Finding Text
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
2024-001 – Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) – Assistance Listing No. 64.033,
Grant Period – September 2023 through September 30, 2025.
Condition:
Clear Path for Veterans New England, Inc. (the Organization) did not follow its internal controls
regarding eligibility for the SSVF grant and as a result, the Organization did not recertify one
program participant within the three month period to ensure continued program eligibility.
Criteria:
Department of Veteran Affairs SSVF Program Guide (the Program Guide), Section 2.5
Recertification of Eligibility, requires the recertification of a participant’s eligibility every three
months, at a minimum. In addition, 2 CFR 200.303 indicates that non-Federal entities receiving
Federal awards must establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal award
that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in
compliance with Federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.
Cause:
The Organization did not properly follow the Program Guide and its internal controls.
Effect:
The Organization did not recertify one program participant within the timeframe in accordance
with its internal controls.
Context:
One out of thirteen applicants sampled. Our sample was not a statistically valid sample. This was
not a repeat finding from a prior period.
Questioned Costs:
None
Recommendations:
Management should ensure that the Organization follow the Program Guide and ensure that the
Organization’s internal controls in place are properly followed.
Management Response:
Management agrees with the finding and will provide additional training during fiscal year 2025
to its program staff to ensure that the Organization’s internal controls are properly followed.