IM-23 INTRODUCING THE COMBINED INCOME MAINTENANCE (IM) POLICY MANUAL

FROM: MANDI ADAMS, INTERIM DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: INTRODUCING THE COMBINED INCOME MAINTENANCE (IM) POLICY MANUAL

 

DISCUSSION:

The Family Support Division has launched a new Combined IM Policy Manual, containing policies for all IM programs:

  • MO HealthNet Programs
  • Temporary Assistance
  • SNAP
  • Aged, Blind, & Disabled Cash Programs

No changes to program policy were made with the transition to the Combined Manual, but the policy wording was re-written with plainer, less-technical language.

Shared policy sections were created for topics that have similar eligibility factors for all IM programs, such as Applications, Non-Financial Eligibility, Financial Eligibility, and Hearings, with program-specific differences noted throughout the sections. Program-specific eligibility factors can be found in separate policy sections for MO HealthNet, Temporary Assistance, and SNAP.

The integrated search function allows users to search by keyword or topic and see how that item is treated by each program. Policy is further streamlined by utilizing charts to organize details, such as types of income and resources or income limits, where possible.

A total of 16 individual manuals have been combined into the new manual, with SuN Bucks set to be added in the future. The current manuals will all be archived April 23, 2025. Memos, e-mail memos, and Hot Tips from 2024 and prior will also be archived.

The Combined Manual can be accessed the same way as the prior manuals – a link to the Combined IM Policy Manual has been added to dssmanuals.mo.gov. The Forms Manual, National Voter Registration (NVR) Manual, and manuals for other DSS divisions remain here as well.

An introduction video with an overview of the layout of the manual as well as how to navigate and search the manual is available here.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Staff questions and concerns should be sent through normal supervisory channels.

 

 

 

MA/mn

IM-10 UPDATE TO THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE APPLICATION (IM-1TA)

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATE TO THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE APPLICATION (IM-1TA)

FORM REVISION #
IM-1TA
IM-1TA SPANISH
IM-1TA DARI
IM-1TA PASHTO

 

DISCUSSION:

The IM-1TA has been updated to include a new link and Quick Response (QR) code informing veterans of resources available to them and their family.

Continue to accept the 02/2024 version of the IM-1TA as this question does not impact eligibility requirements.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Begin using revised IM-1TA 01/2025 immediately.
  • Discard and recycle blank obsolete IM-1TA forms prior to 01/2025.
  • Share with community partners.

 

 

 

KE/hs

IM-137 MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FAMIS ENHANCEMENT

FROM:  REGINALD E. McELHANNON, INTERIM DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FAMIS ENHANCEMENT

 

DISCUSSION:

This is the fifth in a series of enhancements to FAMIS to provide current information to the Authorized Representative (AR) as well as the MHABD participant.

IM-77 November 14, 2016 introduced the first notices to be automatically sent to the MHABD AR.

IM-35 April 24, 2017 introduced the next notices to be automatically sent to the MHABD AR.

2017 IM Memorandum #89 dated July 11, 2017 introduced more notices to be automatically sent to the MHABD AR.

IM-165 December 27, 2017 introduced additional notices to the AR.

Effective September 2, 2019 FAMIS will introduce two new screens.  These screens will be used for MHABD authorized representatives only, and will allow for the entry of an AR for the head of household (HOH) and/or other eligibility unit (EU) members.  

  •  Select ADM Authorized Representative (FMNH/SELADMAR)
    Includes a list of all open ARs.  This screen will also list ARs that were added on this screen and then ended.  ARs that were ended prior to the conversion to FMNH will remain on the Representative List (FMJ1/AUTHREP) screen, and will not be added to FMNH.
  • MHABD Representative Detail (FMNG) AR specific information will be added to this screen. There is no fastpath to this screen, it must be accessed from FMNH/SELADMAR.

NOTE: Authorized representatives for Food Stamp (FS), Child Care (CC), and Temporary Assistance (TA) cases will continue to be entered and updated on Representative List (FMJ1/AUTHREP) and Representative Detail (FMJG).

FMNH and FMNG will allow the collection of more specific information about who the participant wants to represent them and in what manner.  Participants will be able to choose a Primary Authorized Representative.  Notices will only be mailed to the primary AR.    

MHABD ARs will now be designated for the individual, not the entire eligibility unit (EU).  Each spouse may select his/her own AR. 

Notices will now be sent to the AR for couple cases, IF they share the same primary AR, or if only the individual requesting or receiving benefits designates an AR.  

