Finding 1220050 (2023-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2026-06-29

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Eligibility files for TANF assistance were often incomplete or missing, risking ineligible individuals receiving benefits.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with OMB Uniform Guidance requires complete eligibility determinations for all TANF recipients.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Implement stronger controls to ensure all eligibility documentation is complete and accessible for audits.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-002 Information on the Federal Program: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), ALN # 93.558, Grant Period 1/1/23 – 12/31/23. Criteria or Specific Requirement: According to the OMB Uniform Guidance Compliance Supplement, only a financially needy family that consists of, at a minimum, a minor child living with a parent or other caretaker relative, or a pregnant woman may receive TANF “assistance” or most maintenance-of-effort (MOE)-funded benefits, services, or “assistance” regardless of the TANF purpose that the expenditure is reasonably calculated to accomplish. Condition: There were multiple instances where eligibility files selected for review were either incomplete, ineligible for benefits, or unable to be presented for audit review. Questioned Costs: Unable to be determined. Context: Per the Federal OMB Uniform Guidance Circular Compliance Supplement, each individual who receives benefits under the TANF program should have a completed eligibility determination on file which is available for audit review. Effect: By failing to provide documentation that each individual receiving TANF benefits was eligible for the program, there could be instances where ineligible program participants are receiving assistance. Cause: Controls were not in place to ensure that all required eligibility determinations and supporting documents were on file and available for audit review.

Corrective Action Plan

2. Finding 2023-002: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), CFDA #93.558, Grant Period 1/1/22-12/31/22. There were multiple instances where eligibility files selected for review were unable to be presented for audit review. Context: As per the Federal OMB Uniform Guidance Circular Compliance Supplement, each individual who receives benefits under the TANF program should have a completed eligibility determination on file, which is available for audit review. Corrective Action: PCBSS has implemented additional enhancements to support the DIMS Unit, where files are scanned and electronically stored. The agency increased staffing responsible for document scanning and streamlined the transfer process from worker units to the DIMS Unit. These improvements help ensure that cases are properly identified, organized, maintained, and that supporting case documentation is completed and uploaded timely. Implementation Date: Commenced in 2023 and ongoing.

Categories

Eligibility

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1220049 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1220051 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.778 GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAID $17.91M
93.558 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES $12.96M
10.551 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $10.96M
93.563 CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES $3.30M
93.667 SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT $1.73M
93.767 CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM $447,922
93.044 SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE AGING, TITLE III, PART B, GRANTS FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND SENIOR CENTERS $415,906
93.568 LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE $34,890