Finding 380927 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-18

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: One client received food assistance despite being ineligible, highlighting a significant deficiency in internal controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: The Society must ensure proper eligibility checks are in place to prevent ineligible clients from receiving assistance.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance training for staff and volunteers on eligibility guidelines and reinforce the importance of compliance with federal program requirements.

Finding Text

Finding #2023-001 – Significant Deficiency and Other Noncompliance. Applicable federal program: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Food Distribution Cluster, Emergency Food Assistance Program (Food Commodities), Assistance Listing #10.569, Passed through The Houston Food Bank, Montgomery County Food Bank, and Galveston County Food Bank, Contract Year: 10/01/22 – 09/30/23. Criteria: Eligibility – The Society is responsible for having internal control procedures over its client intake process to ensure that only eligible clients are provided with food assistance. Condition and context: In a sample of 40 clients served during the year, food assistance was provided to one client who was determined to be ineligible according to the application form. Cause: The finding occurred as a result of the inadequate communication and training regarding the importance of following eligibility guidelines for food assistance. Effect: Failure to follow eligibility guidelines could result in the distribution of federal food commodities to ineligible households. Questioned costs: Unknown. Recommendation: Communicate and emphasize adherence to contractual requirements for determining eligibility and provide training to volunteers as needed to ensure compliance. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: Management agrees with the finding. See Corrective Action Plan.

Categories

Eligibility HUD Housing Programs Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 380925 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 380926 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957367 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957368 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957369 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
97.024 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program $66,121
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $51,740
10.569 Emergency Food Assistance Program (food Commodities) $44,842
97.U02 Federal Emergency Management Agency (food Commodities) $3,359
97.U01 Federal Emergency Management Agency (food Commodities) $492
97.U03 Federal Emergency Management Agency (food Commodities) $185