IM-71 SUPPLEMENTAL AID TO THE BLIND AND BLIND PENSION MAXIMUM GRANT AMOUNTS

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  SUPPLEMENTAL AID TO THE BLIND AND BLIND PENSION MAXIMUM GRANT AMOUNTS

 

DISCUSSION:

Supplemental Aid to the Blind (SAB) and Blind Pension (BP) will not have an increase in the grant for fiscal year 2022 which begins July 1, 2021 and ends June 30, 2022. The maximum grant continues to be $750.00.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/mc

IM-70 ANNUAL MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) ASSET LIMIT INCREASE

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  ANNUAL MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) ASSET LIMIT INCREASE

MANUAL REVISION #
APPENDIX J
APPENDIX K
APPENDIX L

 

DISCUSSION:

As a result of HB1565 (2016), asset limits for MHABD programs have increased effective July 1, 2021:

  • Individual asset limit is $5,035.00.
  • Couple asset limit is $10,070.00.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/mc

IM-69 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) AND CHILD CARE SUBSIDY (CC) SLIDING FEE EXPENSE

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) AND CHILD CARE SUBSIDY (CC) SLIDING FEE EXPENSE

 

DISCUSSION:

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA) allows for sliding scale fees to be waived for the CC program.

Participants will not be required to pay sliding fees effective June 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.

Sliding fees are not an allowable expense during this time for SNAP, as the participant is no longer responsible for paying it. CC co-payments charged by child care providers continue to be the responsibility of the participant.

Example: Mrs. Potter’s child Harriett is approved for child care subsidy, 23 full time days per month. Mrs. Potter pays a co-payment of $25 per week to the daycare and has a sliding fee of $2 per full time day. On DCEXP (FMXM) screen her expense is currently listed as $154.33.

Copayment: $25 x 4.333 = $108.33
Sliding fee: $2 x 23 = $46
Total: $108.33 + $46 = $154.33

Effective 6/1/2021 her expense will be reduced to $108.33, the copayment only.

NOTE: All other types of expenses listed on the DCEXP (FMXM) screen remain unchanged, such as mileage (MI). MI is added to DCEXP screen as a separate expense, and should not be combined with the co-payment or sliding fee expenses.

Adverse action notices will be sent for active SNAP households prior to any reduction in benefits.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/vb

IM-68 COVID-19 FIFTEENTH EXTENSION OF PANDEMIC SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (P-SNAP) EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: COVID-19 FIFTEENTH EXTENSION OF PANDEMIC SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (P-SNAP) EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS

 

DISCUSSION:

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 allows Emergency Allotments (EA) of supplemental benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps) to be issued to eligible SNAP households. The P-SNAP program raises a household’s SNAP allotment to the maximum amount for the household size.

Supplemental benefits were issued by the Family Support Division (FSD) from March 2020 through July 2021 as part of the P-SNAP program. P-SNAP has been extended through July 2021. Beyond July 2021, participation in P-SNAP will be decided on a month-to-month basis during the COVID-19 health crisis.

NOTE: In April 2021, there was a calculation method change to P-SNAP. SNAP households are now entitled to a minimum of $95 in P-SNAP benefits.

SNAP households do not need to apply for P-SNAP. The supplemental benefit will be automatically added to the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.

NOTE: Households approved for SNAP benefits, but receiving a zero SNAP benefit allotment, are not eligible to receive P-SNAP.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ks

IM-67 UPDATES TO THE PRIOR QUARTER (PQ) AND MONTH OF APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY SECTION IN THE FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) MANUAL

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATES TO THE PRIOR QUARTER (PQ) AND MONTH OF APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY SECTION IN THE FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) MANUAL

MANUAL REVISION #
1850.030.00
1850.040.30

 

DISCUSSION:

Section 1850.030.00 Prior Quarter (PQ) and Month of Application Eligibility in the MAGI manual is updated to note that MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women (MPW) coverage can continue from PQ months into ongoing coverage, despite increased income in the application month. Review the manual section for additional information and examples.

Section 1850.040.30 Coverage When Application is Made After the Birth is updated with a reference to 1850.030.00.

For cases which require a coverage correction, refer to Adding New MO Override Eligibility Evidence in MEDES Resources.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ers

 

IM-66 FORM REVISIONS TO HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM PAYMENT PROGRAM (HIPP) APPLICATIONS AND AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL FORMS

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  FORM REVISIONS TO HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM PAYMENT PROGRAM (HIPP) APPLICATIONS AND AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL FORMS

FORM REVISION #
HIPP-1
HIPP-A
MO 886-4704
MO 886-4705
MO 886-4706

 

DISCUSSION:

Multiple forms have been revised in the Department of Social Services (DSS) Forms Manual to provide updated versions of forms maintained by other divisions.

Application for Health Insurance Premium Payment Program (HIPP-1) and Application for Health Insurance Premium Payment Program for HIV/AIDS (HIPP-A) forms were updated by MO HealthNet Division with a revision date of 8/2020.

