non-compliance, as follows:
TEFAP – We noted that for one out of 20 participants sampled for TEFAP, an ineligible community partner organization was able to order approximately 100 pounds of TEFAP food from CAFB’s website.
CSFP – We noted that for one out of 40 individual participants sampled for CSFP, one participant’s original enrollment documents supporting eligibility was missing. The organization did have the participant’s re-enrollment documents for the subsequent fiscal year. This is related to a person being eligible to receive food.
Cause: Eligibility guidelines were not followed in one case, and documentation not maintained in the second case.
Effect: TEFAP – Food was provided to a community partner who was not eligible.
CSFP – Documentation was not properly maintained to support eligibility of an individual who was provided food.
Context: One community partner organization out of 20 items tested was approved to receive food despite not being eligible. One individual participant out of 40 participants tested did not have documentation to support eligibility for the program.
Questioned costs: $1,069
Repeat finding: No
Recommendation: We recommend that the organization ensure control processes are appropriate to identify noncompliance or missing documentation.
Views of responsible officials: CAFB has reviewed and agrees with the finding and the recommendation.