Government efficiency

Gov't paid millions of dollars to over 3,400 deceased farmers

The Agriculture Department has paid millions of dollars to dead farmers over the last several years, according to an audit released Monday.

The Government Accountability Office estimated in a new report that agencies within the department may have paid more than $30 million to thousands of deceased recipients between 2008 and 2012. The findings come as Congress tries to pass a new farm bill, and could stir concerns among conservatives that the government's many subsidy programs are not being carefully managed.

The GAO found that at two agencies that play a big role in aid for farmers, until changes are made "these agencies cannot know if they are providing payments to, or subsidies on behalf of, deceased individuals."

The report found that at the Risk Management Agency, which deals with crop insurance, a review of payments showed $22 million may have gone to more than 3,400 individuals "two or more years after death."

The GAO report faulted the agency for not using a Social Security Administration master list to verify whether policyholders have died. It said some of the payments could have been "proper" but the agency cannot be sure.