More Vigorous Action Needs To Be Taken To Reduce Erroneous Payments to Recipients of AFDC
GGD-82-15
Published: Nov 09, 1981. Publicly Released: Nov 09, 1981.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
The Income Maintenance Administration (IMA) in the District of Columbia's Department of Human Services (DHS) is responsible for administering the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) Program. GAO assessed the DHS efforts to reduce erroneous payments and concentrated on the AFDC program because it comprises the majority of the IMA workload. GAO examined the erroneous payment problem, including a review of selected AFDC case files, quality control reports, and overpayment reports. GAO also identified and evaluated the effectiveness of DHS policies and practices to prevent or reduce the incidence of erroneous payments, including the DHS Special Initiatives Management System.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | The Mayor of the District of Columbia should direct the Corporation Counsel to develop and prosecute large dollar welfare fraud cases and publicize the results of those successfully prosecuted. |
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| District of Columbia | The Mayor of the District of Columbia should require the Director, Department of Human Services, to assign a high priority to developing and implementing procedures to immediately collect money erroneously paid to recipients who have the means to make restitution. |
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| District of Columbia | The Mayor of the District of Columbia should require the Director, Department of Human Services, to reemphasize to the staff the importance of reducing the error rate to the federally mandated 4 percent and take the necessary action to ensure that the Special Initiatives Management System plan is implemented without further delay. |
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| District of Columbia | The Mayor of the District of Columbia should require the Director, Department of Human Services, to ascertain from the Office of the District Corporation Counsel the type of information needed to prosecute fraud and direct caseworkers to maintain complete and fully documented evidence. |
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
Full Report
Public Inquiries
Topics
Collection proceduresErroneous paymentsFederal aid programsMathematical analysisProgram abusesProgram evaluationProgram managementOverpaymentsDefendantsWorkers