Finding 43208 (2022-002)

Criteria or specific requirement (including statutory, regulatory, or other citation): Eligibility for program benefits should be supported by completed standardized forms. Such standardized forms should be maintained and contain signatures of the caseworker completing the form and the supervisor indicating review and approval. Condition and context: Of forty program benefits tested for 2022, the following exceptions were noted: ? An application was unable to be located for one selection, ? Two selections were missing the LDSS-2970 (Services Authorization Form). Cause: Consistency of application of established County policies and procedures principally due to staffing changes. Effect or potential effect: Without proper documentation to demonstrate the propriety of benefits issued, benefits may be issued to ineligible applicants or in amounts that are not appropriate. Questioned costs: None. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: A similar finding (2021-003) was reported in the prior year. Recommendation: Management should develop procedures to ensure the required documentation is maintained within each case file. Views of responsible officials: As detailed within the Corrective Action Plan, management has agreed to the findings and recommendation noted above.