Finding Text
2025-001 Eligibility Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Year of Finding Origination: 2022 Type of Finding: Internal Control Over Compliance and Compliance Severity of Deficiency: Significant Deficiency and Other Matter Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Program: 93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Award Number and Year: 2501MNTANF; 2025 Pass-Through Agency: Minnesota Department of Human Services Criteria: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations § 200.303 states that the auditee must establish, document, 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. Title 42 United States Code § 602(a)(1)(B)(iii) requires each state to create a written document that shall set forth the objective criteria for the delivery of benefits and the determination of eligibility. The Minnesota Department of Human Services’ State Plan for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Minn. Stat. § 142G.10, subd. 1, establish the general eligibility requirements for TANF benefits. Condition: The Minnesota Department of Human Services maintains the computer system, MAXIS, which is used by Stearns County to support the eligibility determination process. In the recipient files reviewed for eligibility, not all documentation was available, updated, or input correctly to support recipient eligibility. The following exceptions were noted in the sample of 40 MAXIS recipient files tested: • One recipient’s case file did not include supporting documentation for verification of school enrollment. • One recipient’s case file did not include evidence of a signature on the combined application form. • One recipient’s case file did not include supporting documentation for establishing parenthood. Questioned Costs: Not applicable. The County administers the program, but the State of Minnesota pays benefits to recipients in this program. Context: The State of Minnesota and Stearns County split the eligibility determination process. Pursuant to Minnesota statutes, Stearns County performs the “intake function” needed for this program, while the State maintains the MAXIS system, which supports the eligibility determination process. Recipients receive benefit payments from the State. The total population of eligible recipients was 885. The sample size was based on the guidance from Chapter 11 of the AICPA Audit Guide, Government Auditing Standards and Single Audits. Effect: The lack of updating information in MAXIS and the lack of verification or follow-up of eligibility determining factors increase the risk that program recipients will receive benefits when they are not eligible. Cause: Program personnel entering recipient data into MAXIS did not ensure all required information was input correctly, supported, and retained. Recommendation: We recommend the County implement additional procedures to provide reasonable assurance that all necessary documentation to support eligibility determinations exists and information is properly input or updated in MAXIS. In addition, the County should consider providing further training to program personnel. View of Responsible Official: Concur