Vermont State Auditor Tom Salmon (D) released the results of an audit that examined whether dead people were receiving benefits from the state’s human services programs. The audit found 31 individuals listed as dead on Social Security roles that were active beneficiaries.
Montpelier — Vermont State Auditor Tom Salmon (D) released the results of an audit that examined whether dead people were receiving benefits from the state’s human services programs.
The audit found 31 individuals listed as dead on Social Security roles that were active beneficiaries.
Benefit payments relating to the 31 individuals made after their deaths were identified, totaling $10,600 in the Medicaid, Fuel Assistance, and 3SquaresVt. programs
Salmon said, “Given the large amounts of state and federal money that flow through human service programs, it’s important to ensure that controls are tight.”
Salmon pointed to a 2008 case in which a dead Vermonter received $1,280 in 3SquaresVt. payments over seven months follwoing his death, and the health care claims system (disbursed $215 to a provider for 43 months of Medicaid case management fees.
The audit identified weaknesses in the state’s system for checking deceased beneficiaries and verifying social security numbers.
The audit recommended improvements to the controls relating to detection and prevention of benefit payments to dead beneficiaries.
“Implementing these recommendations will greatly tighten DCF’s controls and reduce the risk of payments made to or on behalf of dead beneficiaries in the future,” Salmon said.
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