IM-44 2021 UPDATE OF POVERTY INCOME GUIDELINES FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  2021 UPDATE OF POVERTY INCOME GUIDELINES FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE

MANUAL REVISION #

0210.005.30 

DISCUSSION:

Effective April 1, 2021, the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) income guidelines are increased for deeming major parent income for Temporary Assistance.

0210.005.30 Minor Parent Lives with Parent(s) has been updated to reflect the 2021 100% FPL figures needed to deem major parent income for a minor parent. In addition, the example for the deeming process has been updated to show the 2021 100% FPL figures.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/hrp

IM-43 INTRODUCTION OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY SERVICES FOR MILITARY MEMBERS OR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER FOR NON-MISSOURI RESIDENTS SECTION IN THE MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) MANUAL

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  INTRODUCTION OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY SERVICES FOR MILITARY MEMBERS OR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER FOR NON-MISSOURI RESIDENTS SECTION IN THE MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) MANUAL

MANUAL REVISION #

1015.005.00.05               

DISCUSSION:

Senate Bill 656 2020 altered residency requirements for participants in need of services for a developmental disability who are:

  • A military service member or
  • An immediate family member residing with a military member.

Residents of other states who are temporarily living in Missouri and meet the above criteria can access Developmental Disability (DD) services provided by Department of Mental Health (DMH). 

Screen MHABD applications for an indication of military participation.  If the application indicates the applicants are non-Missouri residents, follow normal procedures to reject the application.  Contact households that indicate someone is a participant in the military to inquire if a household member has or is suspected to have a developmental disability. 

Refer participants who have or who may have a developmental disability to DMH.  Send an email with the subject “DD Assessment-Military Household” to DMH.MedicaidEligibility@dmh.mo.gov

For more information, review manual section 1015.005.00.05 Developmental Disability Services For Military Members Or Immediate Family Member For Non-Missouri Residents.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ers

IM-42 USING THE WORK NUMBER AS A VERIFICATION SOURCE FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  USING THE WORK NUMBER AS A VERIFICATION SOURCE FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

MANUAL REVISION #

1102.005.00

1102.005.05

1102.015.05

DISCUSSION:

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) policy manual has been updated to include The Work Number as a source of verification for income. 

Refer to memo, IM-32 dated 4/6/21 The Work Number by Equifax Portal, for instructions on using The Work Number.

Updates were also made to SNAP policy section, 1102.005.00 Sources of Verification to include sources of verification that can be used to help determine eligibility. 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks

IM-41 BUDGETING ACTUAL INCOME FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) CLARIFICATION

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  BUDGETING ACTUAL INCOME FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) CLARIFICATION

MANUAL REVISION #

1115.020.05.05

DISCUSSION:

The SNAP policy manual has been updated to provide an example of an actual budget when a change of income occurs in the month of application that is not the beginning of, ending of or zero income. 

Refer to IM-10 Revisions to the Calculation Methods and Frequency Code Chart, dated 3/3/21, for the frequency methods and codes.

NOTE:  Prior quarter budgets do not apply to SNAP.  Retroactive SNAP benefits are not allowed.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/ks

IM-40 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) ADVERSE ACTION NOTICES DURING MASS ADJUSTMENTS

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) ADVERSE ACTION NOTICES DURING MASS ADJUSTMENTS

MANUAL REVISION #

1140.025.10.05

DISCUSSION:

The SNAP policy manual has been updated to clarify Adverse Action Notices (FA-510) are not required during mass adjustments as identified in 1140.005.35 Mass Adjustments

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks

IM-35 CONTESTING THE WORK NUMBER INFORMATION

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  CONTESTING THE WORK NUMBER INFORMATION

DISCUSSION:

If the participant believes that the information provided by The Work Number is incorrect, for example an incorrect employer is listed, they can contact Equifax directly:

Telephone: 1-866-349-5191
Mail: Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256

Example:  Mr. B contacts the FSD Customer Service Center to report that the gross earnings reported by The Work Number for his most recent pay periods are incorrect.  Staff suggests to Mr. B that he contact his employer to confirm the accuracy of this information.

Example:  Mr. M contacts the FSD Customer Service Center to report that he has never worked for the company that is reported by The Work Number.  Staff suggests to Mr. M that he contact Equifax to report this information as inaccurate.  If staff determine that this does appear to be an error on The Work Number report, this income must not be included in the eligibility determination. 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/rr/kg/am/cs/sb

IM-34 THE WORK NUMBER MANUAL NOTICE REQUIREMENT FOR NEGATIVE ACTIONS

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  THE WORK NUMBER MANUAL NOTICE REQUIREMENT FOR NEGATIVE ACTIONS

FORM REVISION #

IM-50E

DISCUSSION:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires the Family Support Division to notify participants when a negative action is the result of information reported by a consumer reporting agency such as The Work Number.

