FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: INCREASE IN VENDOR MINIMUM MONTHLY MAINTENANCE NEEDS ALLOWANCE AND SHELTER STANDARDS ADJUSTMENTS IN VENDOR
MANUAL REVISION #
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX J
DISCUSSION:
Effective July 1, 2021, the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Allowance (MMMNA) and Shelter Standard for Vendor cases are increased. The eligibility system adjusts all Vendor cases on June 12, 2021.
NEW MMMNA AND SHELTER STANDARD
Allotments for community spouses, minor children, and eligible dependents and the MMMNA and Shelter Standard are revised for actions effective the month of July 2021 and later. The revised guidelines effective July 2021 are:
| Minimum Maintenance Standard |
$ 2,178 |
| Shelter Standard |
$ 653 |
CASES ADJUSTED DURING MASS ADJUSTMENT
The eligibility system uses the current standards for the allotment and surplus determinations completed prior to the mass adjustment.
If there is a community spouse, minor or eligible dependent, the eligibility system determines the new allotment amount using the revised standards. The new allotment for a community spouse, minor or eligible dependent displays on the Allotment Information (ALLOT, FMJ6) screen. The new allotment for a minor not living with the community spouse displays on the Minor Living Outside Allotment Information (MINOR, FMJ2) screen.
If there is a change in the surplus amount, the institutionalized spouse’s coverage is adjusted during the mass adjustment and a notice is sent to the participant.
The coverage for the community spouse, minor or eligible dependent is NOT automatically updated. Manual update of the allotment amount on the Select Income (SELINC) screen is required. This will often result in an adverse action for the community spouse, minor or eligible dependent due to the increase in the allotment amount.
NOTE: Adverse actions are currently being suspended due to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).
The change in the surplus amount displays on the Adult MO HealthNet Vendor Budget Summary (FMD8) screen.
To access the Adult MO HealthNet Vendor Budget Screen:
- Go to the EU Action Log (EULOG/FM40) screen;
- Select a Budget Month;
- Enter F17=INQAUTH;
- Select F16=MHABD;
- Select Coverage Type VEND and press F16=AGBUDSUM
After the adjustment, the eligibility system determines allotments and surpluses for July 2021 and later using the new standards.
NOTICES
Cases resulting in no change from the mass adjustment do not receive an action notice.
FAIR HEARING REQUEST
If the household requests a fair hearing, please see Email Memo IM-22 dated 04/29/2021 Income Maintenance Hearing Unit Statewide Rollout of E-referral Hand of Button for Hearings Requests.
NOTE: Comments must also be made regarding the hearing request in the eligibility system.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
KE/mc
