DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
FAMILY SUPPORT DIVISION
PO BOX 2320
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI
IM-#071, 12/19/2018
TO: ALL FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICES
FROM: PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: FAMIS SUPPLEMENTAL AID TO THE BLIND (SAB) AND BLIND PENSION (BP) ADJUSTMENT
- MANUAL REVISION #51
0415.005
0510.000.00
BP PRORATION CHART
DISCUSSION:
Effective July 1, 2018, the maximum grant for SAB and BP increases from $738 to $750. A Family Assistance Management Information System (FAMIS) mass adjustment was completed the weekend of June 9, 2018.
This memorandum discusses the following:
- ELIGIBILITY UNITS (EUS) IN THE CONTROLLED FLOW
- CONFLICT OF ACTIONS
- OTHER ACTIONS
- NOTICES
- FAIR HEARING REQUEST
ELIGIBILITY UNITS (EUS) IN THE CONTROLLED FLOW
If an eligibility unit (EU) with existing SAB/BP income is in the FAMIS controlled flow, the SAB/BP grant amount will not be adjusted. These cases will appear on the “Cases Not Adjusted/Error” Report and will not be adjusted by the system until the controlled flow is completed. Priority attention must be given to this listing as participant’s SAB/BP grant amount will be incorrect beginning July 1, 2018.
When the case is taken through the flow a July 2018 budget and subsequent budget months must be entered, FAMIS will then calculate the deficiency or retroactive SAB/BP grant amount and issue those payments to the participant. To check for deficiency or retroactive SAB/BP payment issuance after the overnight batch process, view the Payment History (PAYHIST/FM5F) screen.
NOTE: Deficiency (DEF) payments are issued if the month for which they are intended has passed; retroactive (RTO) payments are issued if the month for which they are intended is the current month.
CONFLICT OF ACTIONS
FAMIS adjusts the income on EUs with a pending adverse action at the time of the mass adjustment. This results in a conflict of actions because one adverse action must be completed or voided before the new action can be taken. The Eligibility Specialist receives the alert “OUTSTANDING ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION”. The conflict must be resolved by the Eligibility Specialist.
Access the Action Resolution (ACTRES/ FM5O) screen and void the pending adverse action, if appropriate. Each action must be reviewed to ensure a needed action is not voided.
Adverse actions with reasons APT, MIN, or COO should only be voided if the participant has taken the necessary steps to resolve the closing reason. IF they have not cooperated, by rescheduling the appointment, providing missing releases, etc., do not void the action. FAMIS will resolve the conflict when the initial closing is acted upon.
If it is determined that the previous action can be voided, refer to the user guide Changing an Adverse Action Status for instructions how to void. After voiding the adverse action, access the Eligibility Determination Resolution (EDRES/ FM3Y) screen, run a new eligibility determination, and authorize the new adverse action. FAMIS will produce an Adverse Action Notice (FA510) or a MO HealthNet Adverse Action Notice (FA410) and take action when the notice has expired.
OTHER ACTIONS
For eligibility determinations completed on or before June 9, 2018, FAMIS will use the previous SAB/BP grant amount for the budget months through June 2018. For eligibility determinations completed June 10, 2018 or after, FAMIS will use the previous SAB/BP grant amount for budget months through June 2018 and use the new SAB/BP grant amount for the month of July 2018 and ongoing.
NOTICES
A Claimant Action Notice (FA150) is sent for the following types of cases during the mass adjustment, notifying them of the July 2018 change of benefits:
- all Child Care cases adjusted;
- all Temporary Assistance cases adjusted;
- all Food Stamps case adjusted.
No action notice is being sent for Food Stamps, or Temporary Assistance cases that result in no change (NOCH) in benefits due to the SAB/BP mass adjustment.
An Adult MO HealthNet Adverse Action Notice (FA420) will be sent for Adult MO HealthNet cases that result in a change in benefits due to the SAB/BP adjustment. An Adult MO HealthNet Benefit Notice (FA460) will be sent once the adverse action notice expires.
FAIR HEARING REQUEST
If the EU requests a fair hearing, send the request to the Hearings Unit the same day.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
PL/vb