House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

October 15, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

A VIEW FROM THE INSIDE

State Representative Ruth Fahrbach

 

Heating assistance program needs some re-tooling

 

The $47 million federally-funded heating assistance program that serves 60,000 Connecticut households could be in jeopardy if the state continues to allow ineligible recipients to participate in the program. 

 

At issue is how Connecticut administers the program and whether Connecticut must require applicants to provide Social Security numbers as a fraud prevention measure.

 

The Department of Social Services (DSS) can require Community Action Agencies (CAA) that administer the program to request valid Social Security numbers from applicants. Recently, non-verification of applicants and use of false Social Security numbers have spawned an FBI fraud investigation into New Haven’s CAA.

 

Following a whistleblower complaint concerning the CAA in New Haven, an opinion was sought from the Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, on guidelines for Connecticut’s energy assistance program. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, in his opinion provided to the state DSS, stated that Social Security numbers can be used to verify income. Federal money can be provided only to those residing here legally, the Attorney General’s office said in a previous opinion.

 

The attorney general’s opinion makes it clear that it is illegal for Connecticut to provide federal energy assistance to non-qualified individuals. Also, his opinion indicated the state could require verifiable Social Security numbers from applicants as a fraud prevention measure.

 

It is incumbent upon us as a state to address this issue, and to avoid possible sanctions from the federal government. This program is valuable to those Connecticut residents who are in need to heating assistance, but we must make sure the assistance is given to U.S. citizens that are qualified.

 

Some legislators have called for the following steps to be taken to ensure the program is administered properly:

·        DSS to assign a veteran employee to review existing applications and ensure they are processed and funded according to state statute and federal law.

·        DSS to demand CAA Board of Directors immediately require the two main administrators of the LIHEAP program be placed on an administrative leave of absence until further notice.  There is evidence the two top administrators attempted to stifle employees when this matter became public.  The administrators’ presence therefore would impair any effort to have an open and fair audit.

·        Creation of a CAA Board of Directors in accordance with Connecticut General Statute Section 17b-886.

 

It is quite clear that we must do all we can to make sure we don’t jeopardize losing the $47 million in federal funding, which is counted on by many residents in need in our state.

 

Rep Ruth Fahrbach represents the 61st District, including Suffield, and parts of Windsor and East Granby, in the General Assembly.