Category: 2020

IM-41 FILLABLE PDF VERSIONS OF PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY (PE) FORMS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  FILLABLE PDF VERSIONS OF PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY (PE) FORMS

FORM REVISION #10  

PE-2 Worksheet
PE-3
PE-3 TEMP

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memo is to introduce fillable PDF versions of the:

These three forms, along with the previously released Application for Presumptive Eligibility (PE-1SSL) will be made available to all Qualified Entities.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/df

IM-40 COVID-19 EXTENSION OF STATEWIDE FOOD STAMP RE-CERTIFICATION WAIVER

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 EXTENSION OF STATEWIDE FOOD STAMP RE-CERTIFICATION WAIVER

DISCUSSION:

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has granted Missouri an extension to the Statewide Food Stamp Re-certification Waiver discussed in 2020 IM Memo #17 dated 3/23/2020. This extension affects households that are required to recertify in June 2020.

To prevent Food Stamp benefits from ending during the COVID-19 health crisis, a 6 month extension will be added to the current 12 month certification period for non-elderly and non-disabled households required to recertify during June 2020. A 6 month extension will be added to the current 24 month certification period for elderly and disabled households required to recertify in June 2020. The certification period will be extended beyond their currently scheduled expiration date by 6 months.

Periodic reporting requirements of the Mid Certification Review (MCR) are also adjusted for households with a reporting period of March through June 2020.

Example: The Allen family is due to recertify for Food Stamp benefits in June 2020. The eligibility system will use current case information and extend certification to December 2020. The Allen family will continue to receive Food Stamp benefits with no benefit interruption.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/rw

IM-39 MANDATORY EXPEDITE SCREENING QUESTION ADDED TO FSINTRVW (FM1B) SCREEN FOR FOOD STAMP APPLICATIONS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  MANDATORY EXPEDITE SCREENING QUESTION ADDED TO FSINTRVW (FM1B) SCREEN FOR FOOD STAMP APPLICATIONS        

MANUAL REVISION #16

1120.01500

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memo is to introduce a new mandatory field on the FSINTRVW (FM1B) screen. Staff who register initial or late non-timely recertification Food Stamp applications in FAMIS, will need to determine if a participant is potentially expedite eligible.

If a participant answers “YES” to any of the below three questions on the Food Stamp application, this indicates the participant has been screened as potential expedite eligible. If the questions are left blank, enter an “N” as the Food Stamp application has been screened but not potential expedite eligible.

Section 2 Key Questions

The FSINTRVW (FM1B) screen has been updated to include a new question that staff must answer when registering a Food Stamp application.

If a Food Stamp application has been screened as a potential expedite application, staff must mark “Y” to indicate the application was screened and found potentially expedite eligible and make a comment to reflect why the “Y” indicator was used.

NOTE: No benefits are issued until an interview has been completed and the participant deemed eligible for Food Stamp benefits.

If the Food Stamp application was screened and not found a potential expedite application, staff must mark “N” and make a comment to reflect why the “N” indicator was used.

Screen capture of Food Stamp Interniew

NECESSARY ACTION:

1120.045.05 Is Obsolete

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/am

IM-38 COVID-19 MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) TICKET TO WORK HEALTH ASSURANCE (TWHA) PREMIUM REDUCTION DUE TO THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA)

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) TICKET TO WORK HEALTH ASSURANCE (TWHA) PREMIUM REDUCTION DUE TO THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA)

MANUAL REVISION # MHABD Standards Appendix J

DISCUSSION:

On March 18, 2020, HR 6021 Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (Pub. L. 116-127) was signed into law. Section 6008 of the FFCRA states eligibility requirements will not be more restrictive than they were in January 01, 2020.

Effective April 01, 2020 and ongoing during the COVID-19 National Emergency period, the premium rate increase with the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) adjustment, will be reduced back to the premium rate tables required as of January 01, 2020. This change is effective immediately, and impacts all TWHA premium level participants as well as new TWHA approvals since April 01, 2020.

