Department of Social Services
Family Support Division
PO Box 2320
Jefferson City, Missouri
TO: ALL FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICES
FROM: PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: 2019 MAGI COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) FOR VETERANS ADMINISTRATION AND RAILROAD INCOME
DISCUSSION:
This memorandum informs staff that Railroad Retirement (RR) and Veterans Administration (VA) participants received a 2.8% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for MAGI programs effective January 2019.
Cases Adjusted
Cases that include MEDES income types of Railroad Retirement and/or VA Benefits were subject to an automatic increase of 2.8% for those income types. MEDES end dated the previous income and added a new piece of income evidence that reflects the adjusted income amount.
Cases That Did Not Adjust
Some cases did not adjust during this COLA. These cases will require manual intervention from staff to add the increased income amounts. As cases are reviewed, check income on each case to determine if current income is entered. Update and verify income as required using established procedures.
Notices
For case updates made as a result of COLA, MEDES finalized the decision(s) and send out the appropriate notices. The reasons and notices that were sent are as follows:
- Cases with no change were sent the IM-33C.
- Cases that resulted in benefit reduction were sent an IM-80 allowing 10 days for the individual to respond to the proposed case action. The IM-33C was sent after the IM-80 expired.
- Cases that resulted in individuals who no longer qualify were sent an IM-80 PRE allowing 10 days for the individual to respond to the proposed case action. An IM-80PRE and IM-80 were sent, followed by the IM-33C.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
PL/ers