Problems continue in screening MN public aid applicants

The state Department of Human Services continues to struggle managing eligibility requirements for several public assistance programs, Minnesota's Legislative Auditor says.

The department needs to better train the network of county workers who determine eligibility for medical assistance and other programs, said David Poliseno of the legislative auditor's office.

Auditors, for instance found a 57 percent error rate when they examined records of county workers trying to determine whether people were eligible for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

In some cases, the county worker's documentation "did not show adequate verification of household member relationships or assets, had incomplete applications or inconsistent information, or was missing identity documents," according to the report.

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In response to the audit, DHS officials said they've worked hard to improve systems. They noted that while there is still a significant amount of work ahead, the annual audit found fewer problems than last year.

The audit also reported that the department "generally complied with and had internal controls to ensure compliance."

Other findings from the legislative auditor:

• The Department of Human Services did not adequately ensure that recipients receiving benefits met the eligibility requirements for Medical Assistance, Children's Health Insurance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Child Care and Development Fund, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance programs. This is a repeat finding.

• The Department of Human Services did not fully identify, analyze, and document its internal controls related to compliance with federal internal control requirements for several federal programs. This is a repeat finding.

• The Department of Human Services did not consistently ensure county workers with access to the department's computer systems needed the access.

• The Department of Human Services did not correctly allocate $936,072 in costs according to its federally approved cost allocation plan, causing the department to claim $457,931 more in federal reimbursement than allowed.

• The Department of Human Services did not always perform licensing visits to child care facilities in a timely manner. This is a repeat finding.