Category: 2020

IM-46 COVID-19 PANDEMIC SNAP REPLACEMENT BENEFIT POLICY

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 PANDEMIC SNAP REPLACEMENT BENEFIT POLICY

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memo is to inform staff how to replace COVID-19 Pandemic SNAP benefits due ­­­­­to­­­­­ a household misfortune. COVID-19 P-SNAP benefit have been issued statewide. Most households have received additional benefits taking them to the maximum for their household size. FAMIS limits replacements to one month’s normal allotment of benefits

The additional P-SNAP benefits are also eligible for replacement due to household misfortune. To issue replacement benefits in addition to the normal monthly allotment, it will be necessary to issue a separate issuance. FAMIS only allows one replacement issuance per day, the additional P-SNAP replacement­ must be issued the following day.

NOTE: In some cases, it may take more than two issuances due to the normal monthly allotment and amount of replacement request.

For example, client normally receives $90 and received an additional $104 P-SNAP benefit (displaying as DSU) bringing them to the maximum of $194. There was a power outage destroying $194 worth of food purchased with benefits. Client completes a Request for Replacement for $194. Issuing the replacements will require a replacement issuance of the $90, the usual issuance, and the next day issue another $90, then the next day issue the remaining $14 to replace the lost $194.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/cs

IM-13 2020 MAGI COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) FOR VETERANS ADMINISTRATION AND RAILROAD INCOME

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:   2020 MAGI COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) FOR VETERANS ADMINISTRATION AND RAILROAD INCOME

DISCUSSION:

This memorandum informs staff that Railroad Retirement (RR) and Veterans Administration (VA) participants received a 1.6% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for MAGI programs effective January 2020.

Cases Adjusted

Cases that included income types RR and/or VA Benefits in the eligibility system were subject to an automatic increase of 1.6% for those income types.  The eligibility system end dated the previous income and added a new piece of income evidence that reflected the adjusted income amount.

Cases That Did Not Adjust

Some cases did not adjust during this COLA.  These cases will require manual intervention from staff to add the increased income amounts.  As cases are reviewed, check income on each case to determine if the current income is entered.  Update and verify income as required using established procedures.

Notices
For case updates made as a result of COLA, the eligibility system finalized the decision(s) and sent out the appropriate notices.  The reasons and notices that were sent are as follows:

  • Cases with no change were sent the IM-33C.
  • Cases that resulted in benefit reduction were sent an IM-80 allowing 10 days for the individual to respond to the proposed case action. The IM-33C was sent after the IM-80 expired.
  • Cases that resulted in individuals who no longer qualify were sent IM-80 PRE allowing 10 days for the individual to respond to the proposed case action. An IM-80PRE and IM-80 were sent, followed by the IM-33C.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/kg