Category: 2020

IM-51 REVISING TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) MANUAL SECTIONS WITH CONSISTENT WORDING TO CLARIFY WHO IS SCREENED FOR DRUG USE

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  REVISING TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) MANUAL SECTIONS WITH CONSISTENT WORDING TO CLARIFY WHO IS SCREENED FOR DRUG USE

MANUAL REVISION #21

0240.005.00

0240.005.25            

DISCUSSION:

The TA Manual sections 0240.005.00 and 0240.005.25 are updated to clarify that only the TA Head of Households that are age eighteen (18) or older are identified for drug screening and quarterly matches with the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP).

All sections now use the consistent wording that all applicants or recipients for the payment of Temporary Assistance who are age eighteen (18) or older and are the head-of household complete a screening for illegal use of a controlled substance. This is in line with 13 CSR 4002.410.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

RM/plh                                                  

IM-50 FOOD STAMP MANUAL UPDATE FOR CLAIMS PROCESS

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FROM:  KIM R. EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  FOOD STAMP MANUAL UPDATE FOR CLAIMS PROCESS

MANUAL REVISION #20       

1142.010.00 CLAIMS PROCESS

1142.020.00 CLAIMS REFERRAL PROCEDURES AND DETERMINATION OF DATE OF DISCOVERY

1142.025.00 PROCESSING TIME/MONITORING

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memo is to inform staff of the updates made to the Food Stamp policies 1142.010.00 CLAIMS PROCESS, 1142.020.00 CLAIMS REFERRAL PROCEDURES AND DETERMINATION OF DATE OF DISCOVERY, and 1142.025.00 PROCESSING TIME/MONITORING. These updates include raising the thresholds for establishing claims and updating the claims process.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/cs

IM-49 INDIVIDUAL FOOD STAMP SANCTIONS FOR REFUSING AN OFFER OF SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  INDIVIDUAL FOOD STAMP SANCTIONS FOR REFUSING AN OFFER OF SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memo is to remind staff that Food Stamp participants who are not exempt from the work requirements must accept a bona fide offer of suitable employment. If an active EU member refuses an offer of suitable employment without good cause that member is subject to sanctioning.

Refer to the FAMIS User Guide Entering a Sanction or Disqualification for more information.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ja

 

IM-48 MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) DEFINITIONS RELATED TO ANNUITIES

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) DEFINITIONS RELATED TO ANNUITIES

MANUAL REVISION #19                               

1030.030.05
1030.030.10

DISCUSSION:

The December 1973 Eligibility Requirements, IM Manual sections 1030.030.05 Definitions Related to Annuities, and 1030.030.10 Determining Eligibility for MHABD Vendor or Home and Community Based Waiver Services for Annuities that were Purchased and Began Making Payments on or after April 20, 2010 When There is a Community Spouse, have been updated to add useful information when evaluating MHABD applications, annual reviews, or change in circumstance.

When a participant reports he/she is a party to an annuity, designated staff is required to review the annuity and determine answers to questions such as:

  • Who is the owner of the annuity?
  • Is our participant or participant’s spouse receiving income generated from the annuity?
  • Is the annuity considered to be an available resource?

Revisions have been made to the manual sections listed above to provide information necessary to assist designated staff with reviewing the provisions within an annuity that help determine its impact/if any, to the eligibility factors for MHABD programs.

Staff must continue to submit IM14 Interpretation of Policy Requests on participants and/or spouses of participants who are a party to a trust or annuity. 

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/vm

IM-47 MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) MANUAL REVISIONS TO QUALIFIED MEDICARE BENEFICIARY (QMB) AND SPECIFIED LOW-INCOME MEDICARE BENEFICIARY (SLMB) SECTIONS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) MANUAL REVISIONS TO QUALIFIED MEDICARE BENEFICIARY (QMB) AND SPECIFIED LOW-INCOME MEDICARE BENEFICIARY (SLMB) SECTIONS

MANUAL REVISION #18

0865.010.05.15
0865.020.10
0870.010.00

DISCUSSION:

Updates were made to sections of the MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled manual regarding Qualified Medicare Beneficiary and Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary eligibility.

0865.010.05.15 Part A Conditional Enrollment was updated to clarify that a participant who has a Social Security Administration (SSA) Part A Conditional Enrollment status should ONLY be approved for QMB, and should NOT be approved for SLMB or SLMB2. SLMB and SLMB2 will not pay the Medicare Part A premium for the participant.

