Category: Food Stamp Home

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: JANUARY 2024 COLA ADJUSTMENT OF SSA/SSI/VA/RR INCOME FOR ALL INCOME MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS EXCEPT MAGI MO HEALTHNET

MANUAL REVISION #
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX D
APPENDIX E
APPENDIX J
APPENDIX K

DISCUSSION:

In January 2024, all Social Security Administration (SSA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Administration (VA), and Railroad Retirement (RR) participants will receive an 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).

The weekend of December 9, 2023, a mass adjustment will be completed in the eligibility system for Child Care (CC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (TA), and Non-MAGI MO HealthNet cases. Income increases for SSA, SSI, VA, and/or RR and other adjustments will be completed. Medicare Premium amounts and federal eligibility standards will also be updated.

Note: The 2024 COLA will have the following effect on SNAP cases:

• Increase in SNAP benefit reductions for January 2024.
• Increase in SNAP closures for December 2023.

SSI Increases

Non-MAGI Standards Adjustments

Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Premium Adjustment

The standard SMI, commonly known as Medicare Part B, premium will increase for 2024 to $174.70. Premiums for Medicare participants who pay less than the standard premium amount will not have an increase of more than the amount of the increase in Social Security benefit the individual received.

Additional Non-MAGI Program Increases

Resource Limits for Medicare Savings Programs (QMB/SLMB/QI-1)
For a single individual, the resource limit increases to $9,430 for a married couple, the resource limit increases to $14,130. There is no change in policy regarding how to determine available resources.

Minimum and Maximum Spousal Share
The 2024 minimum spousal share is $30,828. The new maximum spousal share is $154,140. Both amounts become effective for any assessment completed on or after January 1, 2024.

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
The SGA monthly amounts increase and are as follows:

• $2,590 for statutorily blind individuals
• $1,550 for non-blind individuals

Appendices Updates

The following appendices were updated to show the new amounts:

• MO HealthNet for Aged, Blind, and Disabled Manual
  • Appendix B – Maintenance Standards for Allotments
  • Appendix E – HCB Income Maximums
  • Appendix J – Eligibility Standards for Non-MAGI Programs
  • Appendix K – MO HealthNet eligibility for Non-MAGI Programs
• December 1973 Eligibility Requirements Manual
  • Appendix D – Substantial Gainful Activity

Adjustments by Program and Mass Adjustment Process

All programs will be adjusted according to program. Review FAMIS Resources for further information about the mass adjustment process.
Senate Bill 577 (2007) authorized the disregard for Social Security COLA increases for certain MO HealthNet (MHN) programs with income eligibility based on federal poverty level (FPL) until the next FPL adjustment in April. All SSA, SSI, VA, and RR income sources will be updated with the new income amount and verification code “CO” for COLA adjustment.

Note: For budget months prior to January 2024, do not use the “CO” – COLA verification code.

Note: Actions to reduce MHN benefits will take effect after an annual renewal is completed during the transition/unwinding period.

Reports with Actions Needed

Reports with action needed will be distributed to the appropriate teams. Follow the instructions in FAMIS Resources on how to process each type of report.

Request for Hearing/Continued Benefits

When a fair hearing is requested, follow current fair hearing request procedures.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Search “COLA” or “Adjustment” in FAMIS Resources for processing guidance.
• State Office will provide the SSA/SSI/VA/RR Needing Review report to designated staff.
• Allow MHN Policy for “CO” income verification to disregard SSA and SSI COLA Adjustments until the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Adjustment in April.

KE/cj

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATED ONLINE CHANGE REPORT FOR FAMILY SUPPORT DIVISION (FSD) PROGRAMS

DISCUSSION:

The online change report was updated to make the form easily accessible to participants and to capture information allowing FSD to complete many changes without requesting more information from participants. Participants can access the change report online at mydss.mo.gov.

The updated online change report form has clearer defined questions on the left menu to help participants provide more complete information related to reporting a new pregnancy, requesting to explore a different MO HealthNet program, and claiming good cause to be exempt from pursuing child support.

Changes to the online change report now match changes made to the Change Report (IM-145) that were completed in September 2023.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Share with community partners.

KE/cj

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: INTRODUCING NEW FLYER FOR FSD UPLOAD PORTAL

FORM REVISION #
IM-4 UPLOAD
IM-4 UPLOAD (SPANISH)

DISCUSSION:

The FSD Document Upload Portal (IM-4 Upload) flyer is now available for Family Support Division (FSD) staff to provide to participants. This flyer has step-by-step instructions to explain to participants how they can submit documents to FSD electronically at https://mydssupload.mo.gov/UploadPortal.

English and Spanish versions are available in the public and internal forms manuals. The new flyer has been ordered and a supply will be mailed to each office for use in Resource Centers and for community outreach.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Share with community partners.

KE/cj

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: OCTOBER 2023 – QUARTERLY FORMS UPDATE

DISCUSSION:

Income Maintenance forms and documents are reviewed and revised quarterly and as necessary. New forms and documents are created as required or requested.

All new and revised IM forms show a revision date of 10/2023, unless otherwise stated. Revised IM forms with older revisions dates are now obsolete. Family Support Division (FSD) will accept obsolete forms until 12/31/2023.

New and Revised Forms available in the public and internal forms manuals:

New and Revised Forms available only to FSD staff in the internal forms manual:

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Begin using revised forms immediately.
• Discard and recycle blank obsolete forms.
• Share with community partners.

KE/cj