Category: Temporary Home

IM-98 COVID-19 MISSOURI WORK ASSISTANCE (MWA), TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) ORIENTATION AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY PLAN (PRP) UPDATES TO THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) PROGRAM

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 MISSOURI WORK ASSISTANCE (MWA), TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) ORIENTATION AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY PLAN (PRP) UPDATES TO THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) PROGRAM

DISCUSSION:

Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the Family Support Division (FSD) will continue to suspend MWA work requirements for TA participants through July 31, 2020. In addition, the completion of the TA Orientation and Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP) will continue to be waived while the work requirement is suspended. The procedure for processing TA cases during the MWA work requirement and TA Orientation suspension can be found in memo: IM-30 COVID-19 Temporary Updates to the Temporary Assistance (TA) Program.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/hrp

IM-97 COVID-19 EXPIRATION OF FAMILY CRISIS HARDSHIP EXTENSION FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA)

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 EXPIRATION OF FAMILY CRISIS HARDSHIP EXTENSION FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA)

DISCUSSION:

Due to the national health emergency which was declared March 13, 2020 in response to COVID-19, adjustments were made to the TA Program. These updates were outlined in Memo #30 posted April 04, 2020 and in Memo # 66 posted May 26, 2020.

The Hardship Extensions provided due to COVID-19 will expire June 30, 2020.

Cases coded J – “Hardship extension referred to MWA” in the “Work Req Ind” field and 25-“Family Crisis” in the “Extension Rsn” field with a re-evaluation date of 06/12/20 will be updated to D – “Referred to MWA” automatically. These cases will then close for reason LIF “45 Month Lifetime Limit Has Been Reached”. Field staff should not have to make any entries for these cases.

Continue to process and follow instructions as outlined in Memo #66 posted May 26, 2020 for instructions on referring any applicants for the Hardship Extension through June 30, 2020. If they are ineligible based on all other factors, including meeting the lifetime limit for the month of July, they should be ineligible for TA from July forward.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/plh

IM-88 COVID-19 HAZARD PAY FOR ALL INCOME MAINTENANCE (IM) PROGRAMS

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 HAZARD PAY FOR ALL INCOME MAINTENANCE (IM) PROGRAMS

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to discuss hazard pay for the Food Stamp (FS), Temporary Assistance (TA), Child Care (CC), and MO HealthNet (MHN) programs.

Hazard pay is additional pay for performing hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship.  If the participant receives hazard pay that is expected to be ongoing, even temporarily such as during an emergency period, it is included as part of their regular gross wages and not excluded as income or budgeted separately.  Hazard pay may also be shown as incentive pay on pay stubs.

Example:  Ms. Teel’s pay stubs for 4/30/2020 and 5/15/2020 verify gross wages in the amount of $550.  Her pay stubs also show she is paid $100 for hazard pay.  Ms. Teel’s gross wages for each pay period would be budgeted as $650.

Staff must enter detailed comments/notes in the eligibility system regarding the portion of wages that are hazard pay.  If the participant or employer indicates that hazard pay will only be received for a specific timeframe, comments/notes must include any information regarding the anticipated end date. 

NOTE:  In MEDES comments must be included on the evidence and person pages.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/rw/hrp/sb/rr/ams

IM-84 FORMS FOR MULTIPLE PROGRAMS TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  FORMS FOR MULTIPLE PROGRAMS TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH

DISCUSSION:

The following forms have been translated into Spanish and the Spanish versions have been added to the Forms Manual:

FORM NUMBER

FORM NAME

IM-1MA

Medicaid Application/Eligibility Statement

IM-1MAC

Addendum to MO HealthNet Application:  Request for Optional Cash Benefit

IM-1U MAGI

MAGI Annual Review

IM-1 QMB-SLMB

Application for Medicare Savings for Qualified Beneficiaries or Specified Low-Income Beneficiaries

