Author: Patrick Ellison

IM-103 INCOME MAINTENANCE (IM) APPLICATIONS TRANSLATED TO DARI AND PASHTO LANGUAGES

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  INCOME MAINTENANCE (IM) APPLICATIONS TRANSLATED TO DARI AND PASHTO LANGUAGES

FORM REVISION #
FS-1 DARI
FS-1 PASHTO
IM-1SSL DARI
IM-1SSL PASHTO
IM-1TA DARI
IM-1TA PASHTO

 

DISCUSSION:

Several commonly used applications for Family Support Division (FSD) IM programs have been translated to the Dari and Pashto languages to assist in the application process for Afghan refugees that are resettled in Missouri.

The applications can be accessed from the DSS Manuals Forms Manual and should be provided to applicants and community partners upon request.

Translated applications are:

When applications are received from participants, responses and information may need to be translated to English for processing. Send the application and any other attached verification that needs translated to the appropriate program email:

The translated application will be returned by email to the staff that requests the translation. Staff should receive translated documents within 1-2 business days, but times may vary depending on volume.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Staff should send the applications to participants upon request and have available for access in FSD Resource Centers.
  • Staff should send submitted applications that require translation to the appropriate program email address.

 

KE/cj

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

Posted on

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

IM-101 OBSOLETE MO HEALTHNET GATEWAY TO BETTER HEALTH APPLICATION (IM-1MAGW)

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  OBSOLETE MO HEALTHNET GATEWAY TO BETTER HEALTH APPLICATION (IM-1MAGW)

MANUAL REVISION #
1600.000.00

 

DISCUSSION:

Effective October 1, 2021, the IM-1MAGW is obsolete and cannot be accepted as a valid MO HealthNet application. Gateway to Better Health (GTBH) applicants must apply using the Application for Health Coverage & Help Paying Costs (IM-1SSL).

All applicants will have a Family MO HealthNet (MAGI) and Adult Expansion Group (AEG) eligibility determination completed and screened for MO HealthNet for Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MHABD) before exploring GTBH benefits. The Gateway to Better Health manual section, 1600.000.00 Gateway To Better Health, now references the IM-1SSL as the appropriate application for GTBH applicants.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Staff should immediately discard any IM-1MAGW applications and begin using the IM-1SSL for all MO HealthNet applicants.

 

KE/cj

IM-100 NATIONAL ACCURACY CLEARINGHOUSE (NAC) COLLISION REPORTS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  NATIONAL ACCURACY CLEARINGHOUSE (NAC) COLLISION REPORTS

 

DISCUSSION:

The goal of the NAC is to prevent duplicate participation. When duplicate participation is discovered, notification is received on a daily Collision Report.

Collision: A participant has active Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in two states at the same time.

Refer to IM Memorandum #99, dated 10/01/2021, National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC) Pilot for additional information regarding the NAC.

Collision Reports identify two types of collisions based on when SNAP benefits were approved in each state.

  • Type 1: Missouri is the first state to authorize benefits and it appears that the participant has moved to the other state and applied there. Missouri will be responsible for contacting the participant and ending the benefits in Missouri.
  • Type 2: Missouri is the second state to authorize benefits and it appears that the participant moved to Missouri from the other state. Missouri will receive notification from the other state when benefits in their state have ended. Missouri will be responsible for recouping duplicate SNAP benefits.

Questions

Send questions through normal supervisory channels to the SNAP Policy Unit at COLE.FSPolicy@dss.mo.gov.

Utilize the Request for Interpretation of Policy process for case specific policy clearances.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/rnr

IM-99 NATIONAL ACCURACY CLEARINGHOUSE (NAC) PILOT

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  NATIONAL ACCURACY CLEARINGHOUSE (NAC) PILOT

FORM REVISION #
Duplicate Participation Prevention Notice (IM-39DPP)
Duplicate Participation Response Notice (IM-39DPR)

 

DISCUSSION:

Missouri is a participant in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) NAC pilot program with LexisNexis. The NAC provides a method for participating states to identify SNAP participation in real-time prior to authorizing duplicate benefits. The NAC also alerts the Family Support Division (FSD) to active duplicate SNAP participation.

