State could have paid benefits to those not eligible, legislative audit finds (MN-welfare to all!)

Pioneer Press ^ | 4-12-06 | JEREMY OLSON

[Rakkasan1]

A legislative audit is calling for tighter eligibility procedures for Minnesota health and welfare benefits after finding widespread errors in the evaluations of noncitizens, including illegal immigrants.

County workers made errors in seven of 10 cases in which they determined eligibility of noncitizens for benefits, according to the evaluation, which was released Wednesday morning by the Legislative Auditor's office. Most of the procedural errors made no difference, but the audit found that 18 percent of the mistakes could have resulted in incorrect rulings on eligibility status.

That means the state could have paid for benefits for some people who weren't supposed to get them, and denied benefits for others who were eligible and in need. Errors were found even in counties with high noncitizen populations.

"It is reasonable to expect staff in these counties are relatively knowledgeable in this area," the report said. "However, we found a significant number of errors, even in those counties with large noncitizen caseloads."

[Rakkasan1]

non-citizen. that's the new silly nickname of the day.

The audit called for updated procedures and training on determining eligibility, and the addition of a state employee who specializes in noncitizen eligibility.

I could do that job for $50 a day. I have a red stamp that reads "denied".

[reformedliberal]

No clients, no job. No surprise that they go for numbers of clients over eligibility.

[Robertsll]

A legislative audit is calling for tighter eligibility procedures for Minnesota health and welfare benefits after finding widespread errors in the evaluations of noncitizens, including illegal immigrants.

Why don't we solve the problem by legalizing all of them by giving 12-20 million people citizenship. Then there won't be any "widespread errors". Anyone who applies for benefits gets the welfare they deserve (at taxpayer expense of course).

[LoudRepublicangirl]

Anyone who applies for benefits gets the welfare they deserve (at taxpayer expense of course).

That is exactly what will happen.