0865.020.10 Filing a QMB Application was updated to remove outdated language and update processing information.

0870.010.00 SLMB Eligibility Requirements was updated to clarify the eligibility requirements are the same as QMB eligibility with the exception of income limits and that Part A Conditional Enrollment status is not valid Part A eligibility for the SLMB program. Policy was also updated to remove obsolete information regarding previous SLMB programs.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/cj

IM-46 COVID-19 PANDEMIC SNAP REPLACEMENT BENEFIT POLICY

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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-45 AFFORDABLE INSURANCE QUOTES UPDATED ON MAGI APPENDIX G

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  AFFORDABLE INSURANCE QUOTES UPDATED ON MAGI APPENDIX G

MANUAL REVISION: #17

APPENDIX G

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to notify staff that Appendix G has been updated with 2020 insurance quotes from the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM).  Affordable insurance determinations for CHIP premium children must still be completed with the CHIP Affordability Test Calculator (MAGI Appendix G).

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/df

IM-44 EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING RESOURCES

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING RESOURCES

DISCUSSION:

The Missouri Department of Social Services sponsors Workforce Development programs to help low-income Missourians – youth and adult – achieve long-term employment success. This memo provides Family Support Division (FSD) employees with resources they can share to help parents connect with resources.

Programs are free to participants and offer case management/job coaching services, employability plans and assistance with other work and training costs.

 

DSS YOUTH PROGRAMS

Jobs League

  • Helps interested 14- to 24-year-olds learn job skills, identify career goals and training needs, and provides paid employment with local businesses.
  • It can be the first connection to a job and potentially a first paycheck.
  • For more information: https://jobs.mo.gov/summerjobs.

 

Jobs for America’s Graduates – Missouri (JAG-Missouri)

  • Currently, 59 schools participate in JAG by offering 82 programs to middle school, high school, and alternative schools students. This program will continue to rapidly expand to new schools.
  • JAG provides extra guidance, help for classroom success, and work-based learning to help youth overcome challenges to graduate high school and transition into employment or training.
  • For more information: https://jag-missouri.org.
    • There are contact links available at the Internet site, or parents can contact school counselors regarding program availability and participation.
  • Note: DSS only provides a portion of the funding for JAG.

 

DSS YOUTH AND ADULT PROGRAMS

Healthcare Industry Training Education

  • Helps qualified persons 18 and older train in one of 19 high-demand health industry career fields.
  • Available in the Kansas City, St. Louis metro areas, and Central Missouri.
  • For more information: https://mydss.mo.gov/hpog-hite.

 

SkillUP

  • Food Stamp (SNAP) recipients 16 and older receive assistance from coaches to find career paths, create resumes, learn interviewing and interpersonal skills and, in many cases, participate in paid training.
  • Can receive help with transportation, work, and child care expenses.
  • For more information: https://mydss.mo.gov/skillup-program.

 

Missouri Work Assistance

 

OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARDS

Job Centers

 

DSS AVAILABLE TRAINING

Staff interested in obtaining more information can visit the DSS Learning Center and take the following course selections:

  • FS000473 – Workforce Development Unit Overview: HITE program
  • FS000472 – Workforce Development Unit: MWA
  • FS000471 – Workforce Development Unit: SkillUP

To access these selections:

  1. Go to: https://pathlore.state.mo.us/stc/student1/psciis.dll?mainmenu=student1
  2. Choose Family Support Division and Enter the Course Code into “Search For”

ELC Screenshot

 

TRAINING AVAILABLE ON THE SKILLUP PORTAL

Some trainings on the SkillUP portal (https://dss.mo.gov/skillup-provider-portal) that FSD staff may find useful include:

  • Below the Line – Understanding Poverty.
  • Dealing with Mental Anxiety
  • Domestic Violence Training
  • Executive Function
  • Executive Function Skills and Stress
  • Introduction to Mental Health First Aid
  • Overcoming Barriers

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you are working with a SNAP recipient, complete the SkillUP Referral Form and email it to SkillUP.Missouri@dss.mo.gov. Fill in all known information about the individual on the referral form so the Workforce Development Unit can refer the client to the appropriate provider. If you are employed in the FSD Information Center, continue to use the referral process and disregard the referral form.

