Category: 2021

IM-59 EXPIRATION OF PANDEMIC SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (P-SNAP) EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS

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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: EXPIRATION OF PANDEMIC SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (P-SNAP) EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS

 

DISCUSSION:

Pandemic Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (P-SNAP) Emergency Allotments are ending. Benefit month August 2021 is the final month P-SNAP Emergency Allotments will be issued.

NOTE: Participants will be notified of the expiration P-SNAP by a one-time Claimant Information Notice (FA-601) as well as social media postings.

P-SNAP was originally introduced in memo IM-27 COVID-19 Pandemic Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (P-SNAP), dated 03/31/2020.

P-SNAP allotment calculations were modified per memo IM-37 COVID-19 Twelfth Extension of Pandemic Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (P-SNAP) Emergency Allotments, dated 04/13/2021.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks

IM-58 EXPIRATION OF SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) WAIVED RECERTIFICATION INTERVIEW

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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: EXPIRATION OF SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) WAIVED RECERTIFICATION INTERVIEW

 

DISCUSSION:

The Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) option to waive SNAP recertification interviews will end on July 31, 2021. This option was first introduced in memo IM-177 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Option to Waive Interview Requirement at Recertification.

Recertification applications that are pending when interviews resume (received prior to August 1, 2021) will be waived.

NOTE: Continue to waive recertification interviews for households in which all adult members are disabled or elderly. Use the SNAP Recertification Interview Decision User Guide when determining if an interview is necessary.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks

IM-57 FEDERAL PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS (UCB) ENDED

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: FEDERAL PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS (UCB) ENDED

 

DISCUSSION:

On May 11, 2021, Missouri Governor Parson announced that Missouri will end payments of federal pandemic UCB.

Federal pandemic UCB types include but are not limited to:

  • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
  • Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)

The last weekly federal UCB payments issued to Missouri UCB recipients will be issued the week ending June 12, 2021. Payments for retroactive UCB may still be received.

As a condition of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, federal UCB types were extended through September 6, 2021. UCB recipients who worked in other states may still receive federal pandemic UCB benefits. For recipients receiving UCB issued by other states, continue to budget UCB from federal funds per guidance issued in IM-38, dated April 13, 2021.

Regular UCB is not affected by this change.

Refer participants with questions about UCB to the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial relations interactive site at uinteract.labor.mo.gov.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ers

IM-56 RESTRICTED ACCOUNTS SECTION ADDED TO THE DECEMBER 1973 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS MANUAL

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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: RESTRICTED ACCOUNTS SECTION ADDED TO THE DECEMBER 1973 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS MANUAL

MANUAL REVISION #
1025.015.18

 

DISCUSSION:

The Restricted Accounts section (1025.015.18) has been added to the December 1973 Eligibility Requirements manual. This section provides guidance to help staff determine whether or not a restricted account must be considered as a resource for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled programs.

If after review of this policy, staff are still unclear about how funds in a restricted account are evaluated, please submit for review by Program & Policy before a determination is made. Staff should submit a Request for Interpretation of Policy (IM-14) through normal supervisory channels and include all relevant information with the IM-14.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/vm

IM-55 FEDERAL NOTICE REQUIREMENT FOR MO HEALTHNET (MHN) PROGRAMS

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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: FEDERAL NOTICE REQUIREMENT FOR MO HEALTHNET (MHN) PROGRAMS

MANUAL REVISION #
0130.005.05.30 Federal Notice Requirements

FORM REVISION #
IM-4 MULTI LANGUAGE INTERPRETER SERVICES
IM-4 MHN NON-DISCRIMINATION ENGLISH VERSION
IM-4 MHN NON-DISCRIMINATION SPANISH VERSION

 

DISCUSSION:

The Family Support Division (FSD) is introducing a new policy section, 0130.005.05.30 Federal Notice Requirements . This section is located within the Legal Aspects chapter of the General Info Manual under 0130.005.05 Availability of Information. Two new forms have been created, the IM-4 Multi Language Interpreter Services (IM-4 MLIS) and the IM-4 MHN Non-Discrimination (IM-4 MHND) (in English and Spanish).

Federal Regulation 45CFR 92.101-92.105, requires FSD to provide information about language services available to Medicaid participants. FSD will send the IM-4 Multi Language Interpreter Services (IM-4 MLIS) when notices and forms are sent to the participant in connection with their MO HealthNet eligibility.

Federal Regulation 45 CFR 92.1-92.6, requires FSD to provide information regarding prohibiting discrimination under any health program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The IM-4 MHN Non-Discrimination (IM-4 MHND) English and Spanish forms and the IM-4 Multi Language Interpreter Services (IM-4 MLIS) forms were created and are located in the Forms Manual.

Beginning June 1, 2021, FSD will systematically send an informational notice, the IM-4 Multi Language Interpreter Services (IM-4 MLIS), in addition to notices and forms sent from the eligibility systems. Additionally, FSD is systematically adding the Non-Discrimination statement, in both English and Spanish, to all Annual Reviews.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Staff will mail the appropriate form with MO HealthNet Applications, MO HealthNet Reviews, and MO HealthNet notices that are sent outside the system.
  • MEDES will NOT show that the IM-4 MLIS or the IM-4 MHND were sent.