Ticket to Work Health Assurance Automatic Withdrawal Authorization (MO 886-4704), Spenddown Pay-In Automatic Withdrawal Authorization (MO 886-4705), and MO HealthNet for Kids Insurance Premium Payments Automatic Withdrawal Authorization (MO 886-4706) forms were updated by the Division of Finance and Administrative Services (DFAS) with a revision date of 1/2021. These forms now have form numbers and the form numbers were added to the DSS Forms Manual.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/cj

IM-65 UPDATES TO DURATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) MANUAL

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATES TO DURATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) MANUAL

MANUAL REVISION #
0803.020.10.20

 

DISCUSSION:

Section 0803.020.10.20 Duration of Appointment of Representative has been updated to remove the requirement that an application must be received within 30 days of the receipt of the signed Appointment of Authorized Representative (IM-6AR) form.

Additionally, this section has been modified to advise a signed IM-6AR must be received within 90 days of the date of the participant’s signature to be a valid IM-6AR.

EXAMPLE: An employee of the local hospital submits an IM-6AR on behalf of Aaron, who is applying for MO HealthNet. The IM-6AR was signed by Aaron 7 months ago. The IM-6AR was not submitted within 90 days of the date Aaron signed it, therefore, it is not a valid IM-6AR.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ers

IM-64 UPDATE TO THIRD PARTY LIABILITY (TPL) SECTION IN THE FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) AND MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) MANUALS

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATE TO THIRD PARTY LIABILITY (TPL) SECTION IN THE FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) AND MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) MANUALS

MANUAL REVISION #
0880.020.00
1805.045.00

 

DISCUSSION:

Third Party Liability (TPL) policy has been updated. Updates include the addition of examples and the following clarification:

Uninsured status is an eligibility factor for certain types of coverage, such as Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP). To determine eligibility for one of these coverage types, insured status cannot be questionable. Obtain and document information or clarification to explain insured status before determining eligibility.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/ers

IM-63 INTRODUCING AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED SUPPLEMENT (IM-1ABDS) AND OBSOLETING APPLICATION FOR MO HEALTHNET (MEDICAID) (IM-1MA)

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: INTRODUCING AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED SUPPLEMENT (IM-1ABDS) AND OBSOLETING APPLICATION FOR MO HEALTHNET (MEDICAID) (IM-1MA)

FORM REVISION #
IM-1ABDS
IM-1ABDS (SPANISH)
IM-1ABDS (LP)

 

DISCUSSION:

The Aged, Blind, and Disabled Supplement (IM-1ABDS) has been created for use with the Application for Health Coverage & Help Paying Costs (IM-1SSL) which is currently used for Family MO HealthNet (MAGI) programs. The Aged, Blind, and Disabled Supplement (IM-1ABDS) collects program specific information and asset information for the MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind and Disabled (MHABD) programs. Spanish and Large Print forms are also available. This change simplifies the application process for participants who want to apply for Medicaid benefits and provides Family Support Division (FSD) with the information to explore all potential Medicaid coverage.

Effective July 6, 2021 when a participant applies for MO HealthNet (MHN), they must complete the IM-1SSL to collect address, household members, income, and other basic MHN eligibility information. If the participant is disabled, blind, over the age of 65, or in need of long-term care, then they will also complete the IM-1ABDS to collect information regarding program specific questions, assets, and other expenses required for the MHABD programs.

The IM-1ABDS CANNOT be accepted as an application without the signed IM-1SSL. If an IM-1ABDS is received without a signed application, FSD staff must contact the participant to advise that they did not submit a valid application and provide information about applying online or by phone, or offer to mail an application to the participant. The application date is the date a signed IM-1SSL is received.

Staff should complete the IM-1ABDS if the required information cannot be collected from the participant by phone or in person.

The IM-1ABDS CAN be used by a participant to request a referral for an active MAGI participant who is requesting MHABD benefits. Staff must follow current procedures for exploring MHABD coverage.

As of 7/6/2021, the IM-1MA is obsolete and should not be distributed by FSD staff. Unused applications should be discarded and the IM-1SSL and IM-1ABDS should be used for all MHABD applicants. Staff who work with community partners and other stakeholders should advise of the new application process.

FSD will honor IM-1MA’s received between 7/6/2021 and 12/31/2021 as applications. An IM-1MA received prior to 12/31/2021 MUST be processed as a valid application.

NOTE: If an IM-1MA is received after 12/31/21, FSD staff must send an IM-1SSL and IM-1ABDS to the participant. If the IM-1SSL is returned, the date of application would be the date the IM-1MA was first received.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • FSD staff should address any questions or concerns regarding this change through normal supervisory channels.
  • FSD staff should order IM-1ABDS forms from the e-store.
  • Access and print IM-1SSL and IM-1ABDS form from DSS Forms Manual.
  • Discard any unused IM-1MA forms.

 

KE/cj

IM-62 2021 PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY (PE) INCOME GUIDELINES CONTINUED

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  2021 PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY (PE) INCOME GUIDELINES CONTINUED

MANUAL REVISION #
APPENDIX A (1900.000.00)

 

DISCUSSION:

The PE Appendix A which posted April 1, 2021 has been extended through March 31, 2022. The attached Appendix A, found in the Presumptive Eligibility Manual, is effective from July 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/df