Category: IM Memo

IM-143 JANUARY 2023 COLA ADJUSTMENT OF SSA/SSI/VA/RR INCOME FOR ALL INCOME MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS EXCEPT FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI)

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: JANUARY 2023 COLA ADJUSTMENT OF SSA/SSI/VA/RR INCOME FOR ALL INCOME MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS EXCEPT FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI)

MANUAL REVISION #

0410.010.15 APPENDIX B
0805.020.15 APPENDIX D
0865.010.15 APPENDIX E
1030.010.05 APPENDIX J
1030.035.10 APPENDIX K
1030.035.20  
1030.035.25  

 

 

DISCUSSION:

In January 2023, all Social Security Administration (SSA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Administration (VA), and Railroad Retirement (RR) participants will receive an 8.7% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).

The weekend of December 10, 2022, a mass adjustment will be completed in the eligibility system for Child Care (CC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (TA), and MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MHABD) 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 2023 COLA will have the following effect on SNAP cases:

  • Increase in SNAP benefit reductions for January 2023
  • Increase in SNAP closures for December 2022

SSI Increases

SSI TABLE 2022 AMOUNT 2023 AMOUNT INCREASE
SSI Individual maximum (in own household) $841 $914 $73
SSI Couple maximum (in own household) $1,261 $1,371 $110
SSI Individual in household of another $561 $609 $48
SSI Couple in household of another $841 $914 $73
SSI Essential person/own home $421 $458 $37

 

MHABD Standards Adjustments

NEW MHABD STANDARDS 2022 AMOUNT 2023 AMOUNT
Maximum Allotment of Community Spouse $3,435 $3,716
Minimum Maintenance Standard for Allotments $2,289 $2,289
Maximum Allocation to a child $420 $457
Maximum Allotment to a child $726 $763
Minimum Spousal Share $27,480 $29,724
Maximum Spousal Share $137,400 $148,620
Maximum Home Equity $636,000 $688,000
HCB Maximum $1,470 $1,598
SAB Standard $908 $987

 

Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Premium Adjustment

The standard SMI, commonly known as Medicare Part B, premium will decrease for 2023 to $164.90. The SMI premium for those who begin receiving Medicare in 2023 will be $164.90. 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 MHABD Program Increases

Resource Limits for Medicare Savings Programs (QMB/SLMB/QI-1)
For a single individual, the resource limit increases to $9,090 for a married couple, the resource limit increases to $13,630. There is no change in policy regarding how to determine available resources.

Vendor Maximum Monthly Maintenance Standard
The 2023 Maximum Monthly Maintenance Standard is $3,716.

Minimum and Maximum Spousal Share
The 2023 minimum spousal share is $29,724. The new maximum spousal share is $148,620. Both amounts become effective for any assessment completed on or after January 1, 2023.

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

  • $2,460 for statutorily blind individuals
  • $1,470 for non-blind individuals

 

Policy and Appendices Updates
The following appendices were updated to show the new amounts:

Manual sections 0410.010.15, 0865.010.15, 1030.010.05 and 1030.035.10 are revised to remove outdated information and reference Appendix J for current information.
Manual sections 0805.020.15, 1030.035.20 and 1030.035.25 are updated to specify that data contained in examples are for illustrative purposes only and do not contain current numbers.

 

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 2023, do not use the “CO” – COLA verification code.

Note: The Families First Coronavirus Response Action of 2020 (FFCRA) requires that MO HealthNet (MHN) coverage for individuals be maintained at the same level or better for the duration of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). There will be no adverse action to reduce or end MHN coverage due to COLA changes until the end of the PHE.

 

Reports with Actions Needed
Reports with action needed will be distributed to the SNAP, TA/CC, and MHN Program Managers for assignment. 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/mc

IM-142 2023 FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) FOR VETERANS ADMINISTRATION (VA) AND RAILROAD (RR) INCOME

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: 2023 FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) FOR VETERANS ADMINISTRATION (VA) AND RAILROAD (RR) INCOME

 

DISCUSSION:

Effective January 2023, VA and RR participants will receive an 8.7% COLA. System updates will be made the weekend of December 10, 2022. 

Note: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (FFCRA) requires that MO HealthNet (MHN) coverage for individuals be maintained at the same level or better for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). The eligibility system will not reduce or end MHN coverage due to the COLA changes until the PHE is ended and a review of the case has been completed.

