Thomas Cooper, Deputy Commissioner

A&QI is the audit and investigative arm of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). A&QI efforts are critical in ensuring that OTDA meets its supervisory responsibilities over the administration of its programs provided by local Social Services Districts (SSDs). A&QI provides information to OTDA program management on whether locally implemented programs are in compliance with applicable State Laws and Regulations and offers recommendations for corrective action when deficiencies are identified. A&QI conducts federally mandated quality control reviews for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); collects and reports data on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and Safety Net Maintenance of Effort (SN-MOE) cases; undertakes program audits and operational reviews; conducts data analysis; and administers program integrity activities such as prison matches, PARIS Interstate matches, Front End Detection Systems (FEDS), Recipient Web Fraud referrals, the Lottery Match, Retailer Fraud (SLEB) agreements and SNAP Trafficking investigations. A&QI delivers Program Integrity data to SSDs and monitors their performance through the Recipient Fraud Matching System. A&QI is also responsible for the coordination of OTDA responses to external audits. Internal Audit is a separate unit co-located within A&QI and the Director of A&QI also serves as the Director of Internal Audit for OTDA.