Audit Criticizes Verification of Minnesota Welfare Benefits
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota's legislative auditor has found that some of the state's welfare programs do a poor job of making sure that recipients are actually eligible for benefits.
An audit released Friday looked at several federally funded programs that help low-income, elderly and disabled Minnesotans.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the audit showed some problems. For example, the audit reviewed 24 families on the Temporary Assistance For Needy Families program, and found that eight of them were not eligible for benefits. That program is administered by county workers.
Department of Human Services Commissioner Emily Johnson Piper agreed with the findings and says the department will work to improve training for county workers.
The issue could become a political issue as lawmakers craft the next budget.