System work is currently being completed in FAMIS and MEDES to add required FCRA language to adverse action notices and action notices when a negative action is taken due to information provided by a specific FCRA source.

FCRA wording has been added to adverse action and action notices related to rejections and closings in FAMIS.  Additional information is available in Email Memo IM-11 Phase 1:  FAMIS Verification Codes and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Notification Added to FAMIS Notices, dated 3/22/2021

For all other negative actions that are a result of information provided by The Work Number, staff must mail an IM-50E when the adverse action and action notices are sent.

Memorandums will be released as each phase of the system work is complete.  

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/rr/kg/am/cs/sb

IM-33 THE WORK NUMBER FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT REQUIREMENTS

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  THE WORK NUMBER FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT REQUIREMENTS

DISCUSSION:

The information provided by The Work Number is subject to FCRA requirements.  Refer to manual section 0110.060.05 Electronic Verification System Legal Basis for more information. 

Policy regarding proper authorization to review FCRA sources is available in the Electronic Verification System portion of the General Information manual.

A guide outlining when an IM-6EVS is required is in development.   

Eligibility unit members who are not applying for or receiving benefits must sign an Authorization for Verification (IM-6EVS) form before FSD can access their employment verification in The Work Number portal. 

To determine if an IM-6EVS is required consider the following: 

  • Requesting benefits: Do not request a signed IM-6EVS.  The request for benefits on the application provides the necessary authorization to consult FCRA sources.
  • Not requesting benefits: If the individual is a mandatory member of the eligibility unit a signed IM-6EVS is needed..

NOTE:  Refer to each program policy for mandatory members

As discussed in manual section 0110.060.15 Fair Credit Reporting Act Authorization, the IM-6EVS is valid until benefits are denied or terminated, or FSD receives a written and signed revocation.

Questions:

Questions 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

For case specific policy clearances, utilize the Request for Interpretation of Policy (IM-14) process.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/rr/kg/am/cs/sb

IM-32 THE WORK NUMBER BY EQUIFAX PORTAL

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  THE WORK NUMBER BY EQUIFAX PORTAL          

DISCUSSION:

The Family Support Division (FSD) is adding The Work Number portal to the Electronic Verification System (EVS).  The Work Number provides earned income verification.   

  • When the Work Number provides a response for an employer a cost is incurred. Only utilize The Work Number portal for all programs at the time of:
    • Initial application—when earned income is reported
    • Recertification—when earned income is reported.
    • Annual renewal—when earned income is reported
  • Exhaust all other electronic resources, such as IMES, prior to requesting information from The Work Number.
  • Staff must only access The Work Number one time per application period and not more than once in a 30 day time period.

EXAMPLE:  Mrs. Z submits a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application on 2/1/2021 and a Child Care (CC) application on 2/15/2021.  The Work Number printout from the SNAP application is valid at the time of the CC application.  If Mrs. Z reports a change in earnings on the CC application, do not consult The Work Number portal a second time in the 30 day time period.  Request verification of the change in earnings from the participant.      

  • Employment verification provided by The Work Number can also be used for other eligibility factors such as:
    • work months for Able Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) determinations or
    • hours worked for eligible student status for the SNAP program.
  • If the participant submits adequate verification of their earnings with their application, do not request a report from The Work Number.
  • If information reported by The Work Number does not match the participant’s statements, call the participant to resolve the discrepancy. If a collateral contact with the employer is necessary, staff can make a three-way call with the employer to verify the information.  If the collateral contact is unsuccessful, a Request for Information Notice (FA-325 for cases processed in FAMIS or IM-31a for cases processed in MEDES) is needed for the additional verification and documentation.

Do NOT utilize The Work Number in the following situations:

  • SNAP Mid Certification Review
  • Add a person or add a category requests, even if earned income is reported by the participant
  • Reports of a change in circumstance
  • Earned income is listed on IMES, but is not reported by the participant on the application/review form or during the interview
    • NOTE: Comments/notes in the eligibility system must reflect the review of this data and document any discussions held with the participant. 

Questions:

Questions 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

For case specific policy clearances, utilize the Request for Interpretation of Policy (IM-14) process.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/rr/kg/am/cs/sb

IM-31 FAMILY SUPPORT DIVISION (FSD) CUSTOMER SERVICE HOURS CHANGE

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  FAMILY SUPPORT DIVISION (FSD) CUSTOMER SERVICE HOURS CHANGE       

DISCUSSION:

The FSD Customer Service Centers will be closed on Saturday, April 3, 2021.   All centers will reopen on Monday, April 5, 2021 and will return to their normal hours of operation.  Effective April 5, 2021, hours of operation will be Monday through Friday 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/vm