Category: Food Stamp Home

FROM:  REGINALD E. McELHANNON, INTERIM DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  UPDATED CANCEL CLOSE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FAMIS CASES

MANUAL REVISION #81

0840.015.10

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to notify staff of the correct process for cancel closing Temporary Assistance (TA), Adult MO HealthNet (MHN), Child Care (CC) and Food Stamp (FS) cases in FAMIS. This email memorandum will replace Email IM-#42 from June 20, 2017 with new information pertaining to the Food Stamp program.

An Agency error closing is defined as a closing that occurs after all necessary, requested information was provided by the participant. This includes:

• Information/verification is received timely but not acted on by the agency        before the case closes;
• The agency incorrectly budgets income or enters resources causing a case to close incorrectly.
• The review form was received during the adverse action period, but the closing was not voided in time.

For ALL programs, an agency error closing should be cancel closed as soon as the error is found regardless of how much time has passed since the case closed. If the action is no longer on ACTRES:

• For TA and CC Cases, create a new application using the original application date.
• For FS Cases contact FAMIS to complete the cancel close.
• For MHN Cases follow the MO HealthNet Special Instructions at the end of this memo.

A Participant error closing is defined as a closing that occurs due to the direct action or inaction of the participant. This includes:

• Required or requested information/verification is not received in a timely manner.

ONLY for TA, MHN, and CC Cases, participant error closings may be cancel closed if the participant provides all missing information that caused the closing within 30 days of the date the closing action was completed. The action is considered completed on the date listed on the EU Action Log (EULOG) screen under STATUS DATE, for the closing action.

For FS Cases, participant error closings may be cancel closed if the participant provides all missing information that caused the closing by the end of the month in which the participant last received benefits. The case cannot be cancel closed in any month after benefits have ended.

EXAMPLE 1:  Ms. Carter’s FS, TA, and CC cases closed January 15, 2019 because she failed to return the requested verification of her income. She last received FS benefits on January 7, 2019. On February 10, 2019, Ms. Carter turned in the requested verification.  

The missing verification was provided less than 30 days after the closing.  The TA and CC cases should be cancel closed and adjusted based on the verified income. The FS case should NOT be cancel closed because the verification was received after the end of the month Ms. Carter last received her FS benefits. She will need to reapply for FS.

EXAMPLE 2:  Mr. Ford’s FS, TA, and MHN cases closed January 15, 2019 because he failed to return the requested verification of his income. On February 22, 2019, Mr. Ford turned in the requested verification.

It is more than 30 days since the cases closed (January 15). It is also after the end of the month Mr. Ford last received his FS benefits. Mr. Ford will need to reapply for FS, TA, and MHN, if he wishes to continue receiving benefits.

For special instructions on cancel closing Adult MO HealthNet cases, please refer to 0840.015.10 Reopening Close Cases.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

RM/hrp

FROM:                       PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:                AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FORM (IM-6AR) CLARIFICATION

FORM REVISION #19

IM-6AR

DISCUSSION:

This memorandum provides updates to the Authorized Representative Form (IM-6AR). 

The box containing the following statement pertains only to MO HealthNet:

• If your authorized representative helps you apply, your authorization only last until the FSD makes a final decision on your application, or you can end it sooner if you notify the FSD in writing. If your authorized representative acts on your behalf, your authorization will last until you end it by notifying the FSD in writing.

NOTE:  For Food Stamps and Temporary Assistance, authorization for an authorized representative does not end at the final decision of the case. 

Child Care Subsidy will also use the IM-6AR form to appoint their authorized representatives.

The form has been updated to reflect the changes.

NOTE:  Continue to accept IM-6AR forms with a revision date of April 2017 or after.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Effective immediately begin using the IM-6AR with the 4-19 revision date.

PL/ks

FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  UPDATE TO TIMEFRAME FOR HEARING EXHIBITS                              

MANUAL REVISION #47

0130.020.70.25.20

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to inform Family Support Division (FSD) staff of a change in the FSD Hearings Manual.  Section 0130.020.70.25.20 FSD Provides Exhibits to the AHU and the EU is updated with instructions outlined in 2016 IM Email Memo #57 Division of Legal Services (DLS) Administrative Hearing Notification and Family Support Division Requirements.

Effective immediately, exhibits are to be provided two days prior to the scheduled hearing for all FSD benefit hearings. 

NOTE:  Exhibits are available at the local office for any individual requesting a copy of their exhibits ahead of the scheduled hearing.

DLS will continue informing applicants/participants the documents may be viewed two days prior to the administrative hearing date.  These documents must be made available when requested. 

For additional information, refer to the Hearings Manual.  Also see Section 0130.020.40 EU’s Examination of Documents.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

PL/rw

FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  FAMIS INCOME CODE CHART UPDATED

DISCUSSION:

The FAMIS Income Code Chart has been updated.  Some types of income were incorrectly coded as included or excluded.  These have been updated.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

PL/vb