Finding Text
Legal Services Corporation ALN#09.233100 Criteria: Per LSC Reg.# 1611.2(d) Definition of Assets, ?Assets? means cash or other resources of the applicant or members of the applicant?s household that are readily convertible to cash, which are currently and actually available to the applicant. Condition: A few instances were noted during LSC case file testing, where recorded asset considered for financial eligibility determination did not meet the asset definition as per the LSC regulation. These cases were open prior to 2022 that remained open or closed in 2022. Cause: Certain assets including 401K fund and primary residence were incorrectly reported as assets. These assets should be excluded when determining the financial eligibility as per LSC Reg.#1611.2(d). Effect: Incorrect or incomplete financial eligibility documentation may result in improperly including or excluding clients from receiving services under the LSC program. Context: Out of sixty (60) LSC cases selected for testing, three (3) cases were reported as having an asset above ceiling ($25,000). However, the reported assets did not meet the definition of assets as per LSC Reg.# 1611.2(d). These program clients were indeed financially eligible but the asset classification in Legal Server was not accurate and did not support the eligibility conclusion. Questioned costs: There are no questioned costs noted. Recommendation: We recommend that Legal Services NYC continue to provide relevant trainings to the employees who handle client intake regarding financial eligibility.