HHS Needs To Determine If Massachusetts' AFDC Program Meets Federal Requirements and, If Not, Take Compliance Action
HRD-84-8
Published: Jul 09, 1984. Publicly Released: Jul 09, 1984.
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Highlights
GAO discussed its findings regarding the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare's administration of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of Social Security to ascertain whether the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare has taken effective action to validate and correct AFDC dependent case information in its automated welfare master files. |
Closed – Implemented
Massachusetts has made several matches of the AFDC master file with a variety of databases, and continues to validate and correct SSN's and other casefile information on an ongoing basis, resulting in numerous case closures, as part of its Deficit Reduction Act system operational plan. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to audit implementation of this system during FY 1988.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of Social Security to ascertain whether the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare has taken effective action to record U.S. entry dates for all refugee recipients and dependents in its automated welfare master files. |
Closed – Implemented
Massachusetts' Deficit Reduction Act system operational plan contains procedures for recording U.S. entry dates for all refugee recipients and dependents. HHS plans to audit implementation of this system during FY 1988.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of Social Security to ascertain whether the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare has taken effective action to develop, for those cases identified as requiring changes, a tracking system to ensure that caseworkers follow through in making the changes. |
Closed – Implemented
Massachusetts implemented its revised priority action listing and accompanying caseworker action tracking system during 1985. Its effecftive implementation, along with appropriate staff training emphasizing action on priority areas, was validated by HHS in 1986.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of Social Security to ascertain whether the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare has taken effective action to emphasize that field offices act to remove ineligible dependents from cases, adjust benefits accordingly, and otherwise improve case maintenance activities. |
Closed – Implemented
The desk review guide was implemented along with the priority action listing and tracking system in 1985. In 1986, HHS validated its effectiveness in addressing the points noted in this recommendation.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | If it is determined that effective actions have not been taken, the Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of Social Security to take compliance action against the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare to withhold federal financial participation for failure of the State to comply with federal requirements. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Actions taken by Massachusetts on the report recommendations, and validated by HHS, fully address the basis for this recommendation.
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Topics
Computer matchingData integrityEligibility determinationsErroneous paymentsInformation systemsPublic assistance programsRefugeesState-administered programsWelfare benefitsYouthSchool dropouts