IM-165 INTRODUCTION TO THE ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION SYSTEM (EVS)

Department of Social Services
Family Support Division
PO Box 2320
Jefferson City, Missouri

TO: ALL FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICES

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION TO THE ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION SYSTEM (EVS)

MANUAL ADDITION #

0110.060.00	0110.060.15.10	0110.060.25
0110.060.45	0110.060.05	0110.060.15.15
0110.060.30	0110.060.10	0110.060.15.20
0110.060.35	0110.060.15	0110.060.15.25
0110.060.40	0110.060.15.05	0110.060.20

FORM REVISION #

Authorization for Verification (IM-6EVS)

DISCUSSION:

Several new eligibility tools are being implemented by the Family Support Division (FSD). These tools are designed to ease some of the burden on participants to provide verification while improving the accuracy of eligibility determinations.

EVS is the larger umbrella term for many electronic verification sources- some of which FSD has used for years, and some of which are new to the agency.

This memo introduces the manual sections, forms, guides, and training information for the EVS.

The following manual sections have been added to the General Information Manual:

It is very important that all staff review the new manual sections thoroughly.

Training will be conducted using a series of webinars to introduce the new EVS sources and requirements. You will receive notifications and invitations to these trainings via email.

The following new guides have been created:

Electronic Verification System Sources

Accuity Portal Guide

The following guides have been updated:

MHABD Caseworker Reference Guide- Liquid Assets

Comment Quick Reference Guide – Liquid Resources section

New EVS Sources:

Accuity: Portal that provides information regarding liquid assets such as bank accounts.
- This source will be accessed for the MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MHABD) program at the time of application and at annual renewal.
- Accessing information from Accuity at application and annual review is required by federal regulation 42 U.S.C. § 1396w.
- Release is scheduled for December 1, 2020.
Benefit Assessment: Portal titled Accurint for Government Eligibility that provides information regarding real property, personal property, incarceration, and death.
- This source will be accessed as needed for the MHABD and Family MO HealthNet (MHN) programs at the time of application and annual renewal.
- Release is scheduled for December 2020.
Program Participation Analyzer (PPA): Portal that provides information regarding duplicate participation in other states for participants of the MHABD, Family MHN, Temporary Assistance (TA), and Child Care (CC) programs.
- This source will be accessed for MHABD, Family MHN, TA, and CC cases at the time of application and annual renewal.
- MHABD release is scheduled for December 2020.
- TA and CC release is scheduled for January 2021.
National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC): Portal that provides information regarding duplicate participation in other states for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- This source will be accessed for SNAP cases at the time of application and mid-certification review.
- Release is scheduled for March 2021.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requirements:

The Accuity and Accurint for Government Eligibility portals provide information from a consumer reporting agency, which adds some additional requirements for FSD.

Authorization: Applicants and recipients give their authorization to match information with the consumer reporting agency when the applicant signs the application. FSD needs authorization from eligibility unit members who are not applying for or receiving public assistance benefits before reviewing EVS sources that have FCRA requirements, also known as FCRA sources. Please thoroughly review manual section 0110.060.15 Fair Credit Reporting Act Authorization for additional information.
- The Authorization for Verification (IM-6EVS) form has been created to request authorization from eligibility unit members who are not requesting or receiving benefits.
Notices: When information provided by a consumer reporting agency results in an adverse action, additional language must be included on the adverse action and action notices. FSD is required to notify the participant that information from a consumer reporting agency was used in the eligibility determination and the contact information for the consumer reporting agency.
- New codes have been created that prompt FAMIS to add this wording to the appropriate notices. These codes are included in the user guide for each FCRA source.
- MEDES system work is still being completed. Manual notices must be sent if information from the Accurint for Government Eligibility portal results in a negative case action. Based on the types of information provided by Accurint for Government Eligibility, this would be incarceration. Death information reported by Accurint for Government Eligibility does not have FCRA requirements.

Contact information for FCRA sources:

Contact information for Accuity and Accurint for Government Eligibility will be included on the appropriate notices when information received from these sources results in an adverse actions. If a participant contacts FSD and questions the information that was reported by Accuity or Accurint for Government Eligibility staff can refer them to the company that reported the information.

Accuity:
LexisNexis Risk Solutions Bureau, LLC
Consumer Inquiry Department
P.O. Box 105108
Atlanta, GA 30348-5108
Phone: 1-888-530-7378

Accurint for Government Eligibility:
LexisNexis Risk Solutions Bureau, LLC
Consumer Inquiry Department
P.O. Box 105108
Atlanta, GA 30348-5108
Phone: 1-877-497-2621

New system codes in FAMIS:

Each FCRA source has two new FAMIS verification codes. It is very important that you use the correct code so that the case pends only when appropriate and the correct wording goes out on the notices.

AS-Accuity Statement
AC-Accuity Confirmation

GS-Accurint for Government Eligibility Statement
GC-Accurint for Government Eligibility Confirmation

The AS and GS codes will pend the case, acting as if the verification code is left blank, and a Request for Information Notice will be generated. The AC and GC codes act as if verification has been received and will not pend the case.

As discussed in manual section 0110.060.20 Information Reported by Electronic Verification System Causes Ineligibility, FSD cannot close a case due to information reported solely by a source. When an EVS match returns information that indicates that an applicant or participant is ineligible and this information was NOT reported by the participant, FSD must request additional information from the applicant or participant. This could be in the form of contact with the participant to confirm the information or the request of additional verification.

When deciding which verification code to use, consider the current verification requirements for each program.

AS and GS codes will be used in the following situations:

Information reported by the EVS results in ineligibility;
Information reported by the EVS is questionable or additional details are needed before an eligibility determination can be completed

AC and GC codes will be used in the following situations:

Additional information was requested due to an EVS match, and the information was provided by the participant;
EVS confirms participants statement and no additional verification is required

Referrals to the Program Integrity and Welfare Investigations Units:

There have been no changes to the referral process to the Program Integrity (PIU) or Welfare Investigations Units (WIU).

For WIU referrals:

If the verification received results in a determination of ineligibility and benefits have previously been issued, submit a referral for investigation to the Welfare Investigations Unit (WIU) using the Overpayment Portal in the FSD Worksite. Select the appropriate reason for the referral. In the narrative, indicate the referral is based on an EVS match and list the specific portal. Make a comment in FAMIS documenting the referral.

If the verification received results in a determination of ineligibility and benefits have not been issued, do not submit a referral for investigation.

Field Processes:

Field process guides will be housed on the Accuity page on FSD’s Intranet Site. To access the Accuity page from FSD’s intranet site click on the button labeled “FSD Work Sites.” In addition to future memos, you may receive information regarding field processes, best practices, and frequently asked questions from your Program Administrators or Managers.

Any questions about any of the topics covered in this memo should be sent through normal supervisory channels. Policy questions can be submitted by managers to the policy unit email addresses:

MHABD and Family MHN: COLE.MHNPOLICY@dss.mo.gov

SNAP: COLE.FSPOLICY@dss.mo.gov

TA and CC: FSD.COLETAPOLICY@dss.mo.gov

If a case specific policy clearance is needed, the Request for Interpretation of Policy (IM-14) process should be utilized.

The new tools are part of your eligibility toolbox for improving accuracy and easing some of the verification burden for FSD participants!

NECESSARY ACTION:

Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/rr/plh/kg/am/cs/sb/nw

Department of Social Services Family Support Division PO Box 2320 Jefferson City, Missouri

DISCUSSION:

NECESSARY ACTION:

Department of Social Services
Family Support Division
PO Box 2320
Jefferson City, Missouri