Position Added In Department of Social Services' Budget Already Paying Off
FONDA - County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort announced on Thursday that one position in the Department of Social Services, added in the 2015 County Budget, is already saving Montgomery County taxpayers. The Resource Recovery position generated more than $30,000 back to the county in a month period, from late January to late February.
"I commend Commissioner Michael McMahon and his staff on making the best use of the resources they have available," Ossenfort said. "The resources that the Department of Social Services can provide are critical, but abuse of those services should not and will not be tolerated. We remain committed to taking the necessary steps to make sure that we are good stewards of taxpayer money."
In a one month timeframe, the total amount of cash payments, repayment agreements, recouped claims and claims terminated by county transfer was $30,941.45. The majority of that (63 percent) came from active claims being recouped, where Montgomery County put a claim on a client's budget and takes 10 percent per month until the balance is paid in full. Another sizeable chunk came from terminated claims, in which Montgomery County no longer has to provide services because individuals are receiving assistance in other counties within the state.
"Adding positions into the budget is something that isn't done without much scrutiny," said Personnel Committee Chairperson Barbara S, Wheeler, Legislator, District 7. "However, these positions are proving cost effective, in that they are essentially paying for themselves. We want to provide public assistance to those who really need it, but we owe it to all taxpayers to recover misspent funds."
"My employees deal with a wide variety of issues every single day, but we are focused on promoting the well being of our county citizens through supportive social services," added McMahon. "The Department of Social Services will continue to work to ensure integrity and safeguard public assistance funds at the county level through prevention, detection, investigation and ultimately recovery of funds."
The Resource Recovery Unit is responsible for the recovery of available funds from client resources such as property liens, recovery from personal injury settlements, collection of Medicaid recoveries from claims against estates and the collection of funds from nursing home personal needs accounts.
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