OLYMPIA — A state audit of the Department of Social and Health Services’ food and financial assistance programs to low-income residents found the state could save or recover an estimated $1 million in benefits paid out to people who are ineligible because they either make too much money or live out of state.
The audit, released Wednesday by the state auditor’s office, said it didn’t find any instances where benefits were given to household members who used an invalid Social Security number, or where transactions were made at prohibited businesses like casinos or strip clubs.
The audit suggested that the agency revise some of its current systems to better identify changing income of recipients as well as to determine how frequently electronic benefit transfer cards are being used out of state.
Officials say that in 2013, more than 1.1 million people in the state received food benefits, more than doubling from five years earlier.