Implementation will begin the week of 9/27/2021. Near the launch date, all staff members who determine eligibility will receive an email containing information regarding access to the portal. Missouri will be the sixth state in the pilot project, joining Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

NOTE: The success of the NAC pilot resulted in the concept becoming mandatory for all states. The federally mandated version of the NAC is currently in development.

Responses from the NAC are identified as a Match or a Collision:

Match: A participant has applied for benefits in one state and has active SNAP benefits in another state.

Collision: A participant has active SNAP benefits in two states at the same time.

Links for the NAC portal and NAC User Guide are located on the NAC page on the FSD Work Site. The NAC User Guide provides instructions for accessing the portal, interpreting data, and current processes for using the information received.

Policy regarding duplicate participation can be located in SNAP manual section 1105.015.15 Duplicate Participation.

To provide consistent communication with the other states in the NAC pilot two new forms are available:

Utilizing NAC at the time of SNAP application or recertification

The NAC is available to all staff when processing SNAP applications. To prevent duplicate participation, review the NAC for all household members during the application/recertification process when there is an indication that the participant may have recently resided in another participating state. Review the NAC prior to or during the interview so that information can be reviewed with the applicant during the interview.

Matches from other states during the certification period

The Customer Relations Unit will process inquiries received from other states during the certification period.

Use of NAC Portal During the Certification Period

FSD will receive collision reports when the NAC identifies duplicate participation; therefore, it is not necessary to review the NAC at the time of Mid-Certification Review. Collision reports are discussed in 2021 IM Memorandum #100, dated 10/01/2021, National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC) Collision Reports.

Add a person requests

Consult the NAC for the individual being added to the active case. Do not consult the NAC for the active SNAP household members because the NAC already reports active duplicate participation on collision reports.

Documentation in the Case Record

Staff must add the NAC search, match, and/or collision results to the participant’s electronic case record in the ECM. Comments regarding the search results and any actions taken must be included in the eligibility system.

Questions

Send questions through normal supervisory channels to the SNAP Policy Unit at COLE.FSPolicy@dss.mo.gov.

Utilize the Request for Interpretation of Policy process for case specific policy clearances.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/rnr

IM-98 HOURLY AND PIECEWORK FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  HOURLY AND PIECEWORK FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

MANUAL REVISION #
1102.020.00

 

DISCUSSION:

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual section 1102.020.00 Verification Required at Recertification has been updated to remove fluctuating hourly and piecework as an example of questionable information.

Fluctuating hourly and piecework is not questionable unless there are inconsistencies.

EXAMPLE: Allan works at a factory and is paid by piecework. He is paid $10 per part/piece he assembles. Allan typically assembles 8-12 parts/pieces during a day of work and works 5 days a week. A conversation with Allan tells us that this is normal and is due to demands of the product. Allan’s work history shows varying income consistent with his statement. This income is not questionable.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks

IM-97 INTRODUCING NEW CONSOLIDATED WORK REQUIREMENTS NOTICE FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  INTRODUCING NEW CONSOLIDATED WORK REQUIREMENTS NOTICE FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

FORM REVISION #
FA-601

 

DISCUSSION:

The SNAP Work Requirements Informational Notice (FA-601) is a new consolidated notice that will generate in the eligibility system starting October 1, 2021. The notice will show the general work requirements with possible exemptions, the Able Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) Work Requirement with possible exemptions, and ABAWD Time Limits.

