Finding Text
US Department of Health and Human Services
Passed through the NC Department of Health and Human Services
Program Name: Low Income Energy Assistance
CFDA#: 93.568
Finding 2022-011 Inadequate Request for Information
SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCY
Eligibility
Context: We examined 25 cases from of a total of 586 approved energy assistance applications from the Processed
Apps Detail report provided by NC Department of Health and Human Services to re-determine eligibility.
Effect: For those approved applications, there was a chance that information was not properly documented and
reconciled to NC FAST, and an applicant could have been approved for benefits for which they were not eligible.
Cause: Ineffective record keeping and ineffective case review process, incomplete documentation, and incorrect
application of rules for purposes of determining eligibility.
Recommendation: Files should be reviewed internally to ensure proper information is in place and necessary
procedures are taken when determine eligibility. The results found or documentation made in case notes should
clearly indicate what actions were performed and the results of those actions.
Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: The County agrees with the finding. See
Corrective Action Plan.
Criteria: In accordance with 42 CFR 435, documentation must be obtained as needed to determine if a recipient
meets specific standards, and documentation must be maintained to support eligibility determinations. In
accordance with the Division of Social Services Energy Programs Manual, all case information used to determine
eligibility, ineligibility and the benefit level must be clearly documented, and maintained for three years or until the
fiscal audit and/or program audit is complete.
Condition: There were 10 errors discovered during our procedures that inadequate information was requested at
applications and/or determinations.
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs
For the Year Ended June 30, 2022
Section III. Federal Award Findings (continued)
Questioned Costs: There was no known affect to eligibility and there were no known questioned costs.