Participants will be notified of the premium reduction, and corrected invoices will be generated as needed. Participants will also be notified of the effective date of the premium rate increase back to the FPL 2020 premium amounts when the public health emergency ends.

Appendix J has been revised to reflect the premium rate requirements for TWHA participants during this time.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/vm

IM-37 COVID-19: NEW TYPES OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS RESULTING FROM THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT FOR THE MO HEALTHNET, FOOD STAMP, CHILD CARE, AND TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19: NEW TYPES OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS RESULTING FROM THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT FOR THE MO HEALTHNET, FOOD STAMP, CHILD CARE, AND TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

DISCUSSION:

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. This act contains changes that affect the Food Stamp (FS, also known as SNAP) Program, Temporary Assistance (TA) Program, Child Care Program, and MO HealthNet (MHN) Programs.

In Missouri, the Missouri Department of Labor administers Unemployment Compensation funds created by the CARES Act. Those funds are:

  • The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) fund (Section 2104 of the act), provides a $600 federal supplement to individuals eligible to receive a regular weekly Unemployment Compensation payment.
  • The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) fund (Section 2102 of the act) provides benefits for eligible individuals who are self-employed, seeking part-time employment, or who would not otherwise qualify for Unemployment Compensation.
  • The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) fund (Section 2107 of the act), provides an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to those that have exhausted benefits under regular Unemployment Compensation.

IMES

The Missouri Department of Labor will update IMES with changes due to the new types of Unemployment Compensation. Once changes are complete, staff will be notified with additional information.

 

MO HealthNet Programs

Exclude Unemployment Compensation income received from FPUC funds for most MO HealthNet programs.

EXCEPTION: Include Unemployment Compensation income received from FPUC funds for the sighted spouses of Blind Pension participants in Blind Pension determinations.

Include Unemployment Compensation income received from PEUC and PUA funds for all MO HealthNet programs.

Prior Quarter: Payments from FPUC, PEUC, and PUA funds were not made prior to 4/2020. Do not budget income from FPUC, PEUC, or PUA for months prior to 4/2020.

NOTE: Continue to include income from regular Unemployment Compensation for MO HealthNet programs.

 

Food Stamps

Include Unemployment Compensation income received from FPUC, PUA, and PEUC funds for Food Stamp eligibility determinations.

 

Temporary Assistance

Include Unemployment Compensation income received from FPUC, PUA, and PEUC funds for Temporary Assistance eligibility determinations.

 

Child Care

Include Unemployment Compensation income received from FPUC, PUA, and PEUC funds for Child Care eligibility determinations.

 

FAMIS Entries

Enter the gross amount of Unemployment Compensation. Make appropriate entries on the Court Ordered Expense (FMXL/SUPEXP) screen to indicate child support expenses. Use the selections below to add Unemployment Compensation fund types to the Select Income (FMX2/SELINC) screen:

  • US Unemployment Compensation COVID19 FPUC–To indicate FPUC
  • UA Unemployment Compensation PUA-To indicate PUA
  • UE Unemployment Compensation PEUC-To indicate PEUC.

NOTE: FAMIS was updated with the additional Unemployment Codes effective 4/29/2020.

 

MEDES Entries

Enter the gross amount of Unemployment Compensation. Use the income type selections below to add Unemployment Compensation fund types to MEDES:

  • Unemployment Compensation COVID-19 FPUC
  • Unemployment Compensation COVID-19 PUA
  • Unemployment Compensation COVID-19 PEUC.

NOTE: Currently, MEDES is updated with an income type selection for Unemployment Compensation COVID-19 FPUC. Selections for Unemployment Compensation COVID-19 PUA and Unemployment Compensation COVID-19 PEUC will be added at a later date and staff will be notified of the change.

