Report 2015-503 Recommendation 5 Responses
Report 2015-503: Follow-Up—California Department of Social Services: It Has Not Corrected Previously Recognized Deficiencies in Its Oversight of Counties' Antifraud Efforts for the CalWORKs and CalFresh Programs (Release Date: June 2015)
Recommendation #5 To: Social Services, Department of
To make certain that counties receive the greatest benefit from the resources they spend on antifraud efforts related to CalWORKs and CalFresh cases, Social Services should, using the results from the recommended cost-effectiveness analysis, determine why some counties' efforts to combat welfare fraud are more cost-effective than others.
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From November 2020
As recommended by the CSA, CDSS has made certain that counties have received the greatest benefit from the resources spent on antifraud efforts related to CalWORKs and CalFresh cases. Subsequent to the guidance issued in the I-75-19 ACIN, CDSS has followed up with each county to recommend they use an additional spreadsheet calculator, so they can expedite and automate cost savings and effectiveness calculations. The spreadsheet calculator, provided to counties on March 17, 2020, also is included with this response. Our Data Integrity and Stewardship Bureau (DISB), also conducts onsite SIU Reviews to document progress made with the cost savings and effectiveness analysis. Several of our counties were involved in the stakeholder review of the guidance issued on December 11, 2019 and were eager and thankful to receive the completed guidance. Some counties use the analysis to bargain for additional staff. We are still in the process of gathering and comparing county results. Counties with designated early fraud staff have more cost savings, as expected, and the accurate determination of benefits still is our highest priority.
- Completion Date: December 2019
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Partially Implemented
Social Services has taken the first step to implement a tool to calculate the cost effectiveness efforts of fraud efforts as referred to in recommendation 4, but the point of this recommendation was the sharing of best practices among counties to ensure that they receive the greatest benefit from the resources they spend on anti-fraud efforts.
- Auditee did not address all aspects of the recommendation
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From November 2019
CDSS has disseminated a draft Fraud Cost Savings and Effectiveness ACIN to stakeholders. A final letter will be published by March 2020.
- Estimated Completion Date: March 2020
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From November 2018
As stated in the response to Recommendation 4, CDSS' Program Integrity Bureau is working closely with fiscal staff to examine savings assumptions and county cost data. County cost codes are currently under evaluation to determine if they can be used in a cost-savings methodology or if changes are needed. CDSS is also analyzing the ongoing CalWORKs and CalFresh benefits and county administrative savings part of the cost-savings methodology to determine if and how the methodology should change. Anticipated completion date of the analysis is March 31, 2019. If the analysis determines new savings assumptions should be used, CDSS will revise the methodology and disseminate to all counties via an All County Information Notice by June 2019.
- Estimated Completion Date: June 2019
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending
This recommendation has been outstanding since the release of the original audit in November 2009. We are hopeful that Social Services is serious in its stated intent to address this recommendation by June 2019.
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From December 2017
See response to Recommendation 4. If the cost-effectiveness analysis reveals specific county efforts to combat welfare fraud are more cost-effective than others, CDSS will work with counties to identify best practices that may be replicated.
- Estimated Completion Date: June 2019
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From November 2016
See response to Recommendation 4.
- Estimated Completion Date: March 2017
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Not Fully Implemented
1-Year Agency Response
CDSS is completing its assessment of cost data to determine if it is sufficient for inclusion in the cost savings methodology.
- Estimated Completion Date: September 2016
- Response Date: June 2016
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Pending
6-Month Agency Response
See response to Recommendation 4.
- Estimated Completion Date: 6/30/16
- Response Date: December 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Partially Implemented
60-Day Agency Response
CDSS has selected sample counties whose available data will be reviewed to initiate our assessment.
- Estimated Completion Date: June 30, 2016
- Response Date: August 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
All Recommendations in 2015-503
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.