Finding 505075 (2023-005)

Material Weakness
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-11-08

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: A participant lacked documentation proving their immigration status, leading to potential ineligibility for services.
  • Impacted Requirements: Clients must have a valid immigration status for less than five years to qualify for assistance.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a thorough review process for all participant files to ensure eligibility documentation is collected and retained before services are provided.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Refugee and Entrant Assistance State/Replacement Designee Administered Programs Assistance Listing Number: 93.566 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 21/2201MNRSS 2023 Pass-Through Agency: State of Minnesota and Lutheran Social Services Pass-Through Numbers: GRK% 167302, D2LNFU9KSHC6, D2LNFU9KSHC6 Award Period: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 Type of Finding: * Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance * Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Clients must have a specific immigration status or classification and have had that status for less than five years. Condition: We noted that for one of the participants that we tested, there was no documentation on file of their immigration status to ensure that the individual was eligible to receive services. Questioned Costs: None Context: One out of sixty participants selected for testing of eligibility did not have proper documentation. Cause: Support was not retained in the participant's file at the time of enrollment. Effect: Providing services to participants who are not eligible. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: Auditor recommends that KOM review all participant files to ensure proper documentation is retained supporting eligibility of applicants. We noted that there is currently a process in place to perform an annual review of random files to ensure that only eligible participants are being served, but we recommend that a process is implemented to ensure that there is proper review and approval of all applicants prior to the individual receiving services and that this review is retained. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Refugee and Entrant Assistance State/Replacement Designee Administered Programs Assistance Listing No. 93.566 Recommendation: Auditor recommends that KOM review all participant files to ensure proper documentation is retained supporting eligibility of applicants. We noted that there is currently a process in place to perform an annual review of random files to ensure that only eligible participants are being served, but we recommend that a process is implemented to ensure that there is proper review and approval of all applicants prior to the individual receiving services and that this review is retained. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The Organization will provide staff training on documentation required to support participant eligibility, including for participants referred by other organizations. Program Managers will review files for newly enrolled participants to ensure eligibility and appropriateness of the service plan. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Alexis Walstad and Eh Tah Khu, Co-Executive Directors Planned completion date for corrective action plan: 11/30/2024

Categories

Eligibility Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 505072 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 505073 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 505074 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 505076 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 505077 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1081514 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1081515 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1081516 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1081517 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1081518 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1081519 2023-005
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $133,420
93.566 Refugee and Entrant Assistance State/replacement Designee Administered Programs $119,845
21.023 Emergency Rental Assistance Program $51,609
93.044 Special Programs for the Aging, Title Iii, Part B, Grants for Supportive Services and Senior Centers $40,000
93.052 National Family Caregiver Support, Title Iii, Part E $26,545