IM-102 OCTOBER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MASS ADJUSTMENT

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

TO:  ALL FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICES

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  OCTOBER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MASS ADJUSTMENT

MANUAL REVISION #
0815.030.10.10.10
1105.015.04.05
1110.005.00
1115.035.05
1115.035.25
1115.035.25.15
1115.035.25.40
1115.099.00
1135.010.07.05
1140.020.00
Appendix B
Appendix J

 

DISCUSSION:

The October SNAP Mass Adjustment occurred over the weekend of September 11, 2021. All policies and updated information will go into effect for all applicants and participants as of October 1, 2021.

The following issues are related to the mass adjustment:

  • Updates to the Maximums, Utility standards and Deductions
  • Update Process
  • Decreased Benefits or Case Closings
  • Conflict of Actions
  • Cases Not Adjusted
  • Notices
  • Fair Hearing Requests
  • Manual Revisions

Updates to the Maximums, Utility Standards and Deductions

The following updates were made during the mass adjustment:

Allotment Types

 Allotment Amounts
Standard Deductions 1-3 Household Members   $177
4 Household Members   $184
5 Household Members   $215
6+ Household Members   $246
Utility Standards SUA   $415
NHCS   $327
LUA   $134
Telephone    $67
Excess Shelter Deduction $597
Homeless Standard Deduction $159.73
Standard Medical Deduction $170
Gross (130%) Maximum Increased
Net (100%) Maximum Increased
FPL (165%) Maximum* Increased

*These maximums are used to determine if a household whose members are elderly, live with others and are unable to purchase and prepare food due to a disability are eligible as a separate household for SNAP Benefits. The SNAP Manual Section 1105.015.04.05 has been updated with the new chart.

Update to Threshold for Change Reporting

The threshold for reporting required changes for a SNAP household has increased from $100 to $125.

Update to the Resource Limit

The resource limit changed from $3,500 to $3,750 for households with at least one elderly or disabled member and from $2,250 to $2,500 for all other households.

Update Process

The Food Stamp Budget Summary (FM4A) screen and the Worker Initiated Budget Calculation Area – WIBCA (FMXN) are updated with the new amounts.

After the eligibility determination is run during the mass adjustment, the following actions on active SNAP cases may be displayed in FAMIS, depending on the action taken during the mass adjustment:

Action EU Log (FM40) Displays Date Benefit Month
Increase INCR 09/11/2021 102021
No Change NOCH 09/11/2021 102021
Reduction REDU 09/11/2021 102021

The reason field on the Action Authorization (FM3H) screen displays TUA – Table Update Adjustment (system) for the mass adjustment.

Decreased Benefits or Case Closings

Households with cases that have an allotment decrease and those whose case is closing will receive an FA-150 Action Notice.

Conflict of Actions

FAMIS will adjust active SNAP cases during the mass adjustment, even if the case has a pending adverse action. A conflict of action is created if there is a pending adverse action when the mass adjustment is completed. Staff should void the pending adverse action and process the mass adjustment adverse action following these steps:

  1. Void the first (pending) adverse action on the Action Resolution (FM50 or ACTRES) screen.
  2. Complete the eligibility determination on the Eligibility Determination Resolution screen (FM3Y or EDRES).
  3. Authorize the new action, even if the action is a benefit reduction or closing.

Refer to FAMIS user guide Changing An Adverse Action Status for instructions.

Cases Not Adjusted

Pending applications and cases with pending changes cannot be adjusted during the mass adjustment and require staff to take action. When staff complete the appropriate action, the case will be automatically adjusted.

The following are examples of cases not adjusted:

  • Expedited households that are active with postponed verification (APV status).
  • Any household with an incomplete eligibility determination, such as when there is insufficient data (ISD).
  • Any household in the controlled flow.
  • If an unacceptable or blank verification code is entered for a program element.
  • Any household with pending verification.

Notices

All households with an allotment increase or decrease will be sent an FA-150 Action Notice dated September 29, 2021. The notice informs the household of the following:

  • The Standard Deduction and Excess Shelter Maximums have changed.
  • The Utility Standard Allowances have changed.
  • The household SNAP allotment for October has changed.

Staff may view the FA-150 on the Document Queue (FMVM) screen in FAMIS.

Fair Hearing Request

If the household requests a fair hearing for SNAP, the agency should follow the current process in your local office for hearing requests.

The following information has been revised on the intranet:

MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MHABD)

The SUA or the telephone standard is used in calculating the community spouse (CS) allotment for vendor cases. This calculation is completed by the eligibility system on the shelter expenses and utility standards entered by staff. The MHABD manual has been updated to reflect the new standards in Appendix B, Appendix J, and 0815.030.10.10.10 Determining Allotment to the Community Spouse.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks