Department of Social Services
Family Support Division
PO Box 2320
Jefferson City, Missouri
TO: ALL FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICES
FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) OPTION TO WAIVE INTERVIEW REQUIREMENT AT RECERTIFICATION
DISCUSSION:
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved Missouri’s Statewide SNAP Interview option effective December 28, 2020 through June 30, 2021.
This option allows the Family Support Division (FSD) to waive the interview requirement for all recertification applications. This temporary change to SNAP allows FSD staff to complete a recertification application (Timely, Non-Timely and Late Non-Timely) without an interview prior to approval as long as identity has been verified and all other mandatory verifications in 7 C.F.R 273.2 (f)(1) have been completed.
Late non-timely applications that screen Yes (Y) for expedited benefits can be waived, provided identity has been verified and an attempt has been made to contact the household for an interview.
This option allows changes to: 7 C.F.R 273.2(a)(2), 273.2(e), and 273.14 (b)(3) which requires that the state agency require a household to complete an interview prior to approval.
System updates were made to the FSINTRVW (FM1B) screen. Screenshots are provided below.
Eligibility system updates to suppress the Appointment Letter (FA-334) and Notice of Missed Appointment Letter (FA-335) were made for timely and non-timely recertification applications. Late non-timely recertification applications will have the FA-334 and FA-335 suppressed when No (N) is entered in the Screened Expedited Eligible field.
If a Y is entered in the Screened Expedited Eligible field, the FA-334 and FA-335 will be sent to the household, the application will go through the Predictive Dialer (PD) for contact attempt to complete the interview.
Note: Staff must enter a Y in the “Do you need to schedule an interview?” field when registering a recertification application. Do not enter N; all recertification applications must be waived due to COVID-19.
Note: It is important to make a comment referencing COVID-19 on each recertification application when an interview is waived with the COVID-19 code pairing type and method.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
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