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DHS - OIG-23-42 - 4

Closed · 2023-08-24

From report

Report
Ineffective Controls Over COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Leave the Program Susceptible to Waste and Abuse
OIG report number
OIG-23-42
Recommendation number
4

Recommendation text

We recommend that the FEMA Administrator strengthen and monitor improvement of FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance training practices with particular focus on: a) distinguishing legitimate sources of potential duplication such as decedent’s name and social security number from potential duplications that arise due to FEMA using a repurposed Individual Assistance processing system, with a data field such as damaged dwelling address; b) preventing FEMA from reimbursing expenses exceeding the maximum $9,000 per decedent; and c) deducting financial assistance received from outside sources such as pre-need funeral arrangements, burial insurance, and assistance from other voluntary or government agencies.