Category: Food Stamp Home

IM-59 CUSTOMER SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: CUSTOMER SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE

MANUAL REVISION #

0130.010.00
0130.010.15
0130.010.15.15

 

DISCUSSION:

The General Information Manual has been updated to clarify that complaints or concerns must be addressed immediately, and resolved within 30 business days of receiving the complaint.

The following manual sections are updated:

Reminder: When a complaint cannot be resolved at the local office level, a Customer Service Form (FSD-4) must be submitted using the process described in manual section 0130.010.15.15 When Complaints Cannot be Resolved at the Local Office Level.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

KE/rnr

IM-58 REVISED ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (EBT) INFORMATIONAL FLYER

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: REVISED ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (EBT) INFORMATIONAL FLYER

 

DISCUSSION:

Informational flyers IM-4EBT EBT Card-Helpful Information (English) and IM-4EBT EBT card-Helpful Information (Spanish) have been revised to:

  • allow for easier reading,
  • provide new procedures for setting up a Personal Identification Number (PIN), and
  • update the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement.

Utilize and distribute the revised flyers and brochures. Flyers and brochures can be found in the public and internal Forms Manuals.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Begin using the new flyers immediately.
  • Remove any obsolete flyers from participant resources.

 

 

 

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IM-56 UPDATES TO SYSTEMATIC ALIEN VERIFICATION FOR ENTITLEMENTS (SAVE) WEBSITE AND SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) POLICY

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATES TO SYSTEMATIC ALIEN VERIFICATION FOR ENTITLEMENTS (SAVE) WEBSITE AND SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) POLICY

MANUAL REVISION #

1105.010.10.20 1105.010.20.40
1105.010.12 1105.097.00
1105.010.15 1105.010.15.15

 

DISCUSSION:

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has provided guidance on updates to Additional Verification procedures and introduced the Cuban/Haitian button for SAVE.

SAVE users now have the ability to make specific verification requests regarding Cuban/Haitian Entrants. After receiving a response to an initial verification request, users would select the Cuban/Haitian Entrant button. SAVE then provides the Upload File button or Drag file to upload box for immigration documentation provided by the individual.

Staff must use the Scan and Upload function when SAVE requests additional documentation to complete a case for non-citizen applicants/participants. Effective immediately, discontinue use of the obsolete U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form G-845.

The SNAP manual is updated to reflect these changes. Additionally, the correct address of the National Personnel Record Center, the fax numbers to the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) Support Office and outdated terms such as EU, immigrant (pertaining to a person), Food Stamps, and references to FAMIS are updated.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

KE/ch

IM-52 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) OUT OF STATE BENEFIT SUSPENSION

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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) OUT OF STATE BENEFIT SUSPENSION

MANUAL REVISION #
0246.000.00
0246.000.05
0246.000.10

 

DISCUSSION:

Effective May 30, 2023 TA cash benefits will be suspended if a participant’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card has not been used in the State of Missouri within the prior 90-day timeframe. A new manual section, 0246.000.00 Suspension of Temporary Assistance Benefits When EBT Cards Are Used Out of State, has been added to the TA manual.

On May 30, 2023, all active TA participants will be sent a one-time Claimant Information Notice (FA-601) to let them know about this change.

When a TA participant consistently uses their EBT card in another state, they will appear on a report. Designated staff will use the report to initiate the suspension process.

In the eligibility system, a “Y” will display on the new OOS NON-COMPL field on the Address Resolution screen (ADRES/FM1G).

This action will generate an FA-601 letting the participant know their benefits will be suspended if they do not use their EBT card in the State of Missouri or contact Family Support Division (FSD) in the next 30 days. If a participant contacts FSD to report they still live in Missouri, staff should change the OOS NON-COMPL field to “N” with client statement as verification.

At 90 days, FSD will receive a second report for participants who have not contacted FSD to clarify their Missouri residence. Benefits will be automatically suspended and an investigation is initiated with a system generated Request for Information (FA-325) to provide proof of Missouri residency.

Once the FA-325 is sent, there are three (3) possible outcomes:

  1. When there is contact from the participant and it is determined that they still live in Missouri, the OOS NON-COMPL field should be updated to “N” on the ADRES screen with client statement as verification.
  2. When there is contact from the participant and it is determined that they moved out of state, FSD staff will go to INHOME, end date the household members and use Reason Code MSV=Moved out of state. Staff will then complete an eligibility determination (EDRES). The system will initiate an AACL on ACTRES (FM50) to close the case for reason MSV=Moved out of state and this was verified.
  3. When there is no contact from the participant, the system will automatically initiate an AACL to close the case for reason LOC= We are unable to locate you.

