Finding 1155542 (2024-006)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-26
Audit: 367845
Organization: Itasca County (MN)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Lack of documented reviews for case files by eligibility specialists in the TANF program.
  • Impacted Requirements: Standard internal control procedures for eligibility determinations are not being followed.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement regular case file reviews and ensure documentation is maintained to prevent errors in eligibility determinations.

Finding Text

ELIGIBILITY (2024-006) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Assistance Listing Number: 93.558 Pass-Through Agency: Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Aitkin-Itasca-Koochiching Community Health Board Pass-Through Numbers: 2401MNTANF Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 2401MNTANF, 2024 Compliance Requirement Affected: Eligibility Award Period: Year Ended December 31, 2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Standard internal control procedures recommend internal reviews over case file eligibility determinations to ascertain case workers are complying with state and federal requirements. Condition: There was no formal review documented over internal case files worked by program eligibility specialists. Questioned Costs: None Context: During our testing of case file reviews during 2024, it was noted that there were no documented case file reviews performed for the human services component of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Cause: The Minnesota Department of Human Services is not requiring a review of case files and lack of staffing. Effect: Errors made in determining eligibility may not be discovered and benefits may be issued to clients who are not eligible. Repeat Finding: Yes, 2023-006. Recommendation: We recommend that the County review case files on a periodic basis throughout the year and document the review. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

ELIGIBILITY (PRIOR YEAR 2023-008) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Assistance Listing Number: 93.558 Pass-Through Agency: Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Aitkin-Itasca-Koochiching Community Health Board Federal Award Identification Number and Pass-Through Number: 2401MNTANF Compliance Requirement Affected: Eligibility Award Period: Year Ended December 31, 2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Recommendation: We recommend the County review case files on a periodic basis throughout the year and document the review. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The County will begin reviewing case files and documenting their review. Name of the contact person responsible for corrective action: Eric Villeneuve, Health and Human Services Director Planned completion date for corrective action plan: December 31, 2025

Categories

Eligibility Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1155538 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155539 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155540 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155541 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155543 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155544 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155545 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155546 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $2.56M
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $2.06M
15.226 Payments in Lieu of Taxes $681,632
10.561 State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program $627,048
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $551,659
93.658 Foster Care Title IV-E $391,235
93.667 Social Services Block Grant $316,033
93.563 Child Support Services $263,370
10.557 Wic Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children $259,617
16.710 Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants $146,900
93.958 Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services $103,544
93.069 Public Health Emergency Preparedness $85,592
93.994 Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to the States $77,829
20.219 Recreational Trails Program $75,000
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $67,441
97.012 Boating Safety Financial Assistance $64,375
93.674 John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood $33,997
97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants $29,083
93.323 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (elc) $25,543
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $15,121
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $14,413
93.575 Child Care and Development Block Grant $11,641
93.556 Marylee Allen Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program $11,251
93.268 Immunization Cooperative Agreements $10,434
93.590 Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention Grants $5,594
93.645 Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program $4,813
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $4,575
93.566 Refugee and Entrant Assistance State/replacement Designee Administered Programs $4,524
93.775 State Medicaid Fraud Control Units $1,294
93.767 Children's Health Insurance Program $893