Do not use the income type selection Unemployment Compensation Stimulus Increase.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ers/rr/hp/rw/sb

IM-36 COVID-19 EXTENSION OF PANDEMIC SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (P-SNAP) EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 EXTENSION OF PANDEMIC SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (P-SNAP) EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS

DISCUSSION:

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) allows for Emergency Allotments (EA) of supplemental benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps) to be issued to eligible SNAP households. The P-SNAP program raises a household’s Food Stamp allotment to the maximum amount for the household size.

Supplemental benefits have been issued by the Family Support Division (FSD) for March and April 2020 as part of the P-SNAP program. P-SNAP has been extended through May 2020. Beyond May 2020, participation in P-SNAP will be decided on a month to month basis during the COVID-19 health crisis.

SNAP households do not need to apply for P-SNAP. The supplemental benefit will be automatically added to the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.

Note: Households that already receive the maximum allotment for their household size will not have a benefit increase.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/rw

IM-35 COVID-19 ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS RESULTING FROM THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT FOR THE MO HEALTHNET, FOOD STAMP, TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE AND CHILD CARE SUBSIDY PROGRAMS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS RESULTING FROM THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT FOR THE MO HEALTHNET, FOOD STAMP, TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE AND CHILD CARE SUBSIDY PROGRAMS

MANUAL REVISION #15

MO HealthNet 0805.015.10  1025.015.01.02 

Food Stamps 1110.020.30  1115.015.90

Temporary Assistance 0205.005.30.10  0210.015.35.40

DISCUSSION:

Economic Impact Payments (EIP), also known as Stimulus Payments, were approved as part of the CARES Act which was signed into law on March 27, 2020. This act contains changes that affect the Food Stamp (FS, also known as SNAP) Program, Temporary Assistance (TA) Program, Child Care Subsidy (CC), and MO HealthNet (MHN) Programs.

 

Economic Impact Payments

U.S citizens and resident aliens will receive the EIP of $1,200 for individual or head of household filers, and $2,400 for married filing jointly if:

  • they are not a dependent of another taxpayer and
  • have a work eligible Social Security number with Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) up to:
    • $75,000 for individuals
    • $112,500 for head of household filers and
    • $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns

Taxpayers will receive a reduced payment if their AGI is between:

  • $75,000 and $99,000 if their filing status was single or married filing separately
  • $112,500 and $136,500 for head of household
  • $150,000 and $198,000 if their filing status was married filing jointly

 

The amount of the reduced payment will be based upon the taxpayers specific AGI.

Eligible retirees and recipients of Social Security, Railroad Retirement, Disability or Veterans’ benefits as well as taxpayers who do not make enough money to normally have to file a tax return will receive a payment. This also includes those who have no income, as well as those whose income comes entirely from certain benefit programs, such as Supplemental Security Income benefits.

Retirees who receive either Social Security Retirement or Railroad Retirement benefits will also receive payments automatically.

 

MO HealthNet Non-MAGI Programs, Food Stamps (FS/SNAP), Temporary Assistance (TA), and Child Care Subsidy (CC)

  • Payments are excluded as income.
  • Payments are excluded as a resource for the first 12 months from receipt.

NOTE: EIP payments reported in the month received will be entered as a resource. DO NOT enter as income in FAMIS. Any money left from the EIP 12 months after receipt will be counted as a resource.

 

MO HealthNet for Families (MAGI) Programs

  • Payments are excluded as income.

NOTE: Make a comment on the case of the amount received. The payment is not to be entered into income on case.

  • Example of note comment: Smith reported she received $1700.00 from the Economic Stimulus Payment on 4/16/2020.

 

FAMIS Entries

If the EIP is reported as income in the month received, enter it as a resource on the SELFRES (FMWB) screen. DO NOT ENTER AS INCOME ON SELINC (FMX2). Refer to the examples below for guidance to capture the EIP income as an excluded resource. The excluded amount should always equal the total EIP when entering for the same month it was received along with any other excluded balances for that month. Use Code CV in the Excl Rsn field for the Economic Impact Payment or CB if multiple exclusion reasons exist. Please use the Verification Matrix for acceptable verification codes.

