Republicans call for reform following report on welfare waste

WWLP TV

Updated: Feb 4, 2013 7:39 PM

BOSTON (WWLP) — Several mishaps in the Massachusetts welfare system have led to the resignation of the state's welfare chief. And now, Republican lawmakers say there need to be major reforms, which they plan to address in the upcoming state budget.

The report from the Inspector General's office found that the state overpaid more than $25 million to ineligible welfare recipients. 

The federal government also determined that the state's Department of Transitional Assistance overpaid federal food stamp recipients by nearly $30 million. 

The state also says nearly 7,000 welfare recipients were receiving benefits checks at incorrect addresses.

Rep. Brad Hill (R-Ipswich) says that Republicans are going to try to get something done about welfare reform now, even though many on Beacon Hill have been hesitant to act in the past.

“We would be taking up all of these issues in the state budget, which is where it needs to take place,” Hill said. “We've been raising the red flag for years and years and years, and people have been just basically turning their heads the other way.”

Following the revelations from the Inspector General’s report last week, Department of Transitional Assistance Commissioner Daniel Curley resigned. He has been replaced by Patrick administration aide Stacey Monahan.

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