Source: https://www.scribd.com/document/1925959/Social-Security-A-09-03-13011
Timestamp: 2018-06-24 18:36:25
Document Index: 148009486

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 405', 'art 404', 'art 416', '§ 670', '§ 416', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 5105', '§ 405']

Social Security: A-09-03-13011 | Supplemental Security Income | Social Security Administration
November 19, 2003 Peter D. Spencer Regional Commissioner San Francisco Assistant Inspector General for Audit Payee for the Social Security Administration (A-09-03-13011)
Subject: San Francisco Department of Human Services – An Organizational Representative
Attached is a copy of our final report. The objectives of our review were to determine whether the San Francisco Department of Human Services (1) had effective safeguards over the receipt and disbursement of Social Security benefits and (2) ensured Social Security benefits were used and accounted for in accordance with the Social Security Administration’s policies and procedures. Please comment within 60 days from the date of this memorandum on corrective action taken or planned on each recommendation. If you wish to discuss the final report, please call me at (410) 965-9700.
SAN FRANCISCO DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES – AN ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
A-09-03-13011
Our objectives were to determine whether the San Francisco Department of Human Services (SFDHS) (1) had effective safeguards over the receipt and disbursement of Social Security benefits and (2) ensured Social Security benefits were used and accounted for in accordance with the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) policies and procedures.
Some individuals cannot manage or direct the management of their finances because of their youth or mental and/or physical impairments. Congress granted SSA the authority to appoint representative payees to receive and manage these beneficiaries’ payments.1 A representative payee may be an individual or an organization. SSA selects representative payees for Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance beneficiaries or Supplemental Security Income recipients when representative payments would serve the individual’s interests. Representative payees are responsible for using benefits in the beneficiary’s best interests. SFDHS is a social services agency for the City and County of San Francisco. From May 1, 2001 to April 30, 2002, SFDHS received $782,687 in Social Security benefits on behalf of 145 beneficiaries, including 124 children and 21 adults.
Generally, SFDHS (1) had effective safeguards over the receipt and disbursement of Social Security benefits and (2) ensured Social Security benefits were used in accordance with SSA’s policies and procedures. However, we identified seven areas where SFDHS could improve its performance as a representative payee. Specifically, SFDHS did not always report Title IV-E payments, notify SSA of changes in custody, identify excess resources, cancel unnegotiated checks, conserve excess funds, maintain individual accounts, and properly title the bank account for its beneficiaries (see Appendix A for a summary of monetary results). In addition, we identified one area where SSA needs to improve its monitoring of representative payees. Specifically, SSA did not update its Representative Payee System to accurately reflect the beneficiaries in SFDHS’ care.
We use the term “beneficiary” generically in this report to refer to both Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income recipients. SFDHS – An Organizational Representative Payee for SSA (A-09-03-13011) i
During our audit, SFDHS refunded $143,520 in overpayments to SSA. We recommend that SSA direct SFDHS to refund an additional $15,364 in overpayments and $12,733 in beneficiary funds. We also recommend that SSA direct SFDHS to establish $8,214 in conserved funds, amend the title of its bank account for child beneficiaries, and develop procedures to ensure the Social Security benefits are properly accounted for. In addition, we recommend that SSA update its Representative Payee System to include all beneficiaries for whom SFDHS was selected as representative payee.
SSA agreed with all of our recommendations. The full text of SSA’s comments is included in Appendix B.
SFDHS agreed with all of our recommendations. The full text of SFDHS’ comments is included in Appendix C.
SFDHS – An Organizational Representative Payee for SSA (A-09-03-13011)
Page INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 1 RESULTS OF REVIEW .................................................................................................. 4 Concurrent SSI and Title IV-E Payments Not Reported .............................................. 4 Changes in Custody Not Reported Timely .................................................................. 5 Excess Resources Resulted in SSI Overpayments..................................................... 7 Unnegotiated Checks Not Canceled for Adult Beneficiaries........................................ 7 Excess Funds Not Conserved for Child Beneficiaries ................................................. 8 Accounting for Social Security Benefits Could be Improved........................................ 9 Bank Account Not Properly Titled ............................................................................. 10 Beneficiaries Not Entered into RPS .......................................................................... 10 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................ 12 OTHER MATTERS ...................................................................................................... 14 Representative Payee Reports Not Available ........................................................... 14 Conserved Funds Held in a Non-interest-bearing Account ....................................... 14 Benefit Payments Not Accurately Recorded ............................................................. 15 APPENDICES APPENDIX A – Summary of Monetary Results APPENDIX B – Agency Comments APPENDIX C – Representative Payee Comments APPENDIX D – OIG Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments
CFR FFA OASDI OIG POMS RPR RPS SFDHS SSA SSI USC Code of Federal Regulations Foster Family Agency Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Office of the Inspector General Program Operations Manual System Representative Payee Report Representative Payee System San Francisco Department of Human Services Social Security Administration Supplemental Security Income United States Code
Some individuals cannot manage or direct the management of their finances because of their youth or mental and/or physical impairments. Congress granted SSA the authority to appoint representative payees to receive and manage these beneficiaries’ and recipients’ benefit payments.2 A representative payee may be an individual or an organization. SSA selects representative payees for Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) beneficiaries or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients when representative payments would serve the individual’s interest. Representative payees are responsible for using benefits to serve the beneficiary’s best interests. Their duties include:3 • • • • • • using benefits to meet the beneficiary’s current and foreseeable needs; conserving and investing benefits not needed to meet the beneficiary’s current needs; maintaining accounting records of how the benefits are received and used; reporting events to SSA that may affect the individual's entitlement or benefit payment amount; reporting any changes in circumstances that would affect their performance as a representative payee; and providing SSA an annual Representative Payee Report (RPR) accounting for how benefits were spent and invested.
