HARRISBURG — A review of Pennsylvania’s home heating assistance program found benefits are still going to people who are not eligible for them, a newspaper reported Thursday.

A Pittsburgh newspaper reported the state auditor general’s office found someone who had been dead for a year getting benefits and another applicant who was approved two times using different Social Security numbers.

The Department of Public Welfare responded that it has been making changes to address waste and fraud in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

“Multiple deficiencies have already been identified, and changes are currently being implemented,” said agency spokeswoman Anne Bale, according to the newspaper’s report.

Auditor General Jack Wagner accused the welfare department of “mounting a campaign of denial” when it should be fixing problems with LIHEAP.

Auditors also concluded the state wasted $800,000 in LIHEAP money by having outside vendors perform work the state could have completed with its own employees.

Wagner said welfare officials should do more to ensure the program, which costs $257 million a year, serves only eligible people. Under the program’s guidelines, a family of four with income below $35,280 can receive help.