1. 1 DHS Office of Inspector General

2. 2 Introduction l Front End Eligibility (FEE) targets active cases with immediate concerns i.e., dual assistance. l FEE targets cases that meet certain error prone criteria or irregularities.

3. 3 Description l OIG will investigate to substantiate or refute discrepancies and suspicions. This includes but is not limited to telephone contacts, home calls, collateral contacts, etc. l OIG’s objective is to complete Specialist’s referrals within 10 working days of receipt. For OIG data mining cases the SOP is 30 working days i.e., “Out of State” referrals. l Investigation will continue until resolved.

4. 4 Goals l Develop a partnership between the FIS/ES Staff and OIG Staff. l Reduce errors and mispayments. l Identify costs savings to all DHS Assistance programs. l Implement the program statewide in all assistance programs administered by DHS.

5. 5 Technology l Smartlinx was created to assist governmental agencies in accessing numerous public records and personal information through a single online transaction l ChoicePoint is an online web-based Data Broker informational system that provides Credit Information.

6. 6 Technology - Continued l ChoicePoint transactions will be conducted by OIG staff. l SmartLinx, a web based application that provides comprehensive reports on individuals, businesses, real estate, criminal history, tax information and much more.

7. 7 Team/Resources l County Directors, District Mgrs. & FIMs l Local office staff: Support and cooperation of County staff, who are responsible for processing DHS applications and recertification i.e., Specialist & SSPC East and West. l OIG Staff l Access database: Loaded on both OIG and local office staff computers for recording and tracking case actions and generating reports.

8. 8 Investigation Referral Process l Referrer (FIS/ES, FIMs & OIG) initiates the Front-End Eligibility Referral Process by completing “Application/Referral Information” (Sections I and II) via the FEE Database. l Referrer updates & completes “Action Taken” (Section IV) as a result of Investigation”. Referrer

9. 9 Investigation Referral Process l Referral Criteria u Customer’s expenses exceeds income u Questionable resources u Questionable identity u Cases with earned/unearned income u Contradictory or confusing information provided by the applicant. u Household Composition questioned. Referrer

10. 10 Investigation Referral Process u Work clothing that suggest possible employment. u Cases with sanctioned members. u Cases with shared/prorated shelter cost - utilities exceeds shelter cost, yet listed as included in shelter cost. u Cases identified as error prone or mutually agreed upon for inclusion in the project. u Questionable Residence. Referrer

11. 11 Investigation Referral Process l l Prepares a referral packet consisting of Section I & II (printed from the database), copy of application and all suspect documentation or supporting documents (i.e., shelter forms, employment verifications, etc.) l l Submits referral packet to OIG and DHS Management if requested. Referrer

12. 12 Investigation Referral Process l Review packet for completeness. l Forwards the referral packet with documentation to the OIG agent. – OIG agents will pick up referral packets each morning from their designated DHS District Office(s) or electronically via FEE database. FIM/OIG Mgr.

13. 13 Investigation Referral Process l Receives assigned referral. l Run data broker transactions and evaluate data received from the transaction. l Follow up on leads identified via LexisNexis Smart Linx transaction and/or information provided by the specialist. l Verification process will include home and collateral calls, telephone calls, etc. OIG AGENT

14. 14 Investigation Referral Process l Completes the investigation within 10 or 30 work days.  Note: The investigation process does not allow for mail requests. Must notify referrer if the response will not meet the 10- 30 day standard of promptness. Referrer determines if an extension will be allowed or act on information available. l Prepares a written report of the investigation. l Submits a copy of the completed Investigation Report (Section III) to the Specialist and/or FIM. OIG AGENT

15. 15 Investigation Referral Process – OIG AGENT l l Retains a copy of the FEE Referral (Section I & II) in pending file. (Await final action from FIS/ES). l l Follow up with Specialist/Referrer on outstanding Section IV (Action Taken) dispositions or completes Bridges queries to affirm accuracy of case determination completed by Specialist and completes Section IV.

16. 16 Investigation Referral Process l Receives OIG response via Section III, Investigative Findings Form. l Determines appropriate action within SOP; wait a specified period for reply to DHS Notices or base decision on information available. l Determines appropriate action to be taken based on OIG’s findings in Section IV by issuing full benefits, reduced, or deny benefits. Referrer

17. 17 Investigation Referral Process l FEE database automatically calculates group program cost avoidance by subtracting benefits issued from the estimated full benefits identified on the Average SNAP & FIP Benefits chart. l Cost Savings for programs other than SNAP & FIP must be is estimated manually. l Forwards a Signed & Dated Section IV identifying their response to the OIG agent. l Make a request for full investigation through the recoupment specialist in accordance with normal operating procedures, if warranted. Referrer

18. 18 Average SNAP Benefit $$$$ Use this table to calculate program savings if, in fact an application is denied or modified based upon FEE

19. 19 Average FIP Benefit $$$$$ Use this table to calculate program savings if, in fact an application is denied or modified based upon FEE

20. 20 Investigation Referral Process l Receives response from Specialist. l Reviews to ensure the disposition has been entered on the database & a Closed Date is listed. l Notifies OIG Manager of case completion. l Files disposition in investigation file. OIG AGENT

21. 21 Investigation Referral Process l Receives investigation file with disposition. l Reviews disposition to determine if the Agent/Referrer recommended an OIG Full Investigation. If so the investigation will continue to determine prior & on-going fraud. l Generate reports as needed. – SOP reports, follow up with agent to make sure FIS/ES is notified if 10-30 day SOP will not be met. OIG MANAGER

22. 22 Investigation Referral Process – Monitors the SOP on responses from FIS/ES on dispositions (action taken as a result of OIG’s findings). – Monitors OIG Agent’s 10- 30 day SOP (OIG SOP Pending/Overdue Rpt.) – Cost avoidance reports, savings based on the amount of assistance the applicant(s) would have received had benefits been approved or not issued at a reduced rate. – Monitors Agent caseloads, for future assignments. OIG MANAGER

23. Oakland County’s 2011 FEE Stats n District #2 Madison Heights generated 730 referrals, cost savings $990,872.88. n District #3 Walled Lake generated 243 referrals, cost savings $170,615.04. n District #4 Saginaw Street generated 211 referrals, cost savings $65,399.36 n Oakland saved a Grand Total of $1,226,887.28 n Statewide Total 30.6 Million $$$$$$ 23

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