42 U.S.C. §§ 405(j) and 1383(a)(2) (2003). See id.; 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart U, and Part 416, Subpart F (2003). 1
About 7.6 million individuals have representative payees—approximately 4.5 million are OASDI beneficiaries, 2.3 million are SSI recipients, and 800,000 are entitled to both OASDI and SSI. The following chart reflects the types of representative payees and the number of individuals they serve. Number of Representative Payees 5,333,200 41,500 900 5,375,600
Type of Representative Payee Individual Payees: Parents, Spouses, Adult Children, Relatives, and Others Organizational Payees: State Institutions, Local Governments, and Others Organizational Payees: Fee-for-Service Total
Number of Individuals Served 6,685,100 807,400 104,200 7,596,700
SFDHS is a social services agency for the City and County of San Francisco. SFDHS has operated as an organizational representative payee for individuals who received payments under the OASDI and SSI programs for about 25 years. From May 1, 2001 to April 30, 2002, SFDHS received $782,687 in Social Security benefits on behalf of 145 beneficiaries, including 124 children and 21 adults. A breakdown of these payments is depicted in the following chart. Effective December 2002, SFDHS discontinued its services as representative payee for adult beneficiaries. Type of Beneficiary Children Adults Total Social Security Benefits OASDI SSI $253,666 64,120 $317,786 $363,893 101,008 $464,901 Number of Beneficiaries 124 21 145
Total $617,559 165,128 $782,687
As a representative payee, SFDHS uses three operational units to fulfill its duties and responsibilities. These units include social workers, eligibility workers, and fiscal employees. The social workers maintain contact with the beneficiaries and foster homes and approve expenses necessary for the cost of care. The eligibility workers apply for sources of funding on behalf of the beneficiaries. The fiscal employees receive, record, and deposit the Social Security benefits.
Our audit covered the period of May 1, 2001 through April 30, 2002. To accomplish our objectives, we: • • • Reviewed the Social Security Act and SSA policies and procedures pertaining to representative payees. Contacted SSA regional office and field office staffs to obtain background information about the representative payee’s performance. Obtained from SSA’s Representative Payee System (RPS) a list of individuals who were in the representative payee’s care as of April 30, 2002 or who left the representative payee’s care after May 1, 2001. Obtained from the representative payee a list of individuals who were in its care and had received SSA funds as of April 30, 2002 or who left its care after May 1, 2001. Compared and reconciled the RPS list to the representative payee’s list to identify the population of SSA beneficiaries who were in the representative payee’s care from May 1, 2001 to April 30, 2002. Reviewed the representative payee’s internal controls over the receipt and disbursement of OASDI benefits and SSI payments. Performed the following tests for all beneficiaries. Compared and reconciled benefit amounts received according to the representative payee’s records to benefit amounts paid according to SSA’s records. Reviewed the representative payee’s accounting records to determine whether benefits were properly spent or conserved on the individual’s behalf.
Traced a sample of recorded expenses to source documents and examined the underlying documentation for reasonableness and authenticity. Reviewed a sample of RPRs to determine whether the representative payee properly reported to SSA how benefits were used.
We performed our field work in Richmond and San Francisco, California, between August 2002 and April 2003. We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.
Our audit disclosed that SFDHS (1) had effective safeguards over the receipt and disbursement of Social Security benefits and (2) ensured Social Security benefits were used in accordance with SSA’s policies and procedures. However, we identified seven areas where SFDHS could improve its performance as a representative payee. Specifically, SFDHS did not always report Title IV-E payments, notify SSA of changes in custody, identify excess resources, cancel unnegotiated checks, conserve excess funds, maintain individual accounts, and properly title the bank account for its beneficiaries (see Appendix A for a summary of monetary results). In addition, we identified one area where SSA needs to improve its monitoring of representative payees. Specifically, SSA did not update RPS to accurately reflect the beneficiaries in SFDHS’ care.
