FNS: We recommend that the agency work with OCFO in taking the following actions to ensure compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019:
• Maintain a focus on continuous improvement in the development and implementation of new mitigation strategies (e.g., examination of existing controls in place and the implementation of more effective controls) to decrease IP and UP rates to a tolerable rate each year. If a program’s IP and UP rate does not improve or increases, take sufficient steps to identify root causes and implement appropriate corrective action that will reduce the rates year over year until the rate is below 10%.
• Where applicable and cost effective, implement automated enhancements to better prevent and detect errors
For each year of non-compliance:
FNS should provide in the OMB Annual Data Call revised information for SNAP describing the actions that the agency will take to come into compliance. This information should be published on PaymentAccuracy.gov and serve as the plan of what FNS will submit to the appropriate authorizing and appropriations committees of Congress as prescribed by M-21-19. FNS should consider revising the following:
• Updated measurable milestones to be accomplished in order to achieve compliance for each program
• The role and actions of the designated senior agency official accountable for the progress of the agency in coming into compliance
• The establishment of an accountability mechanism, such as a performance agreement, with appropriate incentives and consequences tied to the success of the senior agency official in leading the efforts of the agency to come into compliance for each program.
For 2nd consecutive year of non-compliance:
FNS should propose to the director of OMB in its next budget submission additional program integrity proposals for SNAP that would help the program come into compliance. This process will unfold as part of the annual development of the President’s budget. In the budget submission, the agency should describe how each proposal would help the program come into compliance.
If the director of OMB determines that additional funding would help the program become compliant, the agency should obligate an amount of additional funding determined by the director of OMB to intensify compliance efforts. When providing additional funding for compliance efforts, the agency should:
• Exercise reprogramming or transfer authority to provide additional funding to meet the level determined by the director of OMB; and
• Submit a request to Congress for additional reprogramming or transfer authority if additional funding is needed to meet the full level of funding determined by the director of OMB.