Finding 1169642 (2024-001)

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Federal Program Name: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 10.561 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 242MN101S2514 – 2024 Passed Through Entity: Minnesota Department of Human Services Pass Through Number: H55240010 Compliance Requirement: Special Provisions Award Period: 2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Agencies are required to automate their SNAP operations and computerize their systems for obtaining, maintaining, utilizing, and transmitting information concerning SNAP (7 CFR sections 272.10 and 277.18). This includes: (1) processing and storing all case file information necessary for eligibility determination and benefit calculation, identifying specific elements that affect eligibility, and notifying the certification unit of cases requiring notices of case disposition, adverse action and mass change, and expiration; (2) providing an automatic cutoff of participation for households that have not been recertified at the end of their certification period by reapplying and being determined eligible for a new period (7 CFR sections 272.10(b)(1)(iii) and 273.10(f) and (g)); and (3) generating data necessary to meet federal issuance and reconciliation reporting requirements. Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations § 200.303 states that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the auditee is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition: The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) maintains the computer system, MAXIS, which is used by the County to support the eligibility determination process. The sample size was based on guidance from chapter 11 of the AICPA Audit Guide, Government Auditing Standards and Single Audits. While periodic supervisory case reviews are performed to monitor compliance with grant requirements for eligibility, when performing our case file review for eligibility, we noted: • There was no verification of income on 2 of the 60 casefiles tested. • There was not a proper documented redetermination of eligibility on 1 of the 60 casefiles tested. Questioned costs: None Context: Three of the 60 casefiles tested had the above noted issues. Cause: The County has had significant turnover and new staff over the past few years as well as increases in caseloads. There was also changing guidance as waivers from the pandemic expired. All of this provided more opportunities for errors to occur. Effect: Improper input or updating of information in MAXIS and lack of verification or follow-up of eligibility determining factors increase the risk that a program participant will receive benefits when they are not eligible. Repeat finding: Yes – 2023-007 Recommendation: We recommend the County implement processes and procedures to provide reasonable assurance that all necessary documentation to support eligibility determination exists and is properly input or updated in MAXIS and issues are followed up in a timely manner. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the finding.