We improve SSA programs and operations and protect them against fraud, waste, and abuse by conducting independent and objective audits, evaluations, and investigations. We provide timely, useful, and reliable information and advice to Administration officials, the Congress, and the public.

Authority

The Inspector General Act created independent audit and investigative units, called the Office of Inspector General (OIG). The mission of the OIG, as spelled out in the Act, is to:

By conducting independent and objective audits, investigations, and evaluations, we are agents of positive change striving for continuous improvement in the Social Security Administration's programs, operations, and management and in our own office.

SOCIAL SECURITY

This report presents the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) portion of the single audit of the State of Illinois for the Fiscal Year ended. KPMG LLP, Certified Public Accountants, performed the audit. The Department of Health and Human Services’ desk review concluded that the audit met Federal requirements.

The Illinois Disability Determination Services (DDS) performs disability determinations under SSA’s Disability Insurance (DI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs in accordance with Federal regulations. The DDS is reimbursed for 100 percent of allowable costs. The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) is the Illinois DDS’ parent agency.

For single audit purposes, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) assigns Federal programs a Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number. SSA’s DI and SSI programs are identified by CFDA number 96. SSA is responsible for resolving single audit findings reported under this CFDA number.

The single audit reported that DHS did not have a certification process in place to verify that DDS employees worked solely on SSA’s disability programs, as required by OMB Circular A-87. The corrective action plan indicated that DHS has expanded its certification process to include DDS employees (Appendix A).

We recommend that SSA ensure that a certification process is implemented for DDS employees who work solely on SSA’s disability programs.

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Please send copies of the final Audit Clearance Document to Mark Bailey in Kansas City, Missouri, and Paul Wood in Baltimore, Maryland. If you have questions, contact Mark Bailey at (816) 936-5591.

Steven L. Schaeffer

Attachments

Appendix A

Page 1 of 2

Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs
Current Findings
For the Year Ended June 30, 2000

Adequate supporting documentation does not exist to substantiate payroll costs claimed for federal reimbursement under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.

IDHS does not have an established process to obtain certifications from employees who work solely on the SSDI program in order to verify that they spent 100% of their time on this federal program. We reviewed a sample of 25 employee payroll expenditures totaling $19,236 noting that no certifications were made. Furthermore, our discussions with IDHS management indicate that no certifications were obtained for any employees throughout the fiscal year. For each of these payroll expenditures, we reviewed the payroll records and contacted the employee and inquired whether they worked solely on the SSDI program. Total payroll costs charged to the SSDI program for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000 was $18,856,858.

In discussing these conditions with IDHS officials, they state the Agency had a certification process in place and was in the process of finalizing the procedures for the SSDI program.

Inadequate documentation and lack of required semiannual certifications may result in the federal funds being expended for unallowable purposes. (Finding Code 00-11)

(Continued)

Appendix A

Page 2 of 2

STATE OF ILLINOIS

Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs

Current Findings

For the Year Ended June 30, 2000

We recommend 1DHS implement a certification process for employees that work solely on a single federal award or cost objective which requires each employee to certify, no less than semi-annually, that they worked solely on the applicable federal program for the period covered.

We agree with the recommendation. We implemented expanded procedures to certify SSDI employees work solely on the federal program on January 12, 2001.

Some items such as graphics or charts used in reports were unable to be converted to internet format at this time. Therefore, if you would like a copy of the full report please write:

Office of the Inspector General
Public Affairs
300 Altmeyer Bldg.
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore MD 21235

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.

The Office of Executive Operations (OEO) provides four functions for the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) – administrative support, strategic planning, quality assurance, and public affairs. OEO supports the OIG components by providing information resources management; systems security; and the coordination of budget, procurement, telecommunications, facilities and equipment, and human resources. In addition, this Office coordinates and is responsible for the OIG’s strategic planning function and the development and implementation of performance measures required by the Government Performance and Results Act. The quality assurance division performs internal reviews to ensure that OIG offices nationwide hold themselves to the same rigorous standards that we expect from the Agency. This division also conducts employee investigations within OIG. The public affairs team communicates OIG’s planned and current activities and the results to the Commissioner and Congress, as well as other entities.

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.

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.