Category: Food Stamp Home

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

Posted on

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 Food Stamp Recertification Interview Decision Chart when determining if an interview is necessary.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks

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-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-48 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL REVISIONS FOR SUBSTANTIAL LOTTERY OR GAMBLING WINNINGS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL REVISIONS FOR SUBSTANTIAL LOTTERY OR GAMBLING WINNINGS

MANUAL REVISIONS:

1140.000.00 SIMPLIFIED REPORTING

1140.005.46 LOTTERY AND GAMBLING WINNINGS

1130.035.15 CATEGORICALLY ELIGIBLE AFTER LOTTERY AND GAMBLING WINNINGS

 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce new SNAP policy regarding Simplified Reporting rules and reporting requirements.  This update is due to the 2014 Farm Bill final rule that implements a new household reporting requirement for substantial gambling and lottery winnings.  Effective May 3, 2021, SNAP households are required to report gambling and lottery winnings:

  • By the tenth day of the month following the winnings, and
  • When winnings are $3,500 or more in a single game.

Any SNAP household will lose eligibility immediately upon receipt, by any individual in the household, of substantial lottery or gambling winnings.  Prompt action must be taken to close the case.  An Adverse Action (FA-510) notice is provided.  The household has the option to reapply at any time.

There is an interface between FAMIS and Missouri Lottery to report winnings for SNAP participants.  The winnings are displayed on the INTRFACE (FMK0) screen. The system will automatically take action to close these cases.

NOTE:  If there are multiple winnings within that month for an individual all winnings received will show on the INTRFACE screen.  Press F8 to scroll forward through the winnings to see the winnings that went over the $3,500 threshold.

When the participant calls in to report winnings, enter the winnings as Unearned Income (UI) type and Lottery/Gambling (LO) source on the SELINC (FMX2) screen.  Since the winnings are one time, enter the winning amount as an ADD Calculation Method. 

NOTE:  End date the LO income source the same date that it is reported since it is a one-time payment.

The interface match will report winnings in most cases. 

Do not cancel an action to close the case when the case is closing for substantial winnings.  The case must close and a new certification period must begin. 

Verification that the household resources are under the allowable maximum is required.  The household cannot be considered Categorically Eligible (CE) during the next certification period, regardless of their qualification to meet CE criteria.  The household must be certified without CE criteria which will be done systematically when the household reapplies.

Example:  A SNAP participant is receiving SSI and wins $4,300 on a single lottery scratcher game.  The SNAP case must be closed for the reason code Substantial Lottery or Gambling Winnings (SLG), even if the household has spent the winnings below the resource limit.  If the household re-applies, eligibility must be determined without using CE criteria for the next certification period, even though they are still receiving SSI and would be CE under normal circumstances.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks

 

IM-47 COVID-19 ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS RESULTING FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT 2021 FOR ALL INCOME MAINTENANCE (IM) PROGRAMS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS RESULTING FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT 2021 FOR ALL INCOME MAINTENANCE (IM) PROGRAMS

MANUAL REVISION #

0205.005.30.10

0210.015.35.40

0805.015.10

1025.015.01.02

1110.020.30

1115.015.90

1805.030.20.10

 

DISCUSSION:

Economic Impact Payments (EIP), also known as Stimulus Payments, were approved as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARPA) which was signed into law on March 11, 2021.  The ARPA contains changes that affect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (TA) Program, Child Care Subsidy (CC), and MO HealthNet (MHN) Programs.

 

Economic Impact Payments

U.S citizens and resident aliens will receive an EIP up to $1,400 for each individual and each qualifying child 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

Single filers with an AGI above $80,000, head of household filers with an AGI over $120,000, and joint filers with an AGI exceeding $160,000 will not receive a stimulus payment.

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 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, SNAP, TA, and 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 an EIP 12 months after receipt will be counted as a resource.

 

Family MO HealthNet (MAGI) Programs:

  • Payments are excluded as income.

NOTE: Make a note in the eligibility system regarding the amount received. The payment is not to be entered as income on the case. Example of note: Ms. Smith reported she received $1,400 EIP on 3/24/2021.

 

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). 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 EIP or CB if multiple exclusion reasons exist. Please use the FAMIS Resource Guide (search “liquid resources”) 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 for entering liquid resources.

Though the EIP amount authorized by the ARPA is different, please refer to 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 for guidance to capture the EIP income as an excluded resource.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/nw

IM-46 FOOD STAMP MANUAL NAME CHANGE TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  FOOD STAMP MANUAL NAME CHANGE TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

MANUAL REVISION #

1100.000.00

1100.005.00

1100.005.05

1100.007.00

1100.010.00

1100.015.00

1100.015.05

1100.015.10

1130.099.00 – obsolete

 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to inform staff of the Food Stamp policy manual name change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) manual.  Updates to the Food Stamp policy manual will occur over the next six months to replace Food Stamp language with SNAP language.  The policy sections listed above are being updated with this memorandum.

