Category: Temporary Home

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 #

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

MHABD Standards Adjustments

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:

• MHABD Manual
  • Appendix B – Maintenance Standards for Allotments
  • Appendix E – HCB Income Maximums
  • Appendix J – Eligibility Standards for MHABD
  • Appendix K – MO HealthNet eligibility for people who are Aged (65 and Over), Blind, Disabled, or need treatment for Breast or Cervical Cancer
• December 1973 Eligibility Requirements Manual
  • Appendix D – Substantial Gainful Activity

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

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UKRAINIAN HUMANITARIAN PAROLEE GUIDANCE FOR ALL PROGRAMS

DISCUSSION:

Due to section 401 of the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-128), Ukrainian individuals issued an immigration status of Humanitarian Parolee between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023 are considered Qualified Immigrants.

Effective May 21, 2022 these individuals are not subject to the five-year waiting period for MO HealthNet (MHN), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (TA) and Child Care (CC). If an individual was paroled and entered the United States between February 24, 2022 and May 21, 2022, their date of eligibility for MHN is February 24, 2022 and for SNAP, TA, and CC it is May 21, 2022. If they entered the United States after May 21, 2022, their date of eligibility is their date of humanitarian parole but they are eligible for prior quarter for MHN. Ukrainian parolees who previously applied and were denied benefits may reapply with eligibility determined from the date of reapplication or the corresponding prior quarter dates for MHN.

Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees are treated like refugees and should be coded in eligibility systems as refugees. The following documentation and codes indicate that an immigrant is a Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee:

• A form I-94 noting Humanitarian Parolee;
• Foreign passport with Department of Homeland Security / U.S. Customs and Borders (DHS/CBP) admission stamp noting Uniting for Ukraine (U4U);
• Foreign passport with DHS/CBP with a stamp admitting them as a Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee (UHP);
• Foreign passport with DHS/CBP admission stamp noting Parolee (DT);
• A Form I-765 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with code C11;
• A Form I-766 EAD with code C11; or
• A non-Ukrainian immigrant who last resided in the Ukraine, can be eligible if they provide one of the above documents AND documentation of their last habitual residence in Ukraine.

NOTE: Applications received for Humanitarian Parolees from the Ukraine must be sent to the FSD Refugee Unit at: FSDREFUGEE@ip.sp.mo.gov. Special entry is required to allow this population to be coded correctly. Do not process these applications.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/hrp

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: REVISIONS TO WAIVER OF 10-DAY ADVANCE NOTICE (IM-80A)

FORM REVISION #
IM-80A

DISCUSSION:

The IM-80A was updated with current Family Support Division (FSD) terms. Other changes were made to allow streamlined use for all FSD programs.

The FSD Staff section, at the bottom of the form, allows staff to provide their name and title and removes the requirement to witness the participant’s signature. This allows the IM-80A to be used by FSD staff interacting with participants by methods other than in person.

The IM-80A shows a revision date of 6/2022 and is available in the public and internal forms manuals.

NECESSARY ACTION:
• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Begin using the revised IM-80A immediately.

KE/cj