DCFS Improves Processes to Identify, Remove Deceased Participants from SNAP Program

A follow-up evaluation of the Department of Children and Family Services’ (DCFS) processes for identifying and removing deceased SNAP participants from the program found significant improvement.

A Legislative Auditor’s report issued in July 2014 determined that, between July 2009 and June 2013, $1.3 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for 3,938 single-person households was spent after the individual had died. The report recommended that DCFS use available sources, such as death records from the Louisiana Department of Health’s Center of State Registrar & Vital Records, to monitor for deceased participants in single-person households.

In response, DCFS set up an automated death match process that receives vital records information each night. In addition, the Department established a monthly process to audit the nightly match to determine if it was working correctly.

In the report released today, auditors found that, between July 2013 and June 2017, the Department’s data checks identified 3,809 deceased SNAP participants, who were then removed from the program. However, the additional processes failed to identify 108 deceased participants, resulting in $42,599 in SNAP benefits that were spent improperly.