Concurrent SSI and Title IV-E Payments Not Reported
SFDHS did not ensure SSI recipients who received Title IV-E payments were reported to SSA in a timely manner. Although SFDHS received current and retroactive Title IV-E payments on behalf of children in foster care, it did not always notify SSA to determine whether such payments affected continuing entitlement to SSI payments. As a result, seven recipients received $94,097 in SSI payments to which they were not entitled. SSA’s procedures require that representative payees report any changes to SSA that may affect the individual’s entitlement or benefit payment amount.4 In addition, SSA’s Guide for Organizational Representative Payees requires that such payees report any changes or events that could affect the beneficiary’s eligibility for benefits or payment amount, such as changes in income (for example, receipt of other Federal benefits).5 The Foster Care and Adoption Assistance Program, authorized under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act,6 helps States provide care for children who need placement outside their homes in a foster family home or an institution. The program provides Federal matching funds to States that administer the program. SSA’s procedures state that, if the source of payments for the care is federally funded income based on need (for
SSA’s Program Operations Manual System (POMS), section GN 00502.113.
Social Security, Representative Payment Program, Guide for Organizational Representative Payees, September 2001, pages 8 and 23.
42 U.S.C. §§ 670-679A (2003); 20 C.F.R. § 416.1143 (2003). 4
example, foster care under Title IV-E), the total payment is considered cash income to the individual, and the SSI payment is reduced dollar for dollar.7 We found that SFDHS generally relied on eligibility workers to notify fiscal employees when children in foster care were eligible for Title IV-E payments. However, in seven cases, SFDHS did not (1) identify the concurrent receipt of SSI and Title IV-E payments and (2) report all changes in income to SSA. As depicted in the table below, these individuals received $94,097 in overpayments from July 1996 to February 2003. Case Number 328845-11 404030-11 411611-11 897598-13 767353-12 748956-12 230152-11 Total Payment Dates 3/01 - 12/02 12/00 - 2/03 1/01 - 6/02 7/96 - 3/02 4/01 - 1/03 10/00 - 7/01 1/97 - 3/02 Number of Months 22 27 18 69 20 10 63 229
Total Overpayments $19,755 16,960 15,991 15,845 14,249 7,077 4,220 $94,097
SFDHS agreed with our findings and took corrective action during our audit. From November 2002 to April 2003, SFDHS refunded $94,097 in overpayments to SSA. Therefore, we are not recommending a refund for this amount.
Changes in Custody Not Reported Timely
SFDHS received benefit payments for child beneficiaries who were no longer in its care. This occurred because SFDHS did not report changes in custody for its beneficiaries in a timely manner. Since SSA was unaware of these changes, it continued to disburse payments to SFDHS on behalf of these individuals. As a result, seven beneficiaries did not receive $49,423 in benefit payments to which they were entitled.
POMS, sections SI 00835.706 and SI 00835.790. The beneficiary did not receive SSA benefits for June and July 2001. 5
SSA’s procedures require that representative payees report any changes of custody and return any benefits to which the beneficiary is not entitled. Furthermore, any conserved funds or unused benefits must be returned to SSA.9 In addition, SSA’s Guide for Organizational Representative Payees requires that such payees (1) report changes in custody (including adoption) for child beneficiaries and (2) return any conserved funds if they no longer serve as representative payee.10 SFDHS generally relied on eligibility or social workers to notify fiscal employees of any changes in custody for its child beneficiaries. However, SFDHS did not ensure these changes were promptly reported to the SSA field office. As depicted in the table below, seven beneficiaries did not receive $49,423 in Social Security benefits from September 1999 to February 2003. Therefore, these individuals could not use the benefit payments for personal needs. Case Number A03525-11 960975-12 560083-12 241826-11 947018-12 297519-15 430048-11 Total Payment Dates 9/99 - 6/01 5/01 - 2/03 12/99 - 5/01 4/02 - 8/02 9/00 - 11/02 11/01 - 1/02 5/01 - 6/01 Number of Months 22 22 18 5 27 3 2 99 Benefit Payments $18,704 11,186 6,478 4,590 4,379 2,662 1,424 $49,423
SFDHS agreed with our findings and took corrective action during our audit. From November 2002 to April 2003, SFDHS refunded $49,423 in overpayments to SSA. Therefore, we are not recommending a refund for this amount.
POMS, section GN 00502.113.
Social Security, Representative Payment Program, Guide for Organizational Representative Payees, September 2001, pages 9 and 22. SFDHS – An Organizational Representative Payee for SSA (A-09-03-13011) 6
SFDHS received SSI payments for adult recipients with conserved funds in excess of the $2,000 resource limit. For three cases, SFDHS did not properly monitor the conserved funds and notify SSA of excess resources. In one of these cases, SSA identified the excess resources but SFDHS had only partially refunded the overpayment. As a result, three recipients received $15,364 in SSI payments to which they were not entitled. SSA’s procedures state that individuals with resources in excess of $2,000 are not eligible for SSI payments. Individuals must use these excess resources to meet their needs before they may receive additional SSI payments. Representative payees must notify SSA if the conserved funds for an SSI recipient exceed the $2,000 resource limit at the beginning of any calendar month.11 SFDHS did not have adequate procedures to identify excess resources. Therefore, two adult recipients received $1,196 in benefit payments in excess of the SSI resource limit. In addition, SFDHS did not take sufficient action for one adult recipient with conserved funds in excess of the SSI resource limit. Although SSA identified $19,937 in overpayments in July 2001, SFDHS only refunded $5,769 in August 2001 and had not refunded the remaining $14,168 to SSA.
