Category: 2021

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

 

IM-93 AUTOMATIC SECOND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (FA-325) ELIMINATED FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP), TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA), AND MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) APPLICATIONS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  AUTOMATIC SECOND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (FA-325) ELIMINATED FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP), TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA), AND MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) APPLICATIONS

MANUAL REVISION #
0105.045.00
0110.000.00

 

DISCUSSION:

Eligibility system updates were completed on 09/05/2021 to no longer automatically send a second Request for Information (FA-325) on SNAP, TA, and MHABD applications. The General Information section of the Income Maintenance (IM) Manual has been updated to reflect this change.

Applicants will be mailed one initial request during the application process. Staff must send a second FA-325 in the following situations:

  • The applicant provided part, but not all, of the information requested on the original FA325,
  • The applicant has provided the information requested but it is insufficient to be used in determining eligibility, or
  • The applicant has shown a good faith effort in obtaining the information but has requested more time.

When sending a second FA-325 is necessary, all requests should be clear enough for the applicant to determine exactly what is needed or why previously submitted information is insufficient.

A second FA-325 is not required and should not be sent in the following situations:

  • The applicant does not respond to the initial FA-325.
  • The applicant returns information, but it is not what was requested.
    • Example: Pay stubs are requested from the applicant. The applicant does not return pay stubs but instead provides a rent receipt.

NOTE: Information requiring staff to send two FA-325s, in all situations, before rejecting an MHABD application (in IM Memorandum #158 dated 12/14/2017) is now obsolete.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/nw

IM-92 UPDATE TO THE HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES REFERRAL FORM

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  UPDATE TO THE HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES REFERRAL FORM

FORM REVISION #
IM-54A

 

DISCUSSION:

The Home and Community Based Services Referral form (IM-54A) has been updated.

Revisions include the following:

  • Contact information for the Family Support Division (FSD) Home and Community Based Services (HCB) Unit has been updated.
  • Instructions for sending HCB referrals to the Department of Health and Senior Services. Contact information has been updated.

FSD staff must continue using existing processes to refer requests for assistance with HCB services to the HCB Processing Center.

Referral processes are discussed in:

Begin using the updated IM-54A effective immediately.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Destroy all previous versions of the Home and Community Based Services Referral (IM-54A) form.

 

KE/rr

IM-91 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) UPDATED IM-160 AND IM-161 FORMS WITH IM-160 INSTRUCTIONS AND MANUAL UPDATE

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) UPDATED IM-160 AND IM-161 FORMS WITH IM-160 INSTRUCTIONS AND MANUAL UPDATE

MANUAL REVISIONS:

1145.015.00

FORM REVISION #

IM-160
IM-160 INSTRUCTIONS
IM-161

 

DISCUSSION:

The Advance Notice of Your Administrative Disqualification Hearing (IM-160) and Waiver of Administrative Hearing Disqualification Consent Agreement (IM-161) forms have been converted into fillable PDF forms. The instructions for the IM-160 and policy regarding Disqualification Penalties have been updated to clarify language.

The revised forms are currently available in the IM Forms Manual.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Destroy all previous paper versions of the IM-160 and IM-161 and immediately begin using the updated versions.

 

KE/mm

IM-90 INTRODUCING NEW MEDICAL REVIEW TEAM PACKET (IM-61MRT), UPDATING DISABILITY DETERMINATION FORMS, AND OBSOLETING THE MO HEALTHNET AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED APPLICATION APPENDICES

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  INTRODUCING NEW MEDICAL REVIEW TEAM PACKET (IM-61MRT), UPDATING DISABILITY DETERMINATION FORMS, AND OBSOLETING THE MO HEALTHNET AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED APPLICATION APPENDICES

FORM REVISION #
IM-61MRT
IM-61B
IM-61D

 

DISCUSSION:

Introducing IM-61MRT

A new forms packet has been created for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MHABD) disability determinations. The Medical Review Team Packet to Determine Disability (IM-61MRT) contains many of the forms that are necessary for Family Support Division staff to request medical records, schedule evaluations, and make a disability determination during the Medical Review Team (MRT) process.

The IM-61MRT packet includes:

  • Disability History (IM-61B)
  • Work History (IM-61C)
  • Provider History (IM-61D)
  • Authorization for Disclosure of Consumer Medical/Health Information (MO 650-2616)

Updating Disability Determination Forms

Two of the forms used during the MRT process were updated for clarity and to improve the disability determination process.

The IM-61B has been renamed Disability History (previously Disability Questionnaire) for consistency with other forms used for disability determinations.

The IM-61D has been renamed Provider History (previously Hospitals, Medical Facilities and Physicians Seen within the Past Year). The form requests information for any medical providers the participant has seen in the last five (5) years. This change is to gather a more thorough medical history for the MRT process.

Obsolete MHABD Application Appendices

The MHABD application appendices are now obsolete. Any unused forms in offices should be destroyed.

The forms that were included in the appendices can be accessed individually in the Department of Social Services (DSS) Manuals Forms Manual:

  • Disability History (IM-61B)
  • Work History (IM-61C)
  • Provider History (IM-61D)
  • Authorization for Disclosure of Consumer Medical/Health Information (MO 650-2616)
  • Declaration and Assessment of Assets (IM-78)
  • Appointing an Authorized Representative (IM-6AR)
  • Authorization for Release of Medical/Health Information Nursing facilities, In-Home Nursing Care Providers, and Other Providers of Medical Services (IM-6NF)

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/cj