Category: 2022

IM-61 UPDATES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL SECTION VERIFICATION REQUIRED AT RECERTIFICATION

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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL SECTION VERIFICATION REQUIRED AT RECERTIFICATION

MANUAL REVISION #
1102.020.00

DISCUSSION:

Updates have been made to manual section 1102.020.00 Verification Required at Recertification to clarify when medical expenses are required to be verified at recertification.

For elderly or disabled participants, medical expenses should only be verified in the following situations at recertification:

• Previously unreported medical expenses totaling more than $35.00,
• All medical expenses totaling more than $170.00, or
• New types of medical expenses reported when the household is already receiving the Standard Medical Deduction (SMD).

The SMD applies to verified medical expenses totaling $35.01 to $170.00. SNAP households already receiving the SMD should not have their medical expenses verified at recertification unless they are questionable or a new type of expense is reported. If a new type of medical expense is reported, verification should be requested of the new expense only.
Examples of when to request verification for medical expenses have been added to the manual section.

NECESSARY ACTION:
• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/tl

 

IM-60 OBSOLETING EMPLOYER AND STUDENT INCOME VERIFICATION FORMS

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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: OBSOLETING EMPLOYER AND STUDENT INCOME VERIFICATION FORMS

MANUAL REVISION #

1102.015.05
1102.015.45

FORM REVISION #

FA-311 obsolete
FA-321 obsolete
IM-12 obsolete
IM12A obsolete
IM-108 obsolete

DISCUSSION:

Effective 5/28/2022, the following employer and student income verification forms are obsolete for all Income Maintenance (IM) programs:

• Manual forms removed from the internal and external forms manuals: IM-12, IM-12A, and IM-108
• System forms removed as options to send by the eligibility systems: FA-311, FA-321, IM-12, and IM-108

The following Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) policy sections are updated to remove references to the obsoleted forms:

• 1102.015.05 Gross Income
• 1102.015.45 Number of Hours Worked by Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents

To assist participants in obtaining verification staff should do the following:

• Complete a telephone call with the employer and/or participant
• Use electronic sources when applicable
• Communicate what are acceptable documents to be used as verification
     o Language should be clear and concise

When generating a request for information (FA325 or IM31A), the form should be edited to include clear and concise details of the required verification as well as the specific time period needed.

NECESSARY ACTION:
• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/ams

IM-59 UPDATES TO THE EARNED AND UNEARNED INCOME SECTIONS OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL

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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATES TO THE EARNED AND UNEARNED INCOME SECTIONS OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL

MANUAL REVISION #
1115.005.00
1115.010.00

 

DISCUSSION:

The SNAP Manual was updated to add interest under Unearned Income. It has been removed from the Earned Income section.

Both policies were updated to better identify the income types in each section, and terminology was updated as follows:

• FAMIS was changed to eligibility system,
• Food Stamps was changed to SNAP, and
• EU was changed to household.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Review the FAMIS Income Code Chart as appropriate.

KE/tl

IM-58 GENERAL INFORMATION MANUAL UPDATE TO USE OF ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION SYSTEM (EVS) SOURCES

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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: GENERAL INFORMATION MANUAL UPDATE TO USE OF ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION SYSTEM (EVS) SOURCES

MANUAL REVISION #
0110.060.10

DISCUSSION:

EVS Manual section 0110.060.10 Use of Electronic Verification System (EVS) Sources has been updated and no longer identifies adding vendor coverage to an active MO HealthNet case as an application.

When determining if an EVS source should be utilized, an application only refers to:
     • an initial application,
     • requesting benefits for a new or existing member of the household (such as adding a spouse), or
     • adding cash benefits (such as Blind Pension) to an active MO HealthNet case.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:
• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/sh

IM-57 PROGRAM OF ALL-INCLUSIVE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY (PACE) INFORMATION AND MANUAL UPDATE

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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: PROGRAM OF ALL-INCLUSIVE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY (PACE) INFORMATION AND MANUAL UPDATE

MANUAL REVISION #
0825.030.35
0830.000.00 Obsolete
1030.010.05
1040.030.00
1040.030.30

DISCUSSION:

Missouri has a new PACE provider in the Saint Louis area, New Horizons PACE. The Family Support Division (FSD) is not responsible for making eligibility determinations for the PACE program. The enrollment process begins with the PACE provider and is coordinated by the MO HealthNet Division (MHD).

The PACE program provides comprehensive health care services to eligible participants age 55 or older who live in the community of a PACE provider and need a nursing home (NF) level of care, but do not live in a nursing home. PACE participants receive Medicare and Medicaid covered services from their PACE provider team.

Requests for PACE Benefits

Individuals who are eligible for any level of care of MO HealthNet (MHN) can be evaluated for PACE eligibility. To find a local PACE provider, refer to PACE information on the Medicare.gov site.

Individuals interested in the PACE program begin the process by contacting the PACE provider.
PACE providers accept Medicare, Medicaid, and direct payments. An individual is not required to receive MHN coverage in order to receive services from a PACE provider.

Determination for PACE

MHD makes the determination for PACE benefits. Enrollment is identified in the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS). Staff with access to MMIS can identify PACE participants by reviewing the “Lockin” information when completing a Participant Inquiry.

For questions regarding PACE eligibility, participants should contact New Horizons PACE directly by calling 833-654-7223.

FSD staff should send PACE eligibility questions to MHD.PACE@dss.mo.gov.

