Category: Food Stamp Home

IM-20 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) CLAIM COMPROMISE UPDATE

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:   SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) CLAIM COMPROMISE UPDATE

MANUAL REVISION #

1142.055.05

1142.085.00 – obsolete

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce updates to Food Stamp Policy Manual section 1142.055.05 Compromising Claims.  Policy section, 1142.085.00 Deferred Adjudication is now obsolete.  

Updates to section 1142.055.05 Compromising Claims include:

  • An update to demonstration of need when determining when to compromise a claim.
  • An active SNAP case now demonstrates need to compromise a claim.
  • The program name was changed from Food Stamps (FS) to SNAP.
  • Language is provided to clarify that if a court order reduces the amount of a claim, a separate claim must be established for the compromised amount.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks                              

IM-11 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) FS-1 REVISED APPLICATION

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) FS-1 REVISED APPLICATION

FORM REVISION # FS-1

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce the updated Application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) form (FS-1).

The revised FS-1 updates terminology and replaces Food Stamp(s) with SNAP. The FS-1 has been updated to reflect this change. The revised is currently available in the IM Forms Manual.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate
  • Destroy all previous paper versions of the FS-1 and immediately begin using the FS- 1 10-2020 version; it does have 11-2020 as the date on left corner due to printing updates.

 

KE/mm

IM-10 REVISIONS TO THE CALCULATION METHODS AND FREQUENCY CODES CHART

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  REVISIONS TO THE CALCULATION METHODS AND FREQUENCY CODES CHART

FORM REVISION #

CALCULATION METHODS AND FREQUENCY CODES CHART

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to announce revisions to the Calculation Methods and Frequency Codes Chart. For the calculation method ADD, the following has been added:

  • When a change in income occurs in the month of application
  • For Prior Quarter Months

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/mc/ks/hp/ja

IM-07 COVID-19 ELEVENTH EXTENSION OF PANDEMIC SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (P-SNAP) EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

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

DISCUSSION:

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) allows for 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 have been issued by the Family Support Division (FSD) in March 2020 through January 2021 as part of the P-SNAP program.  P-SNAP has been extended through March 2021.  Beyond March 2021, participation in P-SNAP will be decided on a month-to-month basis during the COVID-19 health crisis.

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 that already receive the maximum allotment for their household size will not have a benefit increase.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/ks

IM-06 COVID-19 TENTH EXTENSION OF PANDEMIC SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (P-SNAP) EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

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

DISCUSSION:

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) allows for 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 have been issued by the Family Support Division (FSD) in March 2020 through January 2021 as part of the P-SNAP program.  P-SNAP has been extended through February 2021.  Beyond February 2021, participation in P-SNAP will be decided on a month-to-month basis during the COVID-19 health crisis.

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 that already receive the maximum allotment for their household size will not have a benefit increase.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/ks

IM-05 INCOME MAINTENANCE FEBRUARY PROCESSING PAID OVERTIME

Posted on

FROM:   KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:   INCOME MAINTENANCE FEBRUARY PROCESSING PAID OVERTIME

ATTACHMENT:    OVERTIME PAYROLL SHEET

As of Sunday, February 21, 2021 and through Saturday, March 6, 2021 all Income Maintenance (IM) staff are approved to work paid overtime (OT) to:

  • Process SNAP, MHABD, TA and CC Applications, Verifications received, FA-325 follow Up, BA/CIC, SNAP Mid-Certification Reviews   
  • Register Online Applications (weekdays only)
  • Scan and/or Index Documents
  • Take Phone Calls
  • OT priority on Saturdays will be phone support followed by processing (shown above) for staff that have a phone license.  All others may focus on the tasks above.

This Overtime Project will be available to all IM staff including Clerical, BPT, CIS and Supervisors who are able to process SNAP, MHABD, TA, and CC tasks, register applications, and scan/index documents. OT is not intended for supervision of staff, at least one of the above activities is expected of supervisory staff.

The purpose of this OT is to increase processing and phone support. 

Staff working OT on this project will receive OT based on their job classification. If there are any questions about your job classification and OT rate please contact Alison Robison, Human Resources Manager.

The guidelines for this OT project are as follows:

  • Beginning Sunday, February 21, 2021 and running through Saturday, March 6, 2021 overtime will be available at the following times:

    All week days including Saturdays 5:00AM – 7:30PM
    Sunday, February 21, 2021               9:00AM – 7:30PM
    Sunday, February 28, 2021               9:00AM – 7:30PM
    Saturday March 6, 2021                    5:00AM – 4:00PM

  • Social distancing and flexible schedules should be continued through this project.
  • Employees will earn overtime as long as the employee physically works more than 40 hours during the work week (Sunday through Saturday). If an employee is off for any reason and is unable to physically work 40 hours in the week, they will receive straight time for those additional hours worked, until the 40 hour minimum is met. There will be no exceptions for holiday weeks.

