Department of Social Services
Family Support Division
PO Box 2320
Jefferson City, Missouri
TO: ALL FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICES
FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: 2020 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 1.6% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for MAGI programs effective January 2020.
Cases Adjusted
Cases that included income types RR and/or VA Benefits in the eligibility system were subject to an automatic increase of 1.6% for those income types. The eligibility system end dated the previous income and added a new piece of income evidence that reflected 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 the current income is entered. Update and verify income as required using established procedures.
Notices
For case updates made as a result of COLA, the eligibility system finalized the decision(s) and sent 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 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.
KE/kg