No other programs are affected by this new policy; however, if a participant reports they have moved out of state, the adverse action to close the case will be initiated for all benefits.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

 

KE/hrp

IM-50 REFERRAL FOR INVESTIGATION – WELFARE INVESTIGATION UNIT (WIU) SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL UPDATE

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: REFERRAL FOR INVESTIGATION – WELFARE INVESTIGATION UNIT (WIU) SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL UPDATE

MANUAL REVISION #
1145.005.00

 

DISCUSSION:

SNAP Manual section 1145.005.00 Referral for Investigation-WIU update includes the internal process for referring a SNAP case for investigation introduced in 2020 Email Memo IM-39.

Effective immediately, staff must use the FSD Task Management Site or the Call Center – Hand Off and Support site and select Overpayment Portal when reporting potential fraud and/or overpayments.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

 

 

 

KE/ch

IM-49 UPDATE TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) SKILLUP REFERRAL PROCESS

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATE TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) SKILLUP REFERRAL PROCESS

MANUAL REVISION #
1105.025.05.20

 

DISCUSSION:

Effective immediately, staff must use the Call Center – Hand off and Support site and select SkillUP Referral when a SNAP participant indicates interest in participating in an employment and training program. SNAP Manual section 1105.025.05.20 SkillUP – Missouri’s Employment & Training Program is updated to show the current internal process for referring a participant to the SkillUP program.

The Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) training/work requirement will be reinstated July 1, 2023. Explaining participation in SkillUP is important. Working with a SkillUP provider can help ABAWD participants meet the 80 hours a month work requirement, and allow these participants to continue to receive SNAP benefits beyond the allotted 3 non-work months.

Note: Only active SNAP participants can be referred to SkillUP. ABAWDs who have used their 3 non-work months and lost eligibility should be referred to their local Missouri Job Center for other available services.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

 

 

 

KE/ch

IM-48 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) WORK REQUIREMENT FOR 18 THROUGH 49 YEAR-OLDS MANUAL SECTION UPDATED

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) WORK REQUIREMENT FOR 18 THROUGH 49 YEAR-OLDS MANUAL SECTION UPDATED

MANUAL REVISION #
1105.035.00

 

DISCUSSION:

The SNAP manual section 1105.035.00 Work Requirement for 18 Through 49 Year-Olds is updated with current information about the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) non-work months “fixed clock”.

Effective July 1, 2023 ABAWD criteria will resume for SNAP cases and the 36 month clock will start again. To receive SNAP benefits for more than three months in a 36 month period, all ABAWDS ages 18 through 49 must comply with a training/work requirement or meet an exemption. The three-year “fixed clock” resets every 36 months.

Food Stamp language was changed to SNAP and EU was updated to household.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

 

KE/cs

IM-46 END OF TEMPORARY SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) STUDENT EXEMPTIONS

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: END OF TEMPORARY SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) STUDENT EXEMPTIONS

 

DISCUSSION:

The 2021 CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT (CAA) temporarily expanded SNAP eligibility for students of higher education as introduced in EMAIL memo IM-14 dated April 13, 2021. A FA-601 notice will be sent on May 9, 2023 to households who have an individual currently coded as an eligible student.

The temporary exemptions are as follows:

  1. The individual is eligible to participate in a State or Federally financed work study program during the regular school year, as determined by the institution of higher
    education; or,
  2. The individual has an expected family contribution (EFC) of 0 in the current
    academic year.

Treatment of Initial Applications

The Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends on May 11, 2023. The treatment of initial applications will be as follows:

  • Family Support Division (FSD) will continue to apply the temporary exemptions to initial applications filed on or before June 9, 2023.
  • FSD will process initial applications filed on or after June 10, 2023, under only the student exemptions as allowed prior to the CAA, 2021.

Treatment of Recertification Applications

For processing recertification applications received on or before June 30, 2023 continue to apply the temporary student exemptions from the CAA.

Note: FSD must base eligibility for the temporary student exemptions on the household application filing date or recertification application filing date, not the date of processing.

Mid-Certification Changes/Reported Changes

  • Households are not required to report if a student loses eligibility for the temporary exemptions.
  • If a household does report information indicating that a student is no longer eligible for a temporary exemption, FSD must act on the change if the impact on the case is clear.
  • If the household’s report does not provide sufficient information for FSD to determine if the temporary exemption still applies, the report is considered unclear and staff need to review the manual section 1141.000.00 Unclear Information.