The new FA-601 will go out in the following circumstances:

  • when a SNAP application or recertification is approved and a household member is actively receiving SNAP benefits in the household and has a status of mandatory (MAN) on the EMPLOY (FMMS) screen;
  • when a change is authorized, such as adding a person to the household who is begins receiving SNAP benefits in the household and has a status of mandatory (MAN) on the EMPLOY (FMMS) screen;
  • when a participant who had been exempt from either the general work requirements or ABAWD has a change in circumstance which causes them to become mandatory (MAN) for one of the work requirements; and
  • with Mid-Certification Reviews that include a household member who is mandatory (MAN) on the EMPLOY (FMMS) screen and actively receiving SNAP benefits in the household

If the participant is coded as exempt on the EMPLOY (FMMS) screen when the application is approved or when a change is authorized, the new FA-601 will not generate.

The Work Registration Notice (also an FA-601) will continue to be generated at application, recertification, or when changes are authorized to indicate which household member the notice applies to. All other action notices will continue as applicable.

NOTE: Continue to explain and answer questions regarding the details of the general work requirement and the ABAWD work requirement to participants and include a comment in the eligibility system.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/rw/lb

IM-96 CROWDFUNDING FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) PROGRAM

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  CROWDFUNDING FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) PROGRAM

MANUAL REVISION #
1025.015.20

 

DISCUSSION:

Crowdfunding policy has been added to the MO HealthNet (MHN) December 1973 Eligibility Requirements manual in the Cash and Securities Section. This addition to the manual provides guidance regarding how crowdfunding is counted for MHABD programs.

Once crowdfunding income has been verified, it is counted as income in the month received and as a resource in the following month and ongoing. If only a portion of the account is available to the participant in recurring lump sum payments, this will need to be evaluated to determine the frequency and duration of the income.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/st

IM-95 INTRODUCING NEW MO HEALTHNET ADULT EXPANSION GROUP (AEG) POLICY

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  INTRODUCING NEW MO HEALTHNET ADULT EXPANSION GROUP (AEG) POLICY

MANUAL REVISION #
1802.000.00
1805.005.00
1805.030.00
1850.040.20
1855.030.15
1865.000.00
1865.010.00
1865.020.00
1865.030.00
1865.030.10
1865.040.00
1865.040.10
1865.050.00
1885.005.00
Appendix A
Appendix K

 

DISCUSSION:

Introducing a new MO HealthNet (MHN) program, the Adult Expansion Group (AEG), for adults aged 19 to 64. On August 4th, 2020, Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid to this population of individuals. The expanded program is effective July 1, 2021 and utilizes the Missouri Eligibility Determination and Enrollment System (MEDES).

The Family MO HealthNet (MAGI) Manual has been updated to add Chapter 1865.000.00 Adult Expansion Group, which contains the following new AEG policy sections:

To be eligible for AEG, the participant must meet eligibility requirements. These requirements include but are not limited to:

  • aged 19 to 64
  • income at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level
  • not pregnant
  • not entitled to or enrolled in Medicare Part A or B
  • not receiving SSI, and
  • ineligible for all mandatory category programs

In addition, Chapter 1805.000.00 Eligibility and Verification must be followed when determining eligibility.

Manual sections 1802.000.00 Applications, 1805.005.00 Resident of Missouri, 1805.030.00 MAGI Methodology, 1885.005.00 Age Out, 1850.040.20 Postpartum Benefit, 1855.030.15 Coverage for the Mother after Birth of the Child, and Appendix A have been updated to include the AEG program.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Use MAGI Appendix A with a revision date of 09/2021.

 

KE/ams

IM-94 REVISIONS TO MEDICAL REVIEW TEAM PACKET TO DETERMINE DISABILITY

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  REVISIONS TO MEDICAL REVIEW TEAM PACKET TO DETERMINE DISABILITY

FORM REVISION #
IM-61MRT

 

DISCUSSION:

Revisions were made to the Medical Review Team Packet to Determine Disability (IM-61MRT) to add a blank page after the coversheet. This will allow the forms in the packet to print 2-sided without separating pages of related forms.

The updated form is in the Department of Social Services (DSS) Manuals Forms Manual.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Use IM-61MRT with a revision date of 9/2021.

 

KE/cj