Finding Text
Criteria: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - Work First Program case files require proper documentation be contained in the case record to verify eligibility, along with continued compliance to additional requirements set forth through federal and state guidance and specified requirements set forth in the Lenoir County Work First Electing County Plan. The case file should contain a completed, signed (telephonic signature is allowable) and dated standardized forms, including application and others. Additionally, employment program participation is required for specified applicants. Eligibility criteria further outlined in the Work First Policy Manual and the Lenoir County Work First Electing County Plan (2023 - 2025). Condition: There were Two (2) instances of missing or incomplete income verifications, One (1) instance of missing application documentation, Two (2) instances of missing required forms, One (1) instance of errors within the NC FAST time period recording that were not addressed, Three (3) instances of evidence being entered incorrectly into NC FAST, Two (2) instances of missing residency verifications, Two (2) instance of missing or incorrect kinship verifications, Two (2) instances of unenforced or noncompliance with child support enforcement, and One (1) instance of missing or incomplete documentation of work services compliance. Also, some specifications detailed in the Lenoir County Work First Electing County Plan were not enforced in any cases reviewed. Questioned Costs: While there was an affect to eligibility, there were no questioned costs. Context: We examined 25 out of 240 TANF - Work First case files active during the fiscal year to ensure verifications used to determine eligibility were properly documented. Effect: For the active cases, there was a chance that information was not adequately documented or were not accessible NC FAST which affect general adherence to prescribed guidelines. Identification of a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Cause: Ineffective record keeping and ineffective case review process, incomplete documentation, and incorrect application of rules for purposes of determining eligibility. Recommendation: Files should be reviewed internally to ensure proper documentation is in place for eligibility. Workers should be retrained on what files should contain and the importance of complete and accurate record keeping. We recommend that all supporting documentation used for eligibility verification be reviewed for completeness and reconciled to the information provided in worker dictation. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: The County agrees with the finding. Supervisors will perform second party reviews to ensure proper documentation is contained in files to support eligibility determinations. Workers will be retrained on what information should be maintained in case files, the importance of complete and accurate record keeping, and reserve calculations. The County finance office will also participating in the review process.