Unnegotiated Checks Not Canceled for Adult Beneficiaries
SFDHS did not cancel the unnegotiated checks it had issued for the adult beneficiaries in its care. We found that SFDHS had disbursed the payments to meet the current maintenance needs of its beneficiaries. However, the checks were outstanding for over 1 year and had not been negotiated for payment. These funds belonged to the beneficiaries and should have been credited to their accounts. As a result, these individuals did not receive $12,733 in beneficiary funds to which they were entitled. SSA’s procedures require that representative payees use the benefits they receive to meet the beneficiary’s needs and best interests. Representative payees are responsible for keeping records and reporting on the use of benefits.12 In addition, SSA’s Guide for Organizational Representative Payees requires that such payees return any conserved funds if they no longer serve as representative payee.13 SFDHS generally relied on social workers to initiate stop payment orders before fiscal employees canceled any stale-dated checks. Nevertheless, SFDHS did not cancel 81 outstanding checks in a timely manner. These checks were dated back to
POMS, sections SI 01110.001 and SI 01110.003. POMS, section GN 00605.001.
Social Security, Representative Payment Program, Guide for Organizational Representative Payees, September 2001, page 9. SFDHS – An Organizational Representative Payee for SSA (A-09-03-13011) 7
March 1991. As depicted in the chart below, SFDHS had $12,733 of unnegotiated checks as of April 2003.
Aging of Outstanding Checks
Effective December 2002, SFDHS discontinued its services as representative payee for adult beneficiaries. Therefore, SFDHS should cancel the outstanding checks and return the beneficiary funds to SSA.
Excess Funds Not Conserved for Child Beneficiaries
SFDHS did not conserve the excess funds of child beneficiaries placed in foster homes through a foster family agency (FFA). Although SFDHS paid a monthly fee to each FFA, these fees were only partially attributable to the beneficiary’s current maintenance needs. We found that SFDHS had not determined whether the amount of SSA benefits exceeded the cost of basic and incremental care for the beneficiary. As a result, four beneficiaries did not receive $4,150 in benefit payments to which they were entitled. Federal regulations require that representative payees use the benefit payments for the beneficiary’s current maintenance needs. These needs include the costs incurred for food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and personal comfort items.14 Any remaining amount shall be conserved or invested on the beneficiary’s behalf.15
20 C.F.R. §§ 404.2040(a) and 416.640(a) (2003). POMS, section GN 00603.001. 8
From May 1, 2001 to April 30, 2002, SFDHS served as representative payee for 124 child beneficiaries, of whom 32 were placed in foster homes through an FFA. The California Department of Social Services establishes payment rates for each FFA based on the child’s age. SFDHS pays the monthly fee when it places child beneficiaries in foster homes through an FFA. The fee includes amounts for the cost of basic care, incremental care, administration, and social work. Although the basic and incremental care costs support the beneficiary’s current maintenance needs, the administration and social work costs do not support these needs. Our review disclosed that FFA fees generally ranged from about $1,400 to $2,100 per month. Of this amount, about 40 percent related to basic and incremental care while about 60 percent related to administration and social work. In 28 cases, the cost of basic and incremental care exceeded the amount of SSA benefits received by SFDHS and paid to the FFA. As a result, there were no conserved funds remaining for the beneficiaries. However, in four cases, the amount of SSA benefits exceeded the cost of basic and incremental care and should have resulted in $4,150 of conserved funds for the beneficiaries.
Accounting for Social Security Benefits Could be Improved
SFDHS did not properly account for the Social Security benefits on behalf of its child beneficiaries. This occurred because SFDHS used two accounting systems to record the benefits received and disbursed for children in foster care. In addition, SFDHS was unaware of the requirement to maintain individual accounts for its beneficiaries. As a result, four beneficiaries did not receive $4,064 in benefit payments to which they were entitled. Federal regulations state that representative payees should keep records of (1) the amount of benefit payments on hand at the beginning of the accounting period, (2) how the benefit payments were used, (3) how much of the benefit payments was saved and how the savings were invested, (4) where the beneficiary lived during the accounting period, and (5) the amount of income received by the beneficiary from other sources during the accounting period.16 SSA’s procedures require that representative payees apply benefits received on behalf of a beneficiary only for the use and benefit of that beneficiary. Although representative payees may establish collective accounts for funds belonging to more than one beneficiary, they must maintain records showing the amount of each individual’s share in the account.17 From May 1, 2001 to April 30, 2002, SFDHS received $617,559 in Social Security benefits on behalf of 124 child beneficiaries. During our audit, SFDHS was unable to provide a detailed accounting of the benefits received and disbursed for children in
20 C.F.R. §§ 404.2065 and 416.665 (2003). POMS, sections GN 00602.001 and GN 00603.020. 9
foster care. We reviewed the accounting records to compare the monthly income and expenses for each beneficiary. For four individuals, we found that SFDHS received $4,064 of income in excess of expenses. However, because SFDHS did not maintain individual accounts, it did not conserve these funds on behalf of the beneficiaries.
