According to a report from the Mississippi Department of Human Services’ Benefit Recovery Unit, more than $4.6 million dollars were recovered over the 2022 State Fiscal Year.
Prior investigations into these public funds revealed that they had been either defrauded or improperly issued.
The MDHS’ Benefit Recovery Unit within the Office of Inspector General is responsible for establishing, monitoring, tracking, and recovering overpayments related to improper benefits found within the MDHS’ programmatic divisions.
The latest recovered funds were found in cases involving the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, SNAP, Child Care Discretionary Funding, and TANF.
In addition, the 2022 Fiscal Year Recovery is $4,618,812.90 which is an increase of approximately $1.3 million over the 2021 Fiscal Year.
“MDHS will continue to enhance the monitoring of our programs” Sandra Griffith, MDHS Inspector General said. “Through training and stringent oversight, we will make sure questioned costs are identified, recouped, or investigated if needed. We will make certain the money intended for Mississippians in need is used for the identified purpose.”
Questioned costs are identified by the Division of Monitoring and submitted to the Benefit Recovery Unit for recoupment. Improperly issued funds are also investigated by the Office of Inspector General’s Investigations Division, which may submit the information to Benefit Recovery for recoupment.