FIELD REPORTING FOR THIS OT PROJECT:

  • Employees should work with their chain of command to receive prior approval to work the hours. This can be done by email or other written correspondence.
  • All staff working overtime must enter hours worked in the SharePoint OT site. Staff should use the appropriate OT Task depending on the work that they are completing.
  • All hours worked for OT should be entered into Leave Track after the hours have been worked. This time should be submitted as ADDHR time in Leave Track. The entry must include a note stating which OT project you worked on (to match what was entered in the SharePoint OT site). The entry must be approved by the supervisor through the Leave Track system.
  • Each Manager must approve Overtime Sheet for Payroll (attached Excel file) for each employee and submit to Stephanie Robertson via email. It is very important that the ‘Job Class’ portion of the form be completed.
  • Please refer to the deadlines for submitting overtime reports of hours worked as well as the pay date for the overtime. The payroll report schedule is posted on the FSD Work Site under OT Tracking. Please feel free to contact Alison Robison via email or by telephone at 573-751-4252 if you need additional information or clarification.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

EMAIL-IM-    

KE/rr

IM-04 COVID-19 ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS RESULTING FROM THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021 FOR ALL INCOME MAINTENANCE (IM) PROGRAMS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS RESULTING FROM THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS 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

DISCUSSION:

Economic Impact Payments (EIP), also known as Stimulus Payments, were approved as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) which was signed into law on December 27, 2020.  The CAA 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 the EIP up to $600 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

Reduced Payments: The amount of the reduced payment will be based upon the tax filers AGI.  The EIP will be reduced by 5% of the amount by which their AGI exceeds the applicable threshold shown above up to certain maximums for each tax filing status.

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 have to 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, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (TA), and Child Care Subsidy (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 the EIP 12 months after receipt will be counted as a resource.

 

Family MO HealthNet (MAGI) Programs

  • Payments are excluded as income.

NOTE: Make a comment on the case of the amount received. The payment is not to be entered as income on the case.

  • Example of note comment: Ms. Smith reported she received $600.00 from the EIP on 1/4/2021.

 

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 Economic Impact Payment or CB if multiple exclusion reasons exist. Please use the Verification Matrix 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 in entering liquid resources.

Though the EIP amount authorized by the CAA 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/mm/hp/ers

IM-03 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) TEMPORARY ALLOTMENT CHANGES

Posted on

FROM:   KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:   SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) TEMPORARY ALLOTMENT CHANGES 

MANUAL
REVISIONS:   1115.099.00

DISCUSSION:  This memo references the changes to the maximum allotment addressed in IM-01 dated January 6, 2021.

The temporary increase to monthly SNAP allotments occurred over the weekend of January 16, 2021.  A manual revision was made to reflect the temporary changes to the maximum benefit amounts and update the minimum for categorically eligible and two-person eligibility units.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/ja            

IM-02 COVID-19: UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION UPDATES RESULTING FROM THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19:  UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION UPDATES RESULTING FROM THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021

DISCUSSION:

Memo IM-37, dated April 29, 2020, introduced 3 new types of Unemployment Compensation funds that were created on March 27, 2020, as a result the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Those funds were the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) fund, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) fund, and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) fund.

On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) was signed into law.  The CAA enacts changes to the provisions of unemployment funds introduced by the CARES Act:

  • FPUC-A $300 weekly federal supplement is added to regular unemployment funds starting after December 26, 2020 and ending March 14, 2021. FPUC funds are excluded/non-countable income for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and all MO HealthNet programs (except for sighted spouses on Blind Pension determinations).
  • PUA funds provide unemployment benefits for eligible individuals who are self-employed, seeking part-time employment, or who would not otherwise qualify for Unemployment Compensation. PUA funds are extended through March 14, 2021 and allow certain individuals to continue receiving benefits through April 5, 2021.  These funds count for all programs.
  • PEUC funds provide an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who have exhausted benefits under regular Unemployment Compensation. PEUC funds are extended through March 14, 2021 and allow certain individuals to continue receiving benefits through April 5, 2021.  These funds count for all programs.

IMES is updated to include all three types of Unemployment.

Verification of Unemployment Compensation Income

Use IMES to identify, budget, and verify gross income and deductions from Unemployment Compensation for Missouri unemployment recipients.

  1. Review the COMP WEEK column of the IMES. Total all payments made per the CHECK AMT column for each specific COMP WEEK date to determine a gross payment amount. In the red box below, the total payment made for the COMP WEEK 12/30 is $620.00 ($558 + $62=$620). 
  2. Review the WEEKLY AMT field to determine the regular weekly amount.
  3. Enter the WEEKLY AMT as regular unemployment, PUA, or PEUC funds.

NOTE:  Refer to 2020 Hot Tip, Identifying Pandemic Unemployment Types on IMES for more.  

The remaining amount, should be the $300 FPUC funds.  Enter this amount as FPUC.

  1. For FAMIS determinations, evaluate the REC column of the IMES for child support payments (CHSP). If child support payments are deducted, budget the payments on the Court Ordered Expense (SUPEXP/FMXL) screen in FAMIS using normal budgeting procedures. 
  1. Review the budget screens in the eligibility system before authorization. Regular Unemployment Compensation/Insurance is included income for all programs.

Refer participants with questions about Unemployment Compensation to the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations interactive site at uinteract.labor.mo.gov.  Participants can use this site to file claims for Unemployment Compensation, view income verification, request documentation, and report changes in circumstances.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/ers/hrp/mm/sb/nw

IM-01 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) TEMPORARY INCREASE TO MONTHLY ALLOTMENTS

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) TEMPORARY INCREASE TO MONTHLY ALLOTMENTS

DISCUSSION:

The memo is to inform staff that the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 allows states to increase the base household SNAP benefit by 15%  from January 2021 to June 2021.

For the month of January, 2021 FAMIS is being updated to include the 15% increase to household’s normal eligible allotment. The increase will show in FAMIS on January 21, 2021 and participants will receive a letter to inform them of changes on their case.

For February through June, 2021 the 15% increase will be included on the household’s normal payroll date.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/mm