FSD Staff who want additional information can call the DSS Workforce Development Unit at (573) 751-6975 to request additional information or discuss possible referrals to specific programs.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Complete the Referral Form when necessary

 

 

KE/df

IM-43 COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITIES (CARES) ACT IMPACT OF SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) LOANS AND GRANTS TO ADULT AND FAMILY MO HEALTHNET PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITIES (CARES) ACT IMPACT OF SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) LOANS AND GRANTS TO ADULT AND FAMILY MO HEALTHNET PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

DISCUSSION:

The CARES Act Public Law No: 116-136 was signed on March 27, 2020 to provide economic relief for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Per guidance in Title I of the CARES Act, the SBA is issuing specific loans and grants to small businesses to cover the cost of wages, paid leave, and other COVID-19 related expenses, and is limited exclusively to business related expenses rather than personally supporting the business owner.

Although there may be a measure of loan forgiveness for business owners receiving funds under the CARES Act when specific requirements are met; per 20 C.F.R. 416.1103(f), cancellation of a debt cannot be considered as income to be used to meet the participant’s needs for food or shelter.

Section 1106(i) of the CARES Act also states forgiveness of loans will not trigger any personal tax liability. Per 20 C.F.R. 416.1201(a), these loans and grants are not considered as income or a resource for Adult MHABD programs. Due to the structural requirements of the SBA loans and grants made available through the CARES Act per Section 1102(a)(36)(F), funds received will not be considered as income for Adult or Family MO HealthNet programs, or as a resource for any Adult MO HealthNet program.

Please refer to policy in the December 1973 Eligibility Requirements manual, under section 1025.015.14 Proceeds From a Bona Fide Loan, and 1025.015.06 Business Accounts in Financial Institutions for all adult MHABD programs and treat as a bona fide loan, except SBA loans and grants will not be counted as income in the month received, or as a resource even if retained into the following month.

Please refer to policy in the Family MO HealthNet (MAGI) manual section 1805.030.20.10 Income Excluded Under MAGI and treat SBA loans and grants as a bona fide loan.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/vm

IM-42 COVID-19 VERIFICATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS RESULTING FROM THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT FOR ALL PROGRAMS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 VERIFICATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS RESULTING FROM THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT FOR ALL PROGRAMS

DISCUSSION:

Memo IM-37, dated April 29, 2020, introduced 3 new types of Unemployment Compensation funds that were created on March 27, 2020, as a result the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Those funds are the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) fund, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUC) fund, and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) fund.

Beginning 4/30/2020, IMES is updated to reflect income from the FPUC fund, which is a $600 weekly payment made in addition to other weekly Unemployment Compensation benefits.

 

Verification of Unemployment Compensation Income

Use IMES to identify, budget, and verify gross income and deductions from Unemployment Compensation for Missouri unemployment recipients.

  1. 1. Review the COMP WEEK column of the IMES. Total all payments made per the CHECK AMT column for each specific COMP WEEK date to determine a gross payment amount. In the red boxes below, the total payment made for the COMP WEEKs 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, and 4/25 is $849 each week ($764 + $85=$849.) 
    Screenshot 1
  2. If the total amount is more than $600, enter $600 weekly into the eligibility system as Unemployment Compensation COVID-19 FPUC funds (US in FAMIS).
  3. Deduct $600 from the total. Enter the remaining amount as Unemployment Compensation/Insurance (UC in FAMIS).
  4. For FAMIS determinations, evaluate the REC column of the IMES for child support payments (CHSP). If child support payments are deducted, budget the payments on the Court Ordered Expense (SUPEXP/FMXL) screen in FAMIS using normal budgeting procedures.
    screenshot
  5. Review the budget screens in the eligibility system before authorization. Unemployment Compensation COVID-19 FPUC amounts are excluded income for all MO HealthNet programs (except for sighted spouses on Blind Pension determinations) and included for all other programs. Unemployment Compensation/Insurance is included income for all programs.

NOTE: Future changes to IMES, MEDES, or FAMIS will be addressed in subsequent memos.

Refer participants with questions about Unemployment Compensation to the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations interactive site at uinteract.labor.mo.gov. Participants can use this site to file claims for Unemployment Compensation, view income verification, request documentation, and report changes in circumstances.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ers/rr/hp/rw/sb