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Report File
Date Issued
Submitting OIG
Department of Homeland Security OIG
Other Participating OIGs
Department of Homeland Security OIG
Agencies Reviewed/Investigated
Department of Homeland Security
Components
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Report Number
OIG-22-69
Report Description

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) did not implement controls that may have prevented the 21 state workforce agencies (SWA) in our review from distributing more than $3.7 billion in improper payments through its Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program.

Report Type
Audit
Special Projects
Pandemic
Agency Wide
Yes
Number of Recommendations
7
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0

Open Recommendations

This report has 4 open recommendations.
Recommendation Number Significant Recommendation Recommended Questioned Costs Recommended Funds for Better Use Additional Details
3 No $0 $0

We recommend the FEMA Administrator update the State Administrative Plan template to incorporate a requirement for grantees to include a description of the steps to prevent improper payments.

4 No $0 $0

We recommend the FEMA Administrator develop and implement a process to monitor whether grantees implement and use the controls attested in FEMA-approved State Administrative Plans.

5 No $0 $0

We recommend the FEMA Administrator work with state workforce agencies to evaluate the Lost Wages Assistance program payments and verify that all recipients who received payment have a self-certification on file, as required; to determine whether the claimant meets eligibility requirements if no self-certification is on file; and, if not, to recover the payment.

6 No $0 $0

We recommend the FEMA Administrator conduct an after-action study of the Lost Wages Assistance program and update FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program based on the lessons learned from the study.

Department of Homeland Security OIG

United States