If the balance of the EIP is reported the month after receipt exclude any remaining balance of the EIP in the accounts as CV following normal procedures in entering liquid resources.

 

No Resources and received the EIP

To capture the full amount of the EIP you need to enter the full amount as Cash since they did not deposit it in an account.

 

 

Income

Checking

Savings

Cash

Excluded

Reported

$1200 EIP

none

none

none

$1200 EIP

FAMIS entry

No entry

No entry

No entry

$1200 excl (-) $1200 (CV) = $0 counted

 

Resource More than EIP

For a case that has deposited the full EIP only exclude up to the EIP amount, leaving the remainder to be counted.

 

 

Income

Checking

Savings

Cash

Excluded

Reported

$1200 EIP

$1500

none

none

$1200 EIP

FAMIS entry

No entry

$1500 excl (-) $1200 (CV) = $300 counted

No entry

No entry

 

Resource Less than EIP

For a case that has split the deposit of the EIP but did not deposit the full amount, enter the remainder as cash.

 

 

Income

Checking

Savings

Cash

Excluded

Reported

$1200 EIP

$800 Balance

$200 Balance

none

 $800

 $200

 $200

= $1200 EIP

FAMIS entry

No entry

$800 excl (-) $800 (CV) = $0 counted

$200 excl (-) $200 (CV) = $0 counted

$200 excl (-) $200 (CV) = $0 counted

 

Resources More than EIP and Other Current Income

For reports of EIP income and other income which would be excluded and both were deposited into an account, exclude the total of both the EIP and the Current Income amounts.

 

 

Income

Checking

Savings

Cash

Excluded

Reported

$1200 EIP

$800 Other Income

$2100

none

none

Make comment on $800 Current Income and that $1200 was from EIP

FAMIS entry

$800 Other Income

$2100 excl (-) $2000 (CB) = $100 counted

No entry

No entry

 

Resources Less than EIP and Other Current Income

For reports of EIP income and other income which would be excluded but is less than the reported balance in their accounts, enter the remainder of the EIP only as Cash.

 

 

Income

Checking

Savings

Cash

Excluded

Reported

$1200 EIP $800 Other income

$700

$200

none

Make comment on checking that this was from Current income. Savings comment would reflect that $100 was from Current Income and that $100 was from EIP.

FAMIS entry

$800 Other Income

$700 excl (-) $700 (CI) = $0 counted

$200 excl (-) (CB) = $0 counted

$1100 excl (-) $1100 (CV) = $0 counted

 

IRS Coronavirus Economic Impact Payment Information  

26 U.S. Code 6409

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/nw/ph/rw

IM-34 COVID-19 FAMILY HEALTHCARE (MAGI) CHIP 75 THIRTY DAY WAITING PERIOD WAIVED

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 FAMILY HEALTHCARE (MAGI) CHIP 75 THIRTY DAY WAITING PERIOD WAIVED

DISCUSSION:

Waive the thirty day waiting period for participants approved for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) 75 for any application received on or after March 18, 2020.  Enter CHIP Special Needs evidence in MEDES to prevent the thirty day waiting period while still allowing MO HealthNet Division (MHD) to send invoices.     

 

Application Case:

  • CHIP Special Needs evidence is tied to Application Details. The current Yes segment for the CHIP 75 child(ren) must be selected when creating this evidence.
    • When going through the caseworker portal this evidence will be created when the Application Case is submitted based on the questions in the portal.
  • Leave the box blank labeled “Require Verification, even if evidence does not indicate eligibility for CHIP 75?” in the CHIP Special Needs evidence. Verify evidence on the Application Case and run Check Eligibility.  If an applicant looks to be CHIP 75 eligible verification will create for the CHIP Special Needs.
    • Use the verification item “MHD Administration Request”.
    • Include a comment with the label COVID-19 stating, “Special Needs entered due to special circumstances. 42 CFR 435.952(c)(3).”
      • During COVID-19 we are not requesting any Special Needs verification.
    • If an IM-31A needs to be sent for other pending items on the case this can be sent, but do not include the CHIP Special Needs on the request.
    • If able to Authorize the Application Case run Check Eligibility again after all the items to verify are cleared and then Authorize the Application Case.
      • There will be no thirty day waiting period now for the CHIP 75 child(ren).

