Finding Text
Criteria: Applicants for WIC program benefits are screened at WIC clinic sites to determine their WIC eligibility. To be certified eligible, they must meet the eligibility criteria defined at 7 CFR sections 246.7(c), (d), (e), (g), and (l) related to Category, Identity and Residency, Income, and Nutritional Risk. Condition: During our testing of eligibility, the Corporation was unable to provide support that eligibility assessments performed were reviewed. For 2 of the 40 samples, proper segregation of duties was not maintained as the staff person who determined income eligibility was the same staff person who completed the medical risk assessment. Cause: The staff did not consistently follow formal policies and procedures over eligibility. Effect or Potential Effect: Lack of strict adherence to documentation requirements may have resulted in the Corporation providing benefits to ineligible beneficiaries. Questioned costs: None Context: We tested a sample of 40 participants determined to be eligible and found exceptions as noted in the condition. This is a condition identified per review of the Corporation’s compliance with specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. Repeat finding: This is a repeat finding from prior year. This was reported as finding 2023-008 in the 2023 report. Recommendation: We recommend the Corporation establish formal internal controls, and documentation of their performance, relating to assessing eligibility of participants. View of Responsible Officials: Due to staff turnover, the Corporation did not consistently enforce segregation of duties between the individual responsible for determining income eligibility and the one completing the medical risk assessment.