State DCFS secretary responds to Legislative Audit Report

Dear Editor,

As with all programs, the Department of Children and Family Services works to ensure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is available for eligible applicants by aggressively protecting against fraud and abuse. DCFS has safeguards in place to ensure that only eligible citizens receive SNAP benefits, identify those who are dishonest about their eligibility and to pursue recoupment and/or prosecution in each case.

DCFS’ dedicated unit for investigating fraud and abuse utilizes the latest in technology to identify individuals who are trying to cheat the system. Over the past two years, DCFS has worked to modernize its systems with the launch of CAFÉ, which provides greater safeguards in determining eligibility such as data mining with our federal and state partners. As a result of this and other improvements, DCFS has seen its overall payment error rate improve to 4th best in the nation and continues to see its timeliness of cases above the national average.

The Legislative Auditor’s report cited areas where potential fraud could occur and DCFS agrees with all four recommendations provided in the report that could improve identification of participation fraud. DCFS has already started working with our state and federal partners in implementing these suggestions.

DCFS takes seriously our responsibility to be good stewards of the resources provided. DCFS is reviewing all the cases cited in the report for potential fraud and will work with authorities to prosecute those who have purposely tried to defraud the system. We will also forward any cases involving retailers to the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service who monitors and investigates retailers.

Suzy Sonnier,

La. DCFS Secretary