Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

Selected Access Controls Related to the Electronic Benefit Transfer System

In New York State, public assistance benefits and food stamp benefits are provided electronically through an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system administered by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). We examined whether the controls established by OTDA provided adequate assurance that only authorized individuals could obtain access to the data and computer programming in this EBT system. At the time of our audit, the EBT system was operational only in New York City. We found that OTDA did not routinely monitor and update user access rights, and as a result, former employees could inappropriately obtain access to the EBT system. We recommended that OTDA strengthen its controls over access to the system.

For a complete copy of Report 2000-S-66 click here.
For a copy of the 90-day response click here.