Category: IM Memo

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

Posted on

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-51 UPDATES TO MO HEALTHNET (MHN) ANNUAL RENEWAL FORMS

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATES TO MO HEALTHNET (MHN) ANNUAL RENEWAL FORMS

MANUAL REVISION #

0815.015.00 1802.030.00
1015.020.20 1885.020.00
1315.005.00 2100.020.00

FORM REVISION #
IM-1U (MAGI)
FA-402

 

DISCUSSION:

MHN annual renewal forms have been renamed, updated to explain annual renewal processes and provide easier to read instructions and information for participants.

The MO HealthNet Annual Renewal (Non-MAGI) form (FA402) and the MO HealthNet Annual Renewal form (IM-1U MAGI) have been updated in the eligibility systems.

The manual sections listed above are updated to use the new form names or use general references to annual renewal forms.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

 

KE/cj

 

 

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-47 SELECT PARTICIPANTS AUTOMATIC ELIGIBILITY FOR MISSOURI WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN PROGRAM (WIC)

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: SELECT PARTICIPANTS AUTOMATIC ELIGIBILITY FOR MISSOURI WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN PROGRAM (WIC)

 

DISCUSSION:

Participants enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (TA) and select income qualifying MO HealthNet (MHN) programs are automatically income eligible for WIC. The Missouri WIC program provides supplemental food, health care referrals, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support.

Missouri WIC eligibility criteria can be found at Wic.MO.Gov and includes residents of Missouri who meet one of the following category guidelines:

  • Pregnant women
  • Women breastfeeding an infant up to the infant’s 1st birthday
  • Postpartum women up to six (6) months after delivery or end of pregnancy
  • Infants up to their 1st birthday
  • Children until their 5th birthday

Fathers, grandparents, guardians and foster parents may also apply for benefits for infants and children living in their household.

Local WIC agency staff can search the Missouri Health Strategic Architectures and Information Cooperative (MOHSAIC) system to see if participants are enrolled in FSD programs such as SNAP, TA or MHN. If a participant is enrolled in a qualifying program, no further documentation of income will be required. Participants will be required to provide proof of identification and proof of residency.

Participants who are not enrolled in SNAP, TA or select MHN programs will need to provide income documentation to qualify for WIC. Income must be equal to or below 185% of the federal poverty level.

A list of income qualifying MHN programs can be found here.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Refer eligible households with young children or pregnant women to a local WIC agency in your area or to the WIC Participant Support Line: 800-392-8209 or email WICinfo@health.mo.gov.
  • Share the Missouri WIC outreach flier, WIC is for You (WIC-58).

 

 

 

KE/vh

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-45 UPDATING LANGUAGE TO CURRENT MO HEALTHNET (MHN) TERMINOLOGY

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATING LANGUAGE TO CURRENT MO HEALTHNET (MHN) TERMINOLOGY

MANUAL REVISION #

0110.025.00 0840.015.05
0130.005.10.10 0855.005.10
0430.010.20 0855.005.15
0610.010.00  0860.005.30
0745.030.00 1700.010.05
0745.030.05 1840.020.20
0815.030.10.10.25 1870.030.00
0840.015.00  

 

DISCUSSION:

The MAGI, Non-MAGI and Legal Aspects manual sections listed above are revised to reflect current MHN terminology, to correct broken links and for easier readability and understanding. The revised sections replace previous manual sections.

 

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

 

KE/vh

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-43 CHANGES MADE TO CHILD CARE SUBSIDY

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: CHANGES MADE TO CHILD CARE SUBSIDY

 

DISCUSSION:

Effective May 1, 2023, the following changes to the Child Care (CC) policy will take effect:

  • Job search is a valid need at application.
  • CC interviews can be waived in most circumstances.
  • Participant’s statement is acceptable for units of care unless questionable.
  • Only the needs of the applicant must be verified when determining eligibility for two-parent households.

Note: These changes are not retroactive and only apply to change in circumstance or applications processed on or after May 1, 2023.

 

Job Search will be considered as a valid need at application:

At the time of application, job search can be used if the applicant has no other qualifying activity. Use the new code JSP (Job Search at application) on the Child Care Needs (CCNEED/FMAC) in FAMIS. JSP can only be used for a part-time authorization, and is only allowed for a maximum of 90 days and cannot be used for consecutive applications (see examples in chart below). Collateral Contact must be used to verify CCNEED or the application will pend incorrectly.

End date the JSP need on the last day of the month in which the ninetieth (90)-calendar day falls. If the applicant has not found another qualifying activity by the end of 90 days, the child care subsidy will be closed. Eligibility based on job search at application can be regained 14 months from the start date of the last certification period claiming job search as the need.

Application date Start date End date  Regains Eligibility
January 13 January 13 April 30 March 1 of the next calendar year
April 24 April 24 July 31 June 1 of the next calendar year
September 18 September 18 December 31 November 1 of the next calendar year

 

Child Care interviews are waived in most circumstances:

Most households are not required to have an interview. An interview is only required if there is not enough information received to take an application through the FAMIS flow or if the information received is questionable and cannot be acquired or verified utilizing other resources.

Other resources may include:

  • Verification received for other programs and consistent with the participant’s statement,
  • Information in the case record that is consistent with the participant’s statement,
  • Equifax, also known as The Work Number (TWN),
    • Please follow all applicable rules regarding access for CC only applications prior to accessing TWN.
  • IIVE, or
  • IMES.

When taking the application through the FAMIS flow staff must make every effort to review the household’s circumstances through available electronic resources prior to contacting the household. After all efforts to get or clarify information have been used, a Request for Contact (FA-331) is sent to the household and comments made in FAMIS supporting the decision to require an interview. Staff should continue to request verification necessary to support their eligibility decision.

Participant’s statement for units of care is accepted unless questionable:

When income verification and/or other supporting documents provided are consistent, participant’s statement is acceptable to authorize units of care. A schedule only needs to be requested when staff have information that is questionable. Contact the participant to clarify units of care when necessary.

Note: Do not delay approving a CC case if verification is needed for units of care. Units of care authorizations are separate from eligibility determination.

Two-parent households:

The applicant must be engaged in a qualifying activity but the existence and/or verification of a valid need for the second parent is not required. The same qualifying activity verified for the applicant is entered into FAMIS for the second parent. A comment is made on the second parent’s CCNEED screen noting the entries are the same as the applying parent’s since verification of need is not required for the second parent.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

 

KE/sf