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Friday, July 7, 2006
Government Efficiency: DSHS rewarded
The state bureaucracy comes under frequent criticism -- often well earned -- for the way it spends taxpayers' money. And the state Department of Social and Health Services is a favorite target.
But DSHS actually has earned money for the state's taxpayers for its management of the federal Basic Food program (what used to be known as food stamps).
The federal government has awarded DSHS a $4.8 million performance bonus. The department earned the bonus by dramatically reducing the number of errors it made in operating the federal program in federal fiscal year 2005.
The federal government pays for the benefits but the state is expected to pick up about half the administrative costs. The program helps a half-million Washington families put food on the table.
An error takes place when a family receives Basic Food benefits, that are too high or too low or for which the family is not eligible under federal rules. Sometimes the mistake is the fault of the caseworker and sometimes it's the fault of the recipient.
In fiscal year 2004, Washington's error rate was 7.62 percent but by 2005 the error rate had been reduced to 2.72 percent. No state made a greater improvement. Washington now has the third-lowest error rate in the nation.
Efficient operation of such a program doesn't just benefit taxpayers by spending their money appropriately. It also ensures that there is more money available to help struggling families and that the help goes where it is most needed.
Tell us what's on your mind.
 | |
| What's the most efficient way to deliver social services? | |
 28.7%State agencies |
4.2% Federal agencies |
| 60.5% Private, nonprofits |
6.6% Don't know or don't care |
| Total Votes: 167 | |
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