Bank Account Not Properly Titled
SFDHS did not properly establish the bank account for the child beneficiaries in its care. We found that SFDHS had incorrectly titled the checking account for children in foster care to show the funds belonged to the representative payee rather than the beneficiaries. However, the account should have reflected that SFDHS only retained a fiduciary interest in the funds. As a result, these individuals are vulnerable to the risk of loss of beneficiary funds. SSA’s procedures require that representative payees deposit funds not needed for the beneficiary’s current maintenance needs in an account that is titled to show the representative payee only retains a fiduciary interest in the funds. Generally, representative payees must not commingle a beneficiary’s funds with their personal or organizational operating funds.18 Our review disclosed that SFDHS had established the checking account as part of the general fund for the City and County of San Francisco rather than as a trust or custodian account. Therefore, SFDHS was incorrectly listed as the owner of the funds. SFDHS should establish a separate account to protect beneficiary funds in the event of bank failure.
Beneficiaries Not Entered into RPS
SSA did not update RPS to accurately reflect the beneficiaries in SFDHS’ care. This occurred, in part, because SSA employees may bypass RPS to establish a representative payee by identifying individuals or organizations as the beneficiaries’ representative payee directly on the Master Beneficiary Record or Supplemental Security Record. As a result, RPS did not identify SFDHS as representative payee for 25 beneficiaries in its care. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 199019 requires that SSA provide for specific identification and control of all representative payees and the beneficiaries they serve. As a result, SSA established RPS, an on-line system for entering and retrieving information about representative payees and those applying to be representative payees. RPS contains data about representative payee applicants, beneficiaries in the representative payee’s care, and the relationship between the representative payee and the beneficiaries.
POMS, sections GN 00603.010 and GN 00603.020. Pub. L. No. 101-508 § 5105, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 405(j)(2). 10
From May 1, 2001 to April 30, 2002, SFDHS served as representative payee for 124 child beneficiaries and 21 adult beneficiaries. However, we identified 25 beneficiaries for whom SFDHS had served as the representative payee but for whom SFDHS was not recorded as the representative payee in RPS. For these beneficiaries, SSA did not ensure that changes in representative payees were properly entered into RPS. Without complete and accurate information, SSA may be unable to effectively monitor the performance of its representative payees.
Generally, SFDHS (1) had effective safeguards over the receipt and disbursement of Social Security benefits and (2) ensured Social Security benefits were used in accordance with SSA’s policies and procedures. However, SFDHS did not always report Title IV-E payments, notify SSA of changes in custody, identify excess resources, cancel unnegotiated checks, conserve excess funds, maintain individual accounts, and properly title the bank account for its beneficiaries. In addition, SSA did not update RPS to accurately reflect the beneficiaries in SFDHS’ care. We recommend that SSA: 1. 2. Ensure SFDHS develops procedures to identify and report changes in income for SSI recipients who receive Title IV-E payments. Ensure SFDHS develops procedures to promptly report changes in custody for its child beneficiaries and return conserved funds if they no longer serve as representative payee. Direct SFDHS to refund $15,364 in overpayments for SSI recipients with conserved funds in excess of the $2,000 resource limit. Ensure SFDHS develops procedures to identify and report SSI recipients with excess resources in a timely manner. Direct SFDHS to cancel its unnegotiated checks and refund $12,733 in beneficiary funds to SSA. Direct SFDHS to establish $4,150 in conserved funds for the child beneficiaries placed in foster homes through an FFA. Ensure SFDHS develops procedures to identify and conserve funds in excess of current maintenance needs for child beneficiaries with FFA fees. Direct SFDHS to establish $4,064 in conserved funds for the child beneficiaries who received income in excess of expenses during our audit period. Direct SFDHS to maintain individual accounts for child beneficiaries to ensure the benefits received and disbursed are properly accounted for.
10. Ensure SFDHS amends the title of its bank account for child beneficiaries to reflect their ownership interest in the funds.
11. Update RPS to include all beneficiaries for whom SFDHS was selected as representative payee.
Representative Payee Reports Not Available
As part of our audit, we requested that SSA provide the most recently completed RPRs for 30 beneficiaries who were in SFDHS’ care from May 1, 2001 to April 30, 2002. SSA provided current RPRs for 10 of the 30 beneficiaries. However, SSA could not provide current RPRs for the remaining 20 beneficiaries. SFDHS generally did not retain copies of the most recent RPRs submitted to SSA. SSA’s procedures require that representative payees complete RPRs to account for the benefits received and used for all beneficiaries in their care. Representative payees are required to report such information to SSA annually. In addition, SSA is required to review the RPRs and retain these reports for 2 years after the last month of the reporting period.20 Although SSA initially provided 47 RPRs, we found that only 10 pertained to the current reporting period while 26 pertained to prior reporting periods. Another 10 pertained to beneficiaries for whom we had not requested RPRs. The remaining one represented a duplicate copy of an RPR for the current reporting period. Because SSA did not provide all the RPRs requested, we could not independently determine whether SFDHS met its reporting responsibilities. Furthermore, we could not determine whether SFDHS (1) did not submit the reports or (2) submitted the RPRs and SSA could not locate them.
