Category: Food Stamp Home

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: ELIMINATION OF COMMON PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS FOR EBT CARD HOLDERS

DISCUSSION:

Effective 10/16/2022, ebtEDGE will no longer accept common Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) for Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. The system will not allow a common PIN, examples include but are not limited to:

1234, 0000, 0852, 1010, 1111, 1212, 2000, 2222, 2345, 2580,
3333, 3456, 4444, 4567, 5555, 5678, 6666, 7777, 8888, 9999

Participants will receive an error message when they attempt to enter a restricted number.

NECESSARY ACTION:

•  Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/mks

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: MID-CERTIFICATION REVIEWS POLICY UPDATED IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL

MANUAL REVISION #
1140.020.00

DISCUSSION:

Effective 10/17/2022, 1140.020.00 Mid-Certification Reviews policy was updated in the SNAP manual to remove the use or acceptance of any other application or form in place of the Mid-Certification Review/Report Form (FA-546, MCR). Staff can also no longer accept a MCR for use as a new application when a participant’s case has been closed and cannot be reopened.

By removing other forms for use in place of the MCR, it will:

• Ensure all required information is provided to households in order to complete the MCR,
• Remove confusion as to what forms are acceptable for participants,
• Streamline MCR processing for Staff,
• Better align Missouri with Federal SNAP Regulations, and
• Improve the overall error rate with Quality Control (QC) and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)

Over 75% of QC errors with MCRs involve the agency failing to follow up on incomplete or inconsistent information received on the MCR. SNAP applications rely on an interview and submitting a new application does not provide all of the information requested on the MCR. Staff should no longer accept the FS-1 in place of the MCR.

If the MCR is due and an Application for SNAP (FS-1) is received, review 1120.035.00 Applications More Than 60 Days Prior to Last ATP for how to handle applications received outside of the 60 day timeframe prior to the recertification period. If the application should be rejected, a FA-546 should be reprinted and sent to the participant with the IM-2MCR Mid-Certification Review Request along with the IM-112 Action Taken on Your SNAP Case.

Example 1: Jesse C. submitted an FS-1 online on 10/10/2022. His case is active and the Eligibility Unity Summary (EUSUMM) screen shows his certification is active through 4/2023 with a Mid-Cert Review date of 10/1/2022. As it is not within 60 days of Jesse’s certification end date, his application is desk rejected. An IM-112 is generated with the proper rejection reason. With the IM-112, an IM-2MCR and FA-546 are sent. Upon review of the TA/MA/FS Review History (REINVEST) screen, the IM-2MCR gives Jesse until 10/31/2022 to return the MCR.

Example 2: Cassie S. calls the customer service center on 11/28/2022. She states she just opened her mail and had several notices regarding her SNAP case and the MCR. The automated system told her that her SNAP case is closed. She began filling out a new FS-1 online. Cassie’s SNAP case was closed and her last SNAP benefit was received in 11/2022. Advise Cassie that even though her case is closed, the case can be reopened if she turns in a new MCR before 11/30/2022. If she has her MCR, direct her to fill it out as soon as possible and provide Cassie with the options for returning the form. If Cassie does not have the MCR, a new copy should be generated and mailed to her. If she chooses to complete a new FS-1, it will be used for a new eligibility determination once her interview is completed. The options discussed with Cassie should be noted in the eligibility system.

If a SNAP case is closed due to the MCR not being received, the MCR should no longer be used to help a participant reapply for SNAP benefits if it is received after the timeframe to cancel close the SNAP case. The MCR form does not meet the definition of an application for SNAP benefits since the MCR does not inform participants of the rights they have when applying. Participants needing to reapply must submit a new FS-1.

Example: Pilot S’s SNAP case closed on 10/27/2022 due to failure to return the MCR (reason closing code REI). On 11/2/2022, a completed FA-546 is received. A review of Pilot’s Payment History (PAYHIST) screen shows his last SNAP benefit was issued 10/2022. His case cannot be cancel closed, and an FS-1 should be sent for him to reapply. Case notes should be made noting the receipt of the completed late FA-546 and the sending of a new FS-1.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Effective 10/17/2022, FS-1 and other program applications should no longer be used to complete the MCR, and the MCR should no longer be used to reapply for SNAP benefits.

KE/tl

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATES TO DRUG CONVICTION EXCEPTION VERIFICATION FORMS IM-367 AND IM-368

FORM REVISION #
IM-367
IM-368

DISCUSSION:

The Current Probation and Parole/Court Compliance Drug Conviction Exception Verification (IM-367) has been updated with a corrected email address for the Missouri Division of Probation and Parole. The new email address will automatically populate when using the “Email Probation and Parole” button on the form through Adobe.