 

Cases Adjusted

Cases that include income types VA and/or RR benefits in the eligibility system are subject to an automatic increase of 8.7% for those income types. The eligibility system will end date the previous income and add a new piece of income evidence that reflects the adjusted income amount.

Note: Actions to reduce benefits will not be taken until the COVID-19 PHE has ended and a review of the case has been completed.

 

Cases That Did Not Adjust

Some cases will not adjust during the COLA. These cases will require manual intervention from staff to add the increased income amounts. As cases are reviewed, check the income on each case to determine if the current income is entered. Update and verify income as required using established procedures.

 

Notices

For case updates made as a result of COLA, the eligibility system will finalize the decision(s) and send out the appropriate notices.

Note: Adverse Action notices will not be issued until the COVID-19 PHE has ended and a review of the case has been completed.

 

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

 

KE/kg

IM-141 REVISED BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER TREATMENT MO HEALTHNET APPLICATION (IM-1BC)

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: REVISED BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER TREATMENT MO HEALTHNET APPLICATION (IM-1BC)

FORM REVISION #
IM-1BC

 

DISCUSSION:

The IM-1BC is used by Show Me Healthy Women providers to assist participants applying for Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment coverage.

The IM-1BC was revised to use updated terms and remove outdated information. The IM-1BC has a revision date of 10/2022. Providers should begin using the updated form with a 10/2022 revision date immediately, but outdated forms may still be accepted as valid applications through 1/31/2023.

The IM-1BC is available in the public and internal forms manuals.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Begin using the revised form (10/2022) immediately.
  • Discard outdated forms.
  • Provide updated form to community partners.

 

 

 

KE/cj

 

IM-140 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE MANUAL SECTION UPDATED

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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE MANUAL SECTION UPDATED

MANUAL REVISION #
1120.025.05

 

DISCUSSION:

The 1120.025.05 Authorized Representative section of the SNAP manual was updated with current terms and to remove references to FAMIS. Obsolete instructions concerning entering information on the Representative (FMMP) screen were removed. The FMMP screen is no longer used to record authorized representative information.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

 

KE/vb

IM-139 CRYPTOCURRENCY AND DIGITAL CURRENCIES FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) AND MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD)

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: CRYPTOCURRENCY AND DIGITAL CURRENCIES FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) AND MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD)

MANUAL REVISION #
1030.015.10
1110.000.00
1110.025.00

 

DISCUSSION:

Policy for cryptocurrency and digital currencies has been added to the SNAP and December 1973 Eligibility Requirements Manuals. These currencies should always be explored when discussing income and/or liquid resources. A Request for Clearance (IM-14) should be submitted for case-specific clarification for Temporary Assistance and/or other combination cases.

Cryptocurrencies and digital currencies should be valued using the U.S. Dollars (USD) price listed on the exchange where the currency is stored or traded. The rate listed on the exchange is for one unit of crypto currency/digital currency and will need to be multiplied by the total units held.

  • If Bitcoin (or any other digital currency) is purchased or held on the “Coinbase” exchange, use the rate listed on that exchange provided by the participant.
  • If the digital currency is not held on an exchange, staff should utilize Coinranking.com and use the 30 day average of the currency’s value for the resource amount.

 

 

Example: Hillari owns 10 units of XRP digital currency. The above screen from Coinranking.com gives the USD conversion over a 30 day time period for one unit of XRP as $0.3910, making the calculations as follows:

    • 10 XRP units x $.03910/unit = $0.39 total units held value

 

When verifying these liquid resources:

  • Document the website used to determine the value of the cryptocurrency/digital currency;
  • Note the exact exchange rate at the time of the interview or the calculations used to get a 30 day average;
  • Document the amount of cryptocurrency and/or digital currency the household owns; and
  • If obtainable, submit a screenshot of the exchange site the participant is using to the Electronic Content Management (ECM) system.

If the participant is able to show digital currency amounts through a digital currency ledger, submit a copy (if able) to the (ECM. Self-attestation may be permitted if unable to show an account ledger.