Conserved Funds Held in a Non-interest-bearing Account
SFDHS held conserved funds for its adult beneficiaries in a non-interest-bearing checking account. SFDHS did not invest these funds because it was unaware SSA had recommended the use of interest-bearing accounts for balances in excess of $500. As of April 30, 2002, SFDHS held $39,610 in conserved funds for the adult beneficiaries in its care. As a result, these beneficiaries did not earn interest on their conserved fund balances. SSA’s procedures state that any funds not needed for the beneficiary’s immediate or reasonably foreseeable needs must be conserved or invested with minimum risk. These funds may be deposited in an interest-bearing or dividend-bearing account in a bank, trust company, credit union, or savings and loan association that is insured under either Federal or State law. For each beneficiary with more than $500 in conserved funds, SSA recommends that representative payees deposit such funds in interest-yielding investments.21
POMS, sections GN 00605.001 and GN 00605.055. POMS, sections GN 00603.001 and GN 00603.010. 14
From May 1, 2001 to April 30, 2002, SFDHS held conserved funds in excess of $500 for 14 of the 21 adult beneficiaries in its care. However, effective December 2002, SFDHS discontinued its services as representative payee for adult beneficiaries. Therefore, we do not have any further recommendations.
Benefit Payments Not Accurately Recorded
SFDHS inadvertently posted two benefit payments to the incorrect adult beneficiary. In May 2001, SFDHS received $649 in OASDI benefits and $158 in SSI payments for one adult beneficiary. However, SFDHS incorrectly recorded these payments on behalf of another adult beneficiary. As a result, one beneficiary did not receive $807 in benefit payments to which he was entitled. SSA’s procedures require that representative payees maintain adequate records of how benefits are received and used for each beneficiary.22 In addition, SSA’s Guide for Organizational Representative Payees requires that such payees establish an accounting system to track how much money was received, how much money was spent, and the balance saved for each beneficiary.23 In December 2002, SFDHS adjusted its accounting records for the beneficiary who received the overpayment. Although the beneficiary who incurred the underpayment died in April 2002, SFDHS initiated corrective action to return the funds to the beneficiary’s estate. Therefore, we do not have any further recommendations.
Social Security, Representative Payment Program, Guide for Organizational Representative Payees, September 2001, page 27.
Summary of Monetary Results
Finding Concurrent Supplemental Security Income and Title IV-E Payments Not Reported Changes in Custody Not Reported Timely Excess Resources Resulted in Supplemental Security Income Overpayments Unnegotiated Checks Not Canceled for Adult Beneficiaries Excess Funds Not Conserved for Child Beneficiaries Accounting for Social Security Benefits Could be Improved Total Amount $94,097 $49,423 $15,364 $12,733 $4,150 $4,064 $179,831
October 27, 2003 Assistant Inspector General for Audit Assistant Regional Commissioner Management and Operations Support San Francisco
S2D9G3
Subject: San Francisco Department of Human Services – An Organizational Representative Payee
for the Social Security Administration (A-09-03-13011) – REPLY Thank you for the opportunity to review the formal draft report, including the eleven recommendations, for the San Francisco Department of Human Services (SFDHS). The San Francisco Downtown field office (FO) agrees with the eleven recommendations and has been actively working with SFDHS to improve their accounting procedures to prevent overpayments and to insure that conserved funds are properly identified and maintained. Once we receive information from the IG audit team which identifies the specific cases with names and social security numbers, we will proceed to collect the remaining overpayments and credit them to the proper accounts. As for the retitling of the bank account for the child beneficiaries, we have long been aware of the problem and have brought it to the attention of the SFDHS many times in the past. However, due to technical legalities within the City and County of San Francisco, the city and county have not been willing to approve the legal changes that would be necessary for SSA and SSI monies to be maintained in a separate account with the proper titling. However, we will continue to work with the County Treasurer to explore other avenues on how the account can be retitled to meet SSA requirements. The FO is already working to update the Representative Payee System (RPS) to insure that it correctly reflects all the beneficiaries for whom SFDHS is the payee. The FO will continue to stress the proper and timely reporting of events that affect eligibility, the importance of returning conserved funds and better recordkeeping by addressing these subjects on a case-by-case basis and by providing additional training to the SFDHS staff. Special emphasis will be placed on issues dealing with conserved funds that belong to children. For further information staff may contact Cheryl Jacobson, Center for Programs, at 510-970-8248. /s/ Ron Sribnik for Patrick E. Sheehan
cc: OPSOS OISP DCFAM
Trent Rhorer Executive Director Deputy Directors Janice Anderson Santos Jim Buick Sally Kipper
October 28, 2003 Steven L. Schaeffer Assistant Inspector General for Audit Office of the Inspector General/Office of Audit Social Security Administration Baltimore, MD 21235-0001 SUBJECT: Response to Audit Report “San Francisco Department of Human Services: An Organizational Representative Payee for the Social Security Administration” (A-09-03-13011).