NOTE: Protected Health Information (PHI) Permission response of N will not prevent notices being mailed to an AR coded as primary. 

ARs previously entered on the Representative List (AUTHREP/FMJ1) screen will be converted to the new FMNH and FMNG screens September 1, 2019.  Information will be moved for all open ARs to the HOH only.  Primary role will be assigned based on the hierarchy previously developed, see IM-165 December 27, 2017.   At each contact and the annual reinvestigation, review converted ARs to ensure information is correct.  Converted ARs coded with a role of APP (application only) must be ended.  These can be re-entered with their correct role if they were not intended to be application only ARs. Converted ARs may be updated to indicate they are primary, or not, etc.  Type and Role may not be updated once entered or converted.  Closed ARs will not be converted to the new screen, and will remain on the AUTHREP screen. 

NOTE: Updating a converted AR to shared Y will NOT create a copy for the spouse.  It is necessary to end the converted AR, and re-enter as shared.  Do not enter the same AR for the spouse without ending the converted AR.  FAMIS will treat this as 2 separate ARs, not a single shared AR.

It may be necessary to:

  • review the IM6AR the participant submitted to determine the correct role was assigned when the AR was entered into FAMIS,
  • call a participant to ensure the AR is correct and has the correct authority, or
  • send an IM6ARR so the participant can end the AR designation.

When an application is registered and FSD staff indicates on the Application Detail screen that an AR has signed the MHABD application, the FMNG screen will appear immediately following Eligibility Unit Member Role (FM3Z/EUMEMROL) in the controlled flow.  If there is also a FS, CC, or TA application AUTHREP will follow FMNG.  If the same AR is listed for MHABD and another program the AR must be entered on both screens.

NOTE:  The AR’s address must not be entered as the mailing address on the Person Detail (PRSNDTL) screen.  When the AR’s address is entered, the participant does not receive a copy of notices.

Representatives with Application Only (APO) role

On the FMNG screen the AR role of APO will be used to indicate the AR has been designated to assist with the application process only.  An AR coded as APO will be ended by FAMIS upon the completion of the application (approval or rejection).   If a hearing is requested the staff member who receives the hearing request must make updates as follows:

  1. Cancel reject the application if appropriate,
  2. Update the hearing field to Y on the FMNG screen and
  3. Remove the AR end date if application was not cancel rejected.

When the hearing decision is received:

  1. Update the hearing request to N on the FMNG screen,
  2. Enter the current date as the end date, and
  3. Approve or reject as indicated by the hearing decision.

User guides have been developed to give further instructions for adding an Authorized Representative for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled and the hearing requested field.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • At each contact or the annual reinvestigation, review Authorized Representatives to ensure information is correct and current.
  • Begin adding new MHABD authorized representatives on the FMNH/FMNG screens.

RM/vb

ATTACHMENTS:

IM-85 REVISIONS TO THE AREAS OF COOPERATION AND SANCTIONS FOR REFUSAL TO COOPERATE SECTIONS OF THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE MANUAL

FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  REVISIONS TO THE AREAS OF COOPERATION AND SANCTIONS FOR REFUSAL TO COOPERATE SECTIONS OF THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE MANUAL.

MANUAL REVISION #57

0205.060.10

0205.060.35

 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to notify staff that the below sections of the Temporary Assistance Manual have been revised to reflect current Temporary Assistance policy.

IM Manual Section 0205.060.10 Areas of Cooperation is updated to add information explaining what to do if a TA applicant or participant does not return a completed Referral/Information for Child Support Services (CS-201) form.

IM Manual Section 0205.060.35 Sanctions for Refusal to Cooperate is updated to add information about the Child Support (CS) to Income Maintenance (IM) Communication Portal. It also clarifies that sanctions should not be entered or ended without a request from Child Support via the portal and only Eligibility Specialists charged with working the portal should enter and end Child Support sanctions.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

PL/hrp

IM-080 – FIDUCIARY ACCESS TO DIGITAL ASSETS

FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
   FIDUCIARY ACCESS TO DIGITAL ASSETS

 

                              MANUAL REVISION #60
                              0105.040.23     

DISCUSSION:

House Bill 1250 (2018) known as the Missouri Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, allows authorized individuals to access a participant’s online account information under certain circumstances.

Section 0105.040.23 Deceased Persons and Digital Assets has been added to the General Info Manual.  This section applies to all Income Maintenance programs and includes the information needed in order for FSD to fulfill requests regarding a deceased participant’s online FSD account.

Information regarding authorized representatives and protective payees can be found in the following sections:

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum and new manual sections with appropriate staff.

 

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