When entering in the eligibility system, code as a liquid resource on the Select Financial Resource (SELFRES/FMWB) screen. Use savings as the type and add a comment explaining the findings.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

KE/se

IM-137 INTRODUCING A NEW FORM AND REVISED FORMS FOR MO HEALTHNET (MHN) PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE INCARCERATED AND SUSPENDED

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: INTRODUCING A NEW FORM AND REVISED FORMS FOR MO HEALTHNET (MHN) PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE INCARCERATED AND SUSPENDED

FORM REVISION #
IM-150
IM-151
IM-152
IM-153

 

DISCUSSION:

When MHN participants are incarcerated, benefits must be suspended. If an incarcerated participant goes to the hospital or other medical facility where they are admitted for an inpatient period of more than 24 hours, the suspended benefits are restored. When an incarcerated participant is released, the suspended benefits are redetermined and restored.

Family Support Division (FSD) has several existing forms that are used in the course of work for suspended participants. These forms have been revised as explained below:

  • Suspending Incarcerated Participants (IM-150)
    • Revised form name
    • Provided new email address for submitting the form
    • Added fields:
      • to indicate that a new application was submitted
      • for DOC/Offender ID
      • for reporter’s contact information details.
  • Inpatient Coverage for Incarcerated Participants (IM-151)
    • Updated the email address for submitting the form
    • Added fields to indicate that a new application was submitted
  • Restoring a Suspended Participant Change Report (IM-152)
    • Revised form name
    • Provided new email address for submitting the form
    • Added fields for:
      • DOC/Offender ID
      • Additional contact information
      • Additional pregnancy details
      • The report’s contact information details.

A new form, Applying for Incarcerated Participants in Department of Corrections (IM-153) was created specifically for new applicants who are being assisted by Department of Corrections (DOC) staff and/or their medical provider, Centurion. Participants assisted by DOC or Centurion are managed by a specialized unit and the coversheet is used to identify these participants.

If any of these forms are received by staff, notify the specialized unit by sending an email to FSD.SuspendedDOC@dss.mo.gov. The email should include:

  • Subject line: Incarceration information received
  • The participant’s name
  • The participant’s DCN
  • What was received and when
  • Any other relevant information

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

 

KE/cj

 

IM-136 UPDATES TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) FORMS

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATES TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) FORMS

FORM REVISION #
FA-202
IM-1TA
IM-1TA-SPANISH

 

DISCUSSION:

TA forms have been updated to replace outdated information.

The TA Eligibility Review Form (FA-202) has been updated as follows:

  • References to the FSD.Documents email address have been replaced with mydssupload.mo.gov (FSD Upload Portal).

The IM-1TA and IM-1TA Spanish application forms have been updated as follows:

  • References to the FSD.Documents email address have been replaced with mydssupload.mo.gov (FSD Upload Portal).
  • Section 34 “Important Information About Your Hearing Rights” of the TA Application has been updated to only give information on the rights, timeframes, requesting a hearing, and the Civil Rights Law.

Individuals can use mydssupload.mo.gov to submit a variety of documents to the Family Support Division including, but not limited to, applications, reviews, changes, or supporting documents.

The following forms in the public dssmanuals.mo.gov and internal forms-manual forms manual have been updated.

  • IM-1TA
  • IM-1TA Spanish

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

KE/hd

 

 

IM-135 UPDATE TO CROWDFUNDING EXAMPLE FOR MODIFIED ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME (MAGI) METHODOLOGY

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATE TO CROWDFUNDING EXAMPLE FOR MODIFIED ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME (MAGI) METHODOLOGY

MANUAL REVISION #
1805.030.20.10

 

DISCUSSION:

MAGI manual section 1805.030.20.10 Income Excluded Under MAGI has updated examples to clarify when the income from a crowdfunding event is considered countable or excluded in the MAGI budget.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  •  Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

 

KE/ams

IM-134 APPEAL TO FAIR HEARING DECISION FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) CLAIMS

Posted on

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: APPEAL TO FAIR HEARING DECISION FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) CLAIMS

MANUAL REVISIONS #
1142.050.00

 

DISCUSSION:

When a fair hearing is requested timely for a claim that has been established, there is no recoupment of SNAP benefits until a hearing decision is made.

Similarly, when an appeal is filed to the Circuit Court for the fair hearing decision, SNAP benefits are not recouped until the Circuit Court renders a judgment.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

 

 

KE/se