While no content changes have been made to the Discharged Parolee Drug Conviction Exception Verification (IM-368), the IM-367 and the IM-368 are now only available in the internal forms manual as both forms are only intended to be interagency communications.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Being using IM-367 (revised 9/2022) immediately.

KE/tl

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATES TO IM-112 ACTION TAKEN ON YOUR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) CASE FORM

FORM REVISION #
IM-112
IM-112 (Spanish)

DISCUSSION:

The Action Taken on Your SNAP Case (IM-112) form has been updated with the action/reason: “Your application has been rejected because you are not a Missouri resident. CFR 273.3(a)”. The “From” field where the agency/office information was previously entered at the top of the form has been removed.

A Spanish version of the form has been created. The form name and number have not changed. The IM-112 can be found in the internal forms manual.

NECESSARY ACTION:

•  Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Discard any old versions of the form (3/2022 or earlier) and begin using the new version (7/2022) immediately.

KE/tl

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATES TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MID-CERTIFICATION REVIEWS POLICY CORRECTION

DISCUSSION:

Memo IM-114, 08/01/2022, advised staff to use the date on the front of the original SNAP Mid Certification Review/Report Form when completing the IM-2MCR.

The memo should have stated:

The due date on the IM-2MCR should match the date under “Rein Date” on the TA/MA/FS Review History (REINVEST) screen in the eligibility system.

NECESSARY ACTION:

•  Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Follow updated instructions for entering a date on the IM-2MCR

KE/tl

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: REVIEW OF THE CONSOLIDATED WORK REQUIREMENTS NOTICE FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

MANUAL REVISIONS #
1105.025.05
1105.025.05.10

DISCUSSION:

SNAP Policy was updated to clarify that when a reassessment of a participant’s work registration occurs on the Employment Assessment (EMPLOY/FMMS) screen, staff must verbally review and discuss SkillUP with the participant.
This information is contained in the SNAP Work Requirements Informational Notice (FA-601) and provided to the household.

Reassessment of work requirements can occur when:

• Completing a SNAP initial or recertification application
• Completing a SNAP Mid-Certification Review (MCR)
• Updating a SNAP participant’s work registration status during an interim change report

NOTE: Refer to memo IM-97 Introducing New Consolidated Work Requirements Notice for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Verbal review and discussion must include whether or not the participant:

• Is subject to work registration,
• Meets an exemption or exclusion from work registration, and
• Needs help looking for a job through SkillUP

NOTE: Refer to memo IM-126 SkillUP Referral Process.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/ks

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: NEW ONLINE REPLACEMENT REQUEST (IM-110) FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) BENEFITS

DISCUSSION:

Beginning August 10, 2022, Replacement Requests for SNAP benefits can be made and submitted online. Participants can complete the replacement request, attach available verification, and submit electronically.

The link to the new online Replacement Request form (IM-110) can be found on mydss.mo.gov/food-assistance by clicking “I already have SNAP” and scrolling to the bottom under the section “Can I replace food lost in a Disaster?” Once submitted, a “thank you” page is displayed and offers the option of printing or saving a copy of the replacement request.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/tl

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATES TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MID-CERTIFICATION REVIEWS POLICY

MANUAL REVISION #
1140.020.00

FORM REVISION #
IM-2MCR

DISCUSSION:

SNAP Manual section 1140.020.00 Mid-Certification Reviews is updated to clarify that a Mid-Certification Review/Report Form (MCR/FA-546) must have all questions answered and must be signed to be considered received by the agency. An incomplete or unsigned MCR must be returned to the participant for completion/signature.

To advise the participant why the MCR is being returned, a new Mid-Certification Review Request (IM-2MCR) form was created for use when returning an incomplete or unsigned MCR to a participant. If an MCR is received with pages missing, those pages should be reprinted and sent to the participant when returning the form.

The IM-2MCR requires staff to enter the following information as it appears on the first page of the participant’s MCR:

• Case Name,
• Case DCN,
• Due date from the original MCR, and
• Family Support Division (FSD) return address from the original MCR.

There is a drop-down box to select the reason the form is being returned, along with a text entry box which should be used to tell the participant what is missing from the MCR, and if the form is being returned for multiple reasons. Staff should enter the date the form is being returned in the date field at the top right of the form.

Normal office procedures should be followed for printing and reprinting documents.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Effective with the release of this memo, all incomplete/unsigned MCRs must be returned to the participant using the IM-2MCR.

KE/tl