Staff must screen for other student exemptions allowed prior to the CAA, before determining the student ineligible.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

 

 

 

KE/ch

IM-44 UPDATE TO NON-EXEMPT RESOURCES IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATE TO NON-EXEMPT RESOURCES IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
(SNAP) MANUAL

MANUAL REVISION:

1110.025.00

 

DISCUSSION:

1110.025.00 Non-Exempt Resources policy in the SNAP manual has been updated to include crowdfunding accounts. These accounts meet the definition of a liquid resource once the funds are accessible to the household. Staff should count the actual value of funds accessible to the household.

  • Crowdfunding accounts created specifically for expenses such as medical or shelter costs are not exempt from this policy. However, staff should apply qualified expenses when funds are used for that purpose.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

 

KE/ch

IM-41 REVISED INFORMATIONAL FLYERS AND BROCHURES FOR DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (DSS) PROGRAMS

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: REVISED INFORMATIONAL FLYERS AND BROCHURES FOR DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (DSS) PROGRAMS

 

DISCUSSION:

DSS has revised flyers and brochures for numerous programs that are administered by Family Support Division (FSD) or are available to and may be beneficial for FSD participants.

The flyers and brochures now have easier to read information, how to get more information, and updated program policies. The USDA non-discrimination statement has been updated on each flyer and brochure.

Team members should utilize and distribute the revised flyers and brochures. Flyers and brochures can be found in the public and internal Forms Manuals.

 

Form Name Spanish Form Name
Child Support (CS-5) Manutencion Infantil (CS-5)
Alternatives to Abortion (IM-4A2A) Alternativas al aborto (IM-4A2A)
MO HealthNet Adult Expansion (IM-4AEG) Expansion de MO HealthNet para Adultos (IM-4AEG)
Child Care Subsidy Program (IM-4CC) Programa de Subsidio para Cuidados Infantiles (IM-4CC)
How Employment Impacts Your Benefits (IM-4Employment Impacts Benefits) Como repercute el empleo en su beneficios (IM-4Employment Impacts Benefits)
Hearings Information (IM-4Hearings) Información sobre audiencias (IM-4Hearings)
Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP) Know Your Rights (IM-4Know Your Rights) Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP) Conozca sus derechos (IM-4Know Your Rights)
How to use your MO HealthNet Benefit (IM-4MHN How to Use) Como usar sus beneficios de MO HealthNet (IM-4 MHN How to Use)
MO HealthNet Report a Change (IM-4MHN Report a Change)  
Reporting Changes for SNAP Participants (IM-4Reporting Changes for SNAP) Dar a conocer cambios de participantes del SNAP (IM-4Reporting Changes for SNAP)
SkillUP (IM-4 SkillUP brochure) SkillUP (IM-4 SkillUP brochure)
SkillUP (IM-4 SkillUP flyer) SkillUP (IM-4 SkillUP flyer)
SkillUP – Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (IM-4SkillUP/ABAWD) SkillUP – Adulto Físicamente Capaz sin Dependientes (IM-4SkillUP/ABAWD)
SNAP – Medical deductions for elderly & disabled Missourians (IM-4SMD) SNAP – Deducciones de gastos medicos para adultos mayors y discapacitados de Missouri (IM-4SMD)
Show-Me Healthy Babies (IM-4SMHB)  
Ticket to Work Health Assurance (IM-4TWHA) Programa de seguros de salud (IM-4TWHA)
Finding Help (IM-4Finding Help) Conseguir Ayuda (IM-4Finding Help)
Food Assistance (IM-4Food Assistance) Ayuda Alimentaria (IM-4Food Assistance)
Health Care (IM-4Health Care) Atención Medica (IM-4Health Care)
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (IM-4LIHEAP flyer) Programa de Asistencia de Energía para Hogares de Bajos Ingresos (LIHEAP) (IM-4LIHEAP flyer)
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) (IM-4LIHWAP) Programa de Asistencia Hídrica para Hogares de Bajos Ingresos (LIWAP) (IM-4LIHWAP)
Temporary Assistance (IM-4TA) Asistencia Temporal (IM-4TA)
Employment & Training Support for Temporary Assistance Participants (IM-4MWA flyer) Apoyo al empleo y la capacitación para participantes de Asistencia Temporal (IM-4MWA flyer)
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB-1) Servicios de Rehabilitación para Invidentes (RSB-1)

 

Note: Previously SkillUP sent the SkillUP ABAWD flyer to eligible participants, but it is now available for staff and participants in the public and internal Forms Manuals.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Begin using the new flyers immediately.
  • Remove any obsolete flyers from participant resources.

 

 

 

KE/cj