Finding 1191808 (2025-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Ineligible household received Weatherization Assistance due to improper income verification for a multi-unit property.
  • Impacted Requirements: Eligibility criteria for multi-dwelling units were not met, risking noncompliance with Department of Energy grant regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance eligibility procedures, improve documentation, increase supervisory reviews, provide staff training, and address questioned costs with the pass-through entity.

Finding Text

U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State of Vermont Agency of Human Services 2025-003: Compliance finding – Eligibility Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons (ALN 81.042) and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (ALN 93.568) Condition: The Organization approved and provided Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) services to a household located in a two-unit residential property. Based on a review of tenant income documentation, neither unit met the program’s income eligibility requirements at the time eligibility was determined. Despite this, the household was deemed eligible and weatherization services were performed and charged to the WAP grants. Criteria or specific requirement: For Department of Energy grants, one of the following criteria must be met within all multi-dwelling unit buildings 2(+) units in size regardless of if an individual building is part of a larger project or not: A. A minimum of 66% of the dwelling units within a multi-dwelling unit building must be occupied by a family/household that meets the income eligibility requirement, or B. A minimum of 50% of the dwelling units within duplexes, four-unit buildings and certain eligible types of large multi-family buildings must be occupied by a family that meets the income eligibility requirement, or C. The property meets the HUD based categorical eligibility requirements outlined within DOE’s WPN 22-5: Expansion of Client Eligibility in the Weatherization Assistance Program. Cause: Lack of oversight by management - The Organization did not adequately apply WAP eligibility requirements for multi-unit dwellings. Specifically, staff did not sufficiently verify and document income eligibility for each unit within the property prior to approving the dwelling for services. This indicates a breakdown in eligibility review controls and supervisory oversight for properties containing more than one unit. Effect: WAP funds were used to provide services to an ineligible property, resulting in unallowable program costs. This noncompliance increases the risk of questioned costs and potential repayment to the pass-through entity. Questioned costs: $4,048.39 Recommendation: We understand that ongoing cultural shifts have occurred in the weatherization department after the issues being identified by OEO. We recommend that the Organization strengthen eligibility determination procedures for multi-unit dwellings, including clear documentation requirements for each unit. Implementation of additional supervisory review of eligibility determinations for properties with more than one unit prior to service approval would be helpful. Providing targeted staff training on WAP income eligibility rules and treatment of multi-unit properties will continue to strengthen the team. Lastly, working with the pass-through entity to resolve questioned costs, including repayment if required.

Corrective Action Plan

Weatherization Assistance Program (ALN 81.042) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (ALN 93.568) U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State of Vermont Agency of Human Services Finding 2025-003 Compliance Finding - Eligibility Views of Responsible Officials Management acknowledges the eligibility determination error involving a two-unit dwelling and agrees that eligibility verification procedures were not sufficiently applied in accordance with DOE requirements for multiunit properties. The Organization takes this finding seriously and is committed to strengthening controls to prevent recurrence. The Organization is actively working with the pass-through entity to resolve the questioned costs of $4,048.39 and will repay any disallowed costs as required. Corrective Action Plan 1. Multi-Unit Eligibility Control Protocol A new Multi-Unit Eligibility Determination Checklist has been implemented requiring: • Individual income verification for each unit • Calculation worksheet demonstrating compliance with: o 66% rule, OR o 50% rule (where applicable), OR o HUD categorical eligibility per WPN 22-5 • Written supervisory approval prior to job authorization No multi-unit property may proceed to audit or production until eligibility documentation is approved. 2. Pre-Service Supervisory Approval Requirement • All multi-unit eligibility determinations must be reviewed and signed by: o Will Eberle (Weatherization Director) • Documentation must be verified before work order issuance. This adds a preventive control prior to expenditure of funds. 3. Executive Oversight Review • Will Eberle (Weatherization Director) will receive a monthly eligibility compliance report. • Any exceptions will trigger immediate review. • Quarterly summary reporting will be presented to senior leadership. 4. Targeted Eligibility Training • Staff will complete focused training on: o DOE WAP multi-family eligibility requirements o Income documentation standards o HUD categorical eligibility • Training will be conducted within 45 days and annually thereafter. • Attendance logs and materials will be maintained by Scott Hall. 5. File Audit & Continuous Monitoring • Will Eberle (Weatherization Director) will conduct monthly random sampling of: o 100% of multi-unit approvals for the next 6 months o Minimum 20% thereafter • Findings will be documented and tracked. 6. Resolution of Questioned Costs • The Organization is in communication with the pass-through entity regarding the $4,048.39 in questioned costs. • Repayment will occur promptly if required. • A repayment tracking file will be maintained by finance and reviewed by Chris Locarno. Implementation Timeline Summary Action, Responsible Party, Completion Target: Multi-unit checklist implemented, Scott Hall, Completed Supervisory sign-off requirement, Scott Hall, Immediate Staff eligibility training, Scott Hall, Within 45 days Executive reporting framework, Chris Locarno Completed Monthly sampling audits, Will Eberle, Ongoig Resolution of questioned costs WX Finance / Chris Locarno, Within 90 days Statement of Commitment The Organization is committed to restoring and maintaining full compliance with all federal and state Weatherization program requirements. Leadership, including, but not limited to: Will Eberle (Weatherization Director), Scott Hall (Weatherization Associate Director), and Chris Locarno (Business Manager), has implemented structural safeguards, enhanced supervisory review, and reinforced a culture of compliance and accountability to ensure that these deficiencies do not recur. Management believes the corrective actions outlined above address both the immediate deficiencies and the underlying control weaknesses identified in the audit. Responsible Person: Will Eberle Date of Completion: April 1, 2026

Categories

No categories assigned yet.

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1191790 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191791 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191792 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191793 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191794 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191795 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191796 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191797 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191798 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191799 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191800 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191801 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191802 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191803 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191804 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191805 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191806 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191807 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $1.56M
93.569 COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT $696,215
21.023 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $292,405
93.568 LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE $276,181
97.036 DISASTER GRANTS - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTERS) $142,076
10.569 EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (FOOD COMMODITIES) $111,958
10.558 CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM $89,151
21.009 VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA) MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM $51,000
14.267 CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM $45,662
81.042 WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS $10,567
93.600 HEAD START $10,245
10.182 PANDEMIC RELIEF ACTIVITIES: LOCAL FOOD PURCHASE AGREEMENTS WITH STATES, TRIBES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS $6,500
93.570 COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT DISCRETIONARY AWARDS $4,410
14.251 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING, AND MISCELLANEOUS GRANTS $2,947