Updates to the language for Categorical Eligibility (CE) and the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) in policy section, Definitions 1100.010.00, were also made.  However, policy has not changed.  Also, policy section 1130.099.00 Appendix A, has been made obsolete as this section referred to policy prior to the implementation of Simplified Reporting.

Please refer to memo, IM-146 Food Stamp Program Name Change to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), dated 10/20/20.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks                                              

IM-45 COVID-19: MIXED EARNER UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION (MEUC) BENEFITS FOR ALL PROGRAMS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19: MIXED EARNER UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION (MEUC) BENEFITS FOR ALL PROGRAMS

 

DISCUSSION:

On 12/27/2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) 2021 was signed.  The CAA contains provisions to address the public health emergency (PHE) and introduced MEUC, a new type of unemployment compensation. 

MEUC provides a $100 weekly benefit to individuals with combined earnings from regular employment and self-employment. MEUC can be received in combination with all other unemployment compensation types except for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). 

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed into law on March 11, 2021.  This act extended several temporary unemployment compensation types, including MEUC, until September 6, 2021.

See IM-02 COVID-19 Unemployment Compensation Updates Resulting From The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 for information on other types of unemployment compensation.

 

All Programs

Include/count payments from MEUC for ALL Income Maintenance programs including MO HealthNet, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance, and Child Care.

 

Important

No new income type was created for MEUC funds.  Enter MEUC using existing income selections for regular unemployment compensation.  Entries for Source Name Field in FAMIS and Employer Name field in MEDES must be exact: 

  • In FAMIS, enter the gross income as unearned income (UI) and select UC-Unemployment Compensation/Insurance. In the Source Name Field, type MEUC.
    • Continue to make appropriate entries on Court Ordered Expense (FMXL/SUPEXP) to indicate child support expenses.
  • In MEDES, select Unemployment Compensation/Insurance and enter the gross income.  In the Employer Name field, type MEUC. 

 

Income Entry

If regular unemployment compensation or another type of unemployment compensation is received in conjunction with MEUC, add each type as a separate income entry.

In the example below, the participant receives a gross amount of $503 per week- 

  • The regular weekly amount is $103, which should be entered as regular unemployment.
  • After deducting $103 in regular unemployment, $400 remains. $300 should be entered as FPUC.
  • The remaining $100 should be entered as regular unemployment, with MEUC as the income source name.

This case will have 3 income entries; 2 of them will look like a regular Unemployment Compensation selection:

  • FAMIS

  • MEDES

 

Prior Quarter 

Payments from MEUC were not made prior to the week ending March 6, 2021. Do not budget income from MEUC for months prior to March 2021.

NOTE:  For Family MO HealthNet cases, use IMES to support self-attested income in reasonable compatibility decisions for countable unemployment compensation types, as outlined in the MEDES COVID-19 Self Attestation Guide.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ers

IM-42 USING THE WORK NUMBER AS A VERIFICATION SOURCE FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  USING THE WORK NUMBER AS A VERIFICATION SOURCE FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

MANUAL REVISION #

1102.005.00

1102.005.05

1102.015.05

DISCUSSION:

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) policy manual has been updated to include The Work Number as a source of verification for income. 

Refer to memo, IM-32 dated 4/6/21 The Work Number by Equifax Portal, for instructions on using The Work Number.

Updates were also made to SNAP policy section, 1102.005.00 Sources of Verification to include sources of verification that can be used to help determine eligibility. 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks

IM-41 BUDGETING ACTUAL INCOME FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) CLARIFICATION

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  BUDGETING ACTUAL INCOME FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) CLARIFICATION

MANUAL REVISION #

1115.020.05.05

DISCUSSION:

The SNAP policy manual has been updated to provide an example of an actual budget when a change of income occurs in the month of application that is not the beginning of, ending of or zero income. 

Refer to IM-10 Revisions to the Calculation Methods and Frequency Code Chart, dated 3/3/21, for the frequency methods and codes.

NOTE:  Prior quarter budgets do not apply to SNAP.  Retroactive SNAP benefits are not allowed.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/ks

IM-40 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) ADVERSE ACTION NOTICES DURING MASS ADJUSTMENTS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) ADVERSE ACTION NOTICES DURING MASS ADJUSTMENTS

MANUAL REVISION #

1140.025.10.05

DISCUSSION:

The SNAP policy manual has been updated to clarify Adverse Action Notices (FA-510) are not required during mass adjustments as identified in 1140.005.35 Mass Adjustments. 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks