Category: 2021

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  REVISION TO SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER SECTIONS IN THE FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) AND MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD), DECEMBER 1973 REQUIREMENTS MANUAL

MANUAL REVISION #
1805.015.00
1005.010.00

DISCUSSION:

Additional exceptions have been added to the Social Security Number (SSN) requirements for MO HealthNet. Per 42 CFR 435.910(h)(1), an exemption to provide an SSN may be granted to a participant who:

• is not eligible to receive a SSN or
• does not have an SSN and may only be issued an SSN for a valid non-work reason in accordance with 20 CFR 422.10

In the eligibility system, record details regarding the exemption that was granted.

Section 1805.015.00 Social Security Number in the MAGI manual and section 1005.010.00 Social Security Number (OAA, AB, PTD) in the MHABD December 1973 Requirements manual have been updated to reflect the additional exceptions.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/kg

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: CLARIFICATION FOR USE OF AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED SUPPLEMENT (IM-1ABDS) AND OBSOLETING APPLICATION FOR MO HEALTHNET (IM-1MA)

DISCUSSION:

Memo #63 released 6/28/2021 introduced the new form IM-1ABDS and stated that the IM-1MA is obsolete as of 7/6/2021. However, some clarifications are needed.

When a participant applies for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled using the Application for Health Coverage & Help Paying Costs (IM-1SSL), and does not submit the IM-1ABDS, staff should attempt to contact the applicant by phone. If unable to collect the information by phone, staff must mail the
IM-1ABDS to the participant with a request for contact.

As of 7/6/2021, the IM-1MA is obsolete and should not be distributed by FSD staff. The MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled appendices (IM-1MA appendices) are still valid and remain in the Department of Social Services Forms Manual. IM-1MA applications will remain available to staff and the public until 7/6/2021.

FSD will honor IM-1MA’s received between 7/6/2021 and 12/31/2021 as applications. An IM-1MA received prior to 12/31/2021 MUST be processed as a valid application.

NOTE: If an IM-1MA is received after 12/31/2021, FSD staff must send an IM-1SSL and IM-1ABDS to the participant. If the IM-1SSL is returned within 30 days, the date of application is the date the IM-1MA was first received.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/cj

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  INCREASE IN VENDOR MINIMUM MONTHLY MAINTENANCE NEEDS ALLOWANCE AND SHELTER STANDARDS ADJUSTMENTS IN VENDOR

MANUAL REVISION #
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX J

DISCUSSION:

Effective July 1, 2021, the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Allowance (MMMNA) and Shelter Standard for Vendor cases are increased. The eligibility system adjusts all Vendor cases on June 12, 2021.

NEW MMMNA AND SHELTER STANDARD

Allotments for community spouses, minor children, and eligible dependents and the MMMNA and Shelter Standard are revised for actions effective the month of July 2021 and later. The revised guidelines effective July 2021 are:

CASES ADJUSTED DURING MASS ADJUSTMENT

The eligibility system uses the current standards for the allotment and surplus determinations completed prior to the mass adjustment.

If there is a community spouse, minor or eligible dependent, the eligibility system determines the new allotment amount using the revised standards. The new allotment for a community spouse, minor or eligible dependent displays on the Allotment Information (ALLOT, FMJ6) screen. The new allotment for a minor not living with the community spouse displays on the Minor Living Outside Allotment Information (MINOR, FMJ2) screen.

If there is a change in the surplus amount, the institutionalized spouse’s coverage is adjusted during the mass adjustment and a notice is sent to the participant.

The coverage for the community spouse, minor or eligible dependent is NOT automatically updated. Manual update of the allotment amount on the Select Income (SELINC) screen is required. This will often result in an adverse action for the community spouse, minor or eligible dependent due to the increase in the allotment amount.

NOTE: Adverse actions are currently being suspended due to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).

The change in the surplus amount displays on the Adult MO HealthNet Vendor Budget Summary (FMD8) screen.

To access the Adult MO HealthNet Vendor Budget Screen:

• Go to the EU Action Log (EULOG/FM40) screen;
• Select a Budget Month;
• Enter F17=INQAUTH;
• Select F16=MHABD;
• Select Coverage Type VEND and press F16=AGBUDSUM

After the adjustment, the eligibility system determines allotments and surpluses for July 2021 and later using the new standards.

NOTICES

Cases resulting in no change from the mass adjustment do not receive an action notice.

FAIR HEARING REQUEST

If the household requests a fair hearing, please see Email Memo IM-22 dated 04/29/2021 Income Maintenance Hearing Unit Statewide Rollout of E-referral Hand of Button for Hearings Requests.

NOTE: Comments must also be made regarding the hearing request in the eligibility system.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/mc

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  SUPPLEMENTAL AID TO THE BLIND AND BLIND PENSION MAXIMUM GRANT AMOUNTS

DISCUSSION:

Supplemental Aid to the Blind (SAB) and Blind Pension (BP) will not have an increase in the grant for fiscal year 2022 which begins July 1, 2021 and ends June 30, 2022. The maximum grant continues to be $750.00.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/mc

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  ANNUAL MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) ASSET LIMIT INCREASE

MANUAL REVISION #
APPENDIX J
APPENDIX K
APPENDIX L

DISCUSSION:

As a result of HB1565 (2016), asset limits for MHABD programs have increased effective July 1, 2021:

• Individual asset limit is $5,035.00.
• Couple asset limit is $10,070.00.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/mc