FSD Determination for MHN

There is no change to how FSD determines eligibility for MHN coverage.

FSD does not determine eligibility for PACE, therefore, manual section 0830.000.00 Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is now obsolete.

The following manual sections have been updated to remove references to the PACE program:

0825.030.35 Income and Budgeting
1030.010.05 Homestead Exemption
1040.030.00 Determining the Penalty Period
1040.030.30 Required Documentation

The FSD eligibility system will no longer be used to authorize PACE eligibility. Until the PACE option in the Type field on the Home and Community Based/PACE Information (HCBINFO/FMJ7) screen can be deactivated, do NOT use the PACE type code.

PACE and Spend Down

The PACE organization will pay the participant’s spend down to MHD directly. PACE will bill the participant for the charges used to meet the spend down.

PACE and Vendor

There are no changes to FSD’s existing processes for vendor coverage. Participants will continue to pay their surplus to the nursing home.

Hearings

Hearings regarding MHN eligibility continue to be processed by FSD. MHD will conduct all hearings regarding PACE enrollment.

Hearing requests for a PACE enrollment determination must be forwarded to MHD using the following contact information:

• Email: statefairhearings@dss.mo.gov
• Phone: 800-392-2161
• Mail:  MO HealthNet Division
           Attn: Hearings
           PO Box 6500
           Jefferson City, MO 65109

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/rnr

IM-56 UPDATED INFORMATION ON THE NATIONAL ACCURACY CLEARINGHOUSE (NAC) PILOT

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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATED INFORMATION ON THE NATIONAL ACCURACY CLEARINGHOUSE (NAC) PILOT

DISCUSSION:

Louisiana is no longer a participant in the National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC).

Louisiana will no longer be adding new data to the NAC Database. Louisiana’s existing NAC data will be maintained for 12 months to allow participating agencies time to resolve dual participation and cross program collisions.

For more information on the NAC Pilot, refer to memo IM-99 NATIONAL ACCURACY CLEARINGHOUSE (NAC) PILOT posted October 1, 2021.

NECESSARY ACTION:
• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/sh

IM-55 INTRODUCING THE IM-4 MO HEALTHNET REPORT A CHANGE FLYER

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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: INTRODUCING THE IM-4 MO HEALTHNET REPORT A CHANGE FLYER

FORM REVISION #
IM-4 MO HealthNet Report a Change

DISCUSSION:

The IM-4 MO HealthNet Report a Change flyer was created to stress the importance of MO HealthNet participants keeping their information up to date. The flyer also lists some of the changes participants must report and how to report those changes.

The IM-4 MO HealthNet Report a Change flyer is available in the public forms manual.

NECESSARY ACTION:
• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/sh

IM-54 MOBILE PAYMENT APPLICATIONS

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  MOBILE PAYMENT APPLICATIONS

MANUAL REVISIONS #
0110.040.05
0205.005.30
1025.010.00
1030.000.00
1110.000.00

 

DISCUSSION:

Mobile payment applications have been added to the resource policies for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (TA), and MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind & Disabled (MHABD). Consider mobile payment applications a resource when determining Child Care (CC) eligibility as well.

Mobile payment applications are tools individuals can use to pay for goods and services and also used to send money to vendors, friends and family. Money can be held within these apps, similar to a checking or savings account, therefore mobile payment applications are considered resources when determining eligibility.

Mobile payment applications include, but are not limited to:

  • CashApp
  • Venmo
  • Google Pay
  • PayPal
  • Zelle
  • Meta Messenger

Refer to FAMIS Resources for instructions on entry of liquid resources.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks

IM-53 UPDATES TO MANUAL SECTIONS THAT REFER TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) AND SUPPLEMENTAL AID TO THE BLIND (SAB)/BLIND PENSION (BP) COMBINATION CASES

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  UPDATES TO MANUAL SECTIONS THAT REFER TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) AND SUPPLEMENTAL AID TO THE BLIND (SAB)/BLIND PENSION (BP) COMBINATION CASES

MANUAL REVISION #
0210.005.10
0210.005.60
0405.005.00
0410.005.05
0505.005.00

 

DISCUSSION:

TA manual section 0210.005.60 TA-SAB or TA-BP Combination Cases is updated to align with other similar policies to state that participants who receive SAB are not included in the TA household but may be a payee-only on the TA case. In addition, SAB and BP participants may choose between receiving SAB or BP and TA benefits.

TA, SAB, and BP manual sections, 0210.005.10 Individuals Excluded from the TA Household, 0405.005.00 Non-Receipt of Other Assistance, 0410.005.05 TA – SAB Assistance Groups, and 0505.005.00 Non-Receipt of Other Assistance are updated to correct outdated terminology, grammar, and layout to improve readability.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/hrp

IM-52 UPDATES TO THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION (NVR) MANUAL AND MISSOURI VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION – MO 231-0167 (REVISED 08/16)

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  UPDATES TO THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION (NVR) MANUAL AND MISSOURI VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION – MO 231-0167 (REVISED 08/16)

MANUAL REVISION #
2100.020.00
2100.030.00

 

DISCUSSION:

NVR manual section 2100.020.00 has been revised to reformat information, update links to the newest version of the NVR Application with the revision date 8/16, and update the section title and terminology.

NVR manual section 2100.030.00 has been revised to update terminology and add a section on assisting homeless individuals.

There have been no changes to NVR requirements and procedures.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/mc