Finding Text
2022-008 ALN 93.568 LIHEAP/COVID-19 LIHEAP - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Passthrough from Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development Condition: Receipts of LIHEAP grant funds exceeded LIHEAP grant expenses during the fiscal year, and LIHEAP restricted cash was deficient by $1,849,775 when comparing the June 30, 2022 LIHEAP restricted cash balance of $1,965,909 to the LIHEAP deferred revenue of $3,815,684, indicating unallowable use of LIHEAP program funds. The Activities Allowed or Unallowed compliance requirement is identified as not being subject to audit in the Compliance Supplement and auditors are not expected to test requirements. However, we became aware of the material cash deficiency and determined non-compliance with the general requirements of the Activities Allowed or Unallowed compliance requirement exists. Cause: LIHEAP program funds, including those identified in Finding 2022-007, were not immediately transferred to and held in the LIHEAP program checking account. Because the funds were not transferred they were utilized for non-LIHEAP programs resulting in unallowable activities related to the LIHEAP funds. Criteria: LIHEAP grant funds should only be utilized for allowable LIHEAP program activities. Effect of Potential Effect: Management did not comply with allowable activities compliance requirements for the LIHEAP program and has a LIHEAP cash deficiency of $1,849,775 at June 30, 2022. Recommendation: We recommend that management follow the compliance requirements for the LIHEAP program and only utilize LIHEAP program cash for allowable program activities. Additionally, we recommend that management correct the cash deficiency. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding, see Corrective Action Plan.