KE/mc

IM-54 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) CLARIFICATION OF RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) CLARIFICATION OF RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

MANUAL REVISION #       

1102.015.25

1105.005.00

 

DISCUSSION:

Manual section 1105.005.00 has been updated to clarify the residency requirement for SNAP. The residency requirement ensures the participant is a resident of Missouri for any purpose other than vacation. There is no requirement of eligibility to maintain a fixed residence, so address verification is not required unless it is questionable the participant resides in Missouri.

This clarification makes the 1102.015.25 Residency manual section obsolete as address verification is not a requirement.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ja                                              

IM-53 PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING INTERNAL IRS FIELD OFFICE INSPECTIONS – OBSOLETE

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING INTERNAL IRS FIELD OFFICE INSPECTIONS

GENERAL INFORMATION MANUAL REVISION #
0165.010.00

FORMS MANUAL REVISION #
INTERNAL INSPECTIONS REPORT/FIELD OFFICE INSTRUCTIONS

 

DISCUSSION:

There are new procedures for handling internal inspections of field offices and the handling of Federal Tax Information (FTI).

Field offices are required to submit the Internal Inspection Report/Field Office to Central Office annually. Currently this process is done by paper form (pdf version). The form is completed, scanned and emailed to Stacia.Humphrey@dss.mo.gov. This process is changing to electronic submission. Office managers will now complete the electronic Internal Inspections Report for each field office at the following link: https://apps.dss.mo.gov/FSDIRSSafeguardingForms/.

Once the report is completed, signed and submitted it will be sent to Stacia Humphrey for approval and stored electronically. Office managers/designees retain a copy of the report in their office for seven years. All reports are available electronically. This report is used to monitor how the office handles FTI information and must be received in Central Office by June 30th of each year.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Complete the new Internal Inspection Report/Field Office and submit to Central Office by June 30th each year.

KE/sh

IM-52 COVID-19 THIRTEENTH EXTENSION OF PANDEMIC SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (P-SNAP) EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

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

 

DISCUSSION:

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 allows 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 SNAP allotment to the maximum amount for the household size.

Supplemental benefits were issued by the Family Support Division (FSD) from March 2020 through May 2021 as part of the P-SNAP program. P-SNAP has been extended through May 2021. Beyond May 2021, participation in P-SNAP will be decided on a month-to-month basis during the COVID-19 health crisis.

NOTE: In April 2021, there was a calculation method change to P-SNAP. SNAP households are now entitled to a minimum of $95 in P-SNAP benefits.

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 approved for SNAP benefits, but receiving a zero SNAP benefit allotment, are not eligible to receive P-SNAP.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks

IM-51 REVISION TO 2021 UPDATED PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY (PE) INCOME GUIDELINES

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  REVISION TO 2021 UPDATED PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY (PE) INCOME GUIDELINES

MANUAL REVISION #
APPENDIX A (1900.000.00)

 

DISCUSSION:

Revisions have been made to PE Appendix A, PE Income Standards, previously posted in 2021 IM Memo #26 on April 2, 2021. The guidelines listed for children ages 1 through 18 have been adjusted and the attached Appendix A, found in the Presumptive Eligibility Manual, is effective from April 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/df

IM-50 COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION POLICY UPDATES FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED (MHABD) AND FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) PROGRAMS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION POLICY UPDATES FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED (MHABD) AND FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) PROGRAMS

MANUAL REVISION #

1010.010.00

1805.020.10.20

 

DISCUSSION:

Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, and Republic of the Marshall Islands have signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the United States which allows them to enter and leave the United States at will.

As of 12/27/2020, in accordance with section 208 of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, these individuals are eligible to receive MO HealthNet benefits without applying for immigrant status with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS- formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service). These individuals are considered Qualified Noncitizens and are eligible for MHABD and MAGI as long as all other eligibility requirements have been met.

COFA policy only applies to Title XIX funded Medicaid programs which includes but is not limited to: MO HealthNet Non-Spend Down (MHNS), MO HealthNet Spend Down (MHSD), MO HealthNet for Families (MHF) and MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women (MPW). Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) are funded through Title XXI and therefore are excluded from COFA policy.

Note: Please refer to Appendix H ME Codes Chart for a list of programs and their Title or Funding Source.

 

MHABD Programs

The eligibility system has been updated as of 05/02/2021 to allow new status codes on the NONCITZN/FMML screen for individuals from the Federated States of Micronesia (MCR), Republic of Palau (PAL), and Republic of the Marshall Islands (MAR).

Note: Only application dates of 12/27/2020 or after are eligible and coverage will begin no earlier than 12/27/2020. If processing an application that should include eligibility from 12/27/2020-12/31/2020, send to MHN Program & Policy COLE.MHNPOLICY@dss.mo.gov for review.                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

MAGI Programs

Eligibility system updates have not been completed.  Continue to use guidance issued in 2021 Email Memo #19 for COFA MAGI applicants.

For more information refer to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/nw