Dear Mr. Schaeffer: Thank you for your September 16, 2003 letter requesting our response to the findings and recommendations in the draft audit report A-09-03-13011, “San Francisco Department of Human Services: An Organizational Representative Payee for the Social Security Administration,” covering the period May 1, 2001 to April 30, 2002. Below are the specific areas you identified as needing improvement by the San Francisco Department of Human Services (SFDHS) in its role as Representative Payee for adult and child SSA/SSI beneficiaries, along with our responses: 1. Concurrent SSI and Title IV-E Payments Not Reported: SFDHS did not ensure SSI recipients who received Title IV-E payments were reported to SSA in a timely manner to determine whether such payments affected continuing entitlement to SSI payments.
Response: The Department concurs. Our goal is to strengthen procedures for monitoring and reporting changes in “aid type” status of our child SSI beneficiaries to the Social Security Administration. To achieve this goal, we have increased the role of our Revenue Accounting unit in processing all payments received on behalf of our child beneficiaries as follows: 1. 2. Do an inquiry in WCDS (Welfare Case Data System) to verify the aid-type status of child in order to determine his/her continued eligibility for Social Security benefits. If the child aid-type shows a “42” code, child’s care is now federally funded. Hence, Revenue Accounting must immediately request that worker complete and forward Form 816 “Change Notification”. This form will show the date child became eligible for
P.O. Box 7988 San Francisco, California 94120 C-1
(415) 557-5000
federal funding and it authorizes Revenue Accounting to notify SSA and return any payments received from the date the child became eligible. The Department has analyzed records of recipients who were not entitled to SSI payments (including the seven mentioned in your report) and on April 4, 2003 refunded $132,381 to SSA. 2. Changes in Custody Not Reported Timely: SFDHS did not report changes in custody for its beneficiaries in a timely manner resulting in $49,423 in benefit overpayments from SSA.
Response: The Department concurs. We have since refunded these overpayments to SSA and enhanced the procedures to: (1) promptly report changes in custody for our child beneficiaries and (2) return any conserved funds to SSA in the event the department no longer serves as Rep Payee for beneficiaries. Our goal is to continue to improve service coordination and communication between our Child Welfare Workers and our Eligibility Workers to ensure that changes in custody are reported in a timely manner. 3. Excess Resources Resulted in SSI Overpayments: SFDHS received SSI payments for adult recipients with conserved funds in excess of the $2,000 resource limit.
Response: The Department concurs, but no longer serves as Rep Payee for adult SSI recipients. The Department has successfully transferred all the active adult cases and their balances (including those with SSI overpayments) to the San Francisco Department Aging and Adult Services and also on July 23, 2003 we refunded $11,219.11 of overpayments on inactive cases to SSA. 4. Unnegotiated Checks totaling $12,733 not canceled for adult beneficiaries in the department’s care.
Response: The Department concurs. We have canceled all 81 outstanding, stale-dated checks. Also on August 8, 2003, we refunded $12,301 to the Social Security Administration (for the inactive cases) and $432 to the San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services (for the active cases). 5. Excess Funds Not Conserved for Child Beneficiaries: SFDHS did not conserve the excess funds of beneficiaries placed in foster homes through a foster family agency (FFA).
Response: The Department concurs. The Department is working to develop a simplified procedure for determining the excess funds of beneficiaries placed through a foster family agency (FFA). We want to ensure that excess funds are calculated correctly, conserved, or invested on behalf of the beneficiaries.
SFDHS – An Organizational Representative Payee for SSA (A-09-03-13011) C-2
Accounting for Social Security Benefits could be Improved: a. SFDHS was unaware of the requirement to maintain individual accounts for its beneficiaries.
Response: The Department concurs. We now maintain separate records on all child beneficiaries to show the benefits we receive from SSA, payments recorded in the WCDS, and how much savings were accrued and where beneficiary lived during accounting period.. b. SSA’s procedures require that Rep Payees apply benefits received on behalf of a beneficiary only for the use and benefit of that beneficiary. Response: The Department concurs. We have always applied benefits received on behalf of a beneficiary solely for the use and benefit of that beneficiary, even in the past when the Department did not maintain separate records on child beneficiaries. Our goal is to continue to maintain the fiscal integrity and accountability for the conserved funds of all child beneficiaries for whom we serve as Representative Payee. To this end, in December 2002, we established two separate subsidiary accounts titled SSI Foster Care Beneficiary Trust and SSA Foster Care Beneficiary Trust within our Agency Funds group (separate from our General Fund) to track the OASDI and SSI payments received on each beneficiary. All OASDI and SSI funds received on behalf of our payees are deposited into these subsidiary accounts. 7. Bank Account Not Properly Titled: SFDHS incorrectly titled the account for children in foster care to show the funds belonged to the Rep Payee rather than the beneficiaries.