 

Integrated Case (IC):

  • CHIP Special Needs evidence must be tied to the current Yes Application Details segment for any child(ren) who may be CHIP 75 eligible. To create CHIP Special Needs and tie it to the Application Details evidence:
    • Add the CHIP Special Needs via the Dashboard, which is found under Application Details.
      • Select the current Application Details Evidence for the potential CHIP 75 child.
      • Use the default date for Received Date. MEDES will auto populate the start date when reviewing the evidence to the last Yes Application Details segment.
      • Leave the box blank labeled “Require Verification, even if evidence does not indicate eligibility for CHIP 75?” in the CHIP Special Needs evidence.
      • Select Save.
      • Repeat for any child who may CHIP 75 eligible.
    • If an IM-31A needs to be sent after verification is completed follow the process of not Applying Changes.
      • If the verification comes back the follow-up will verify the evidence and Apply Changes.
      • Once Apply Changes are completed MEDES will create CHIP Special Needs to be verified.
      • Use the verification item of “MHD Administration Request”.
      • Include a comment with the label COVID-19 stating, “Special Needs entered due to special circumstances. 42 CFR 435.952(c)(3).”
        • During COVID-19 we are not requesting any Special Needs verification.
      • Apply the verified CHIP Special Needs evidence to the IC, review proposed determination, and Finalize.
    • If no IM-31A needs to be sent Apply Changes to the IC.
      • After Changes are applied MEDES will create CHIP Special Needs to be verified.
      • Use the verification item of “MHD Administration Request”.
      • Include a comment with the label COVID-19 stating, “Special Needs entered due to special circumstances. 42 CFR 435.952(c)(3).”
        • During COVID-19 we are not requesting any Special Needs verification.
      • Apply the verified CHIP Special Needs evidence to the IC, review proposed determination, and Finalize.
        • There will be no thirty day waiting period for any child who is CHIP 75 eligible.
      • Coverage will begin the date the premium is received.
      • Applications that have already been approved will be corrected and do not require further action by staff.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/kg/ns

IM-33 INTRODUCTION OF STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DISASTER RELIEF PAYMENTS POLICY FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED (MHABD)

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  INTRODUCTION OF STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DISASTER RELIEF PAYMENTS POLICY FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED (MHABD)

MANUAL REVISION #14
0805.015.10
1025.015.01.01

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce a policy addition to the December 1973 Eligibility Requirements manual, 1025.015.01.01 State or Federal Government Disaster Relief Payments.

These sections address whether to include or exclude disaster relief payments as income and/or resource.

Payment sources can be from:

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
  • National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIP)
  • Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 100-707), or
  • Any income received from an insurance company or agency due to a State or Federal government emergency disaster.

Refer to these sections when State, Federal Government disaster relief payments are in question or affect eligibility for MHABD.

This policy is not to be referenced for the Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Payments from COVID-19 Federal Emergency). A memo referencing the Economic Impact Payments will be posted soon.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/nw

 

IM-32 COVID-19 REQUIREMENT TO CERTIFY MAIL TO BLIND PENSION PARTICPANTS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 REQUIREMENT TO CERTIFY MAIL TO BLIND PENSION PARTICPANTS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED

DISCUSSION:

The Department of Social Services (DSS) has suspended the requirement that correspondence between DSS and Blind Pension participants must be sent by certified mail.

This change will give the Family Support Division more flexibility in its communication system for the program, and will streamline communications with participants in light of the COVID-19 emergency. With more people sheltering in place throughout the state, suspending the certified mail requirement removes a barrier for participants in receiving their mail, and eliminates the requirement for the participant to sign the mail certification, which helps with social distancing.

The suspension is temporary and will end when the COVID-19 state of emergency ends.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

KE/ad/vb