Response: The Department concurs. The Department has created new subsidiary general ledger accounts titled “SSI Foster Care Beneficiary Trust” and “SSA Foster Care Beneficiary Trust” to reflect that the funds received on behalf of the beneficiaries are trust funds. We are certain that our new procedures will ensure that all conserved funds are not mingled with the General Fund or any of the department’s operating funds. Other Matters: 1. Conserved Funds Held in a non-interest-bearing account: SFDHS was not aware that SSA recommended that conserved funds in excess of $500 for adult beneficiaries be kept in interestbearing accounts. Response: The Department concurs.
SFDHS closed the checking account for the adult beneficiaries in May 2003 and transferred the balances of all active cases to the San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services (SFDAAS), the current Representative Payee for all former SFDHS adult beneficiaries. 2. Benefit Payments Not Accurately recorded: That SFDHS inadvertently posted two benefit payments ($807) to the incorrect adult beneficiary.
Response: The Department concurs. The $807 belonging to Marvin Peterson, (a deceased SSA beneficiary) was erroneously posted to Wesley Parker’s account. On July 2, 2002, the department issued $1,646.83 to SSA to close out Peterson account, understating his balance by the $807. In October 2002, we transferred Parker’s case and the balance in his account (which included Peterson’s $807) to SFDAAS. We have since taken action to refund the $807 to SSA and inform SFDAAS of this erroneous posting to Parker account. Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the draft audit report. If you have any questions please contact me or you may contact Leo Levenson, Finance Manager, San Francisco Department of Human Services, (415) 557-5140 or at Leo.Levenson@sfgov.org. Sincerely,
Trent Rhorer Executive Director
Note: The name of the beneficiary was redacted to prevent the disclosure of personal identifying information.
SFDHS – An Organizational Representative Payee for SSA (A-09-03-13011) C-4
Bill Fernandez, Director, Western Audit Division, (510) 970-1739 Jack H. Trudel, Deputy Director, (510) 970-1733
In addition to the persons named above: Joseph I. Robleto, Senior Auditor Daniel L. Hoy, Auditor Brennan Kraje, Statistician, Policy, Planning and Technical Services Kimberly Beauchamp, Writer-Editor, Policy, Planning and Technical Services For additional copies of this report, please visit our web site at www.ssa.gov/oig or contact the Office of the Inspector General’s Public Affairs Specialist at (410) 966-1375. Refer to Common Identification Number A-09-03-13011.
Commissioner of Social Security Office of Management and Budget, Income Maintenance Branch Chairman and Ranking Member, Committee on Ways and Means Chief of Staff, Committee on Ways and Means Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, Subcommittee on Social Security Majority and Minority Staff Director, Subcommittee on Social Security Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, Subcommittee on Human Resources Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Budget, House of Representatives Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Government Reform and Oversight Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Governmental Affairs Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives Chairman and Ranking Minority, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Finance Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, Subcommittee on Social Security and Family Policy Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, Senate Special Committee on Aging Social Security Advisory Board San Francisco Department of Human Services
Office of Audit The Office of Audit (OA) conducts comprehensive financial and performance audits of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) programs and makes recommendations to ensure that program objectives are achieved effectively and efficiently. Financial audits, required by the Chief Financial Officers' Act of 1990, assess whether SSA’s financial statements fairly present the Agency’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flow. Performance audits review the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of SSA’s programs. OA also conducts short-term management and program evaluations focused on issues of concern to SSA, Congress, and the general public. Evaluations often focus on identifying and recommending ways to prevent and minimize program fraud and inefficiency, rather than detecting problems after they occur. Office of Executive Operations The Office of Executive Operations (OEO) supports the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) by providing information resource management; systems security; and the coordination of budget, procurement, telecommunications, facilities and equipment, and human resources. In addition, this office is the focal point for the OIG’s strategic planning function and the development and implementation of performance measures required by the Government Performance and Results Act. OEO is also responsible for performing internal reviews to ensure that OIG offices nationwide hold themselves to the same rigorous standards that we expect from SSA, as well as conducting investigations of OIG employees, when necessary. Finally, OEO administers OIG’s public affairs, media, and interagency activities, coordinates responses to Congressional requests for information, and also communicates OIG’s planned and current activities and their results to the Commissioner and Congress. Office of Investigations The Office of Investigations (OI) conducts and coordinates investigative activity related to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of SSA programs and operations. This includes wrongdoing by applicants, beneficiaries, contractors, physicians, interpreters, representative payees, third parties, and by SSA employees in the performance of their duties. OI also conducts joint investigations with other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies. Counsel to the Inspector General The Counsel to the Inspector General provides legal advice and counsel to the Inspector General on various matters, including: 1) statutes, regulations, legislation, and policy directives governing the administration of SSA’s programs; 2) investigative procedures and techniques; and 3) legal implications and conclusions to be drawn from audit and investigative material produced by the OIG. The Counsel’s office also administers the civil monetary penalty program.
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