IM-6ARR

IM Authorized Representative Revocation

IM-6NF

Nursing Facility Authorization Form

IM-12

Employment Information Request

IM-12A

New Employee Information Request

IM-31A SMHB

Request for Information-SMHB

IM-32SMHB

Action Notice SMHB

IM-33

Notice of Case Action

IM-33MAGI

MAGI Notice of Case Action

IM-33MHF

MO HealthNet for Families Notice of Action

IM-55A

Transitional Medicaid Quarterly Report-1st Quarter

IM-55B

Transitional Medicaid Quarterly Report-2nd Quarter

IM-55C

Transitional Medicaid Quarterly Report-3rd Quarter

IM-58

Transitional MO HealthNet Suspension Notice

650-2616

(HIPAA) Authorization for Disclosure of Consumer Medical/Health Information

IM-63HWN

MO HealthNet Undue Hardship Waiver Letter

IM-64HWR

MO HealthNet Undue Hardship Waiver Request

IM-78

Declaration of Assessment of Assets

IM-80

Adverse Action Notice

IM-80PRE

Pre-Closing Notice

IM-80 TMH

Adverse Action Notice

IM-87

Application for State Hearing

IM-90

Withdrawal of Request for Hearing

IM-90A

Agency Action Rescinded

IM-90B

Agency Action Withdrawn Participant Notification

IM-99

Burial Fund Resource Designation (IM-99)

 

REQUEST TO WITHDRAW OR CLOSE

CS-201

Referral/Information for Child Support Services

 

SSI/SSDI TRANSITION LETTER

 

SIGNATURE REQUEST LETTER

 

Utilize these forms as needed for participants who indicate a preference for written material in Spanish.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

RM/ams/ers

IM-74 REVISING REFERENCES TO THE SIXTY (60) MONTH LIFETIME LIMIT TO READ FORTY-FIVE (45) MONTH LIFETIME LIMIT IN THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) MANUAL

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  REVISING REFERENCES TO THE SIXTY (60) MONTH LIFETIME LIMIT TO READ FORTY-FIVE (45) MONTH LIFETIME LIMIT IN THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) MANUAL

MANUAL REVISION # 34

0205.075.45

0235.010.05

0245.000.00

0245.010.00

0262.020.00

0270.025.00

DISCUSSION:

This memorandum is to inform staff that the Temporary Assistance (TA) Manual has been updated to revise all sections making reference to the sixty (60) month lifetime limit to now read as forty-five (45) month lifetime limit.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/plh                            

IM-69 GOOD CAUSE DETERMINATIONS MANUAL UPDATE FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA)

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  GOOD CAUSE DETERMINATIONS MANUAL UPDATE FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA)

MANUAL REVISION #30

0205.060.25

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to notify staff that 0205.060.25 Determining Good Cause has been updated in the Temporary Assistance (TA) manual. This section has been updated to reflect that Family Support Division (FSD) Income Maintenance (IM) staff have 20 days to make a good cause determination. This may be increased to 45 days if the Temporary Assistance (TA) applicant or participant needs more time to obtain the verification needed to make the determination. In addition, changes have been made to clarify the good cause process for staff.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/hrp

 

 

IM-67 MANUAL UPDATE AND IMES CLARIFICATION FOR ALL INCOME MAINTENANCE (IM) PROGRAMS

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  MANUAL UPDATE AND IMES CLARIFICATION FOR ALL INCOME MAINTENANCE (IM) PROGRAMS

MANUAL REVISION #29

0110.025.05

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify when to utilize Income Maintenance and Employment Security interface (IMES) information and to inform staff of an update to the General Info Manual.  In section 0110.025.05 Earned Income the age to utilize IMES has been updated to age 16 for MO HealthNet and Cash Assistance Programs.   

IMES is a tool that can be used to give an indication of income and income changes.  It is only necessary to view and scan IMES to the Virtual File Room (VFR) once during the application, recertification, mid-certification (MCR) or annual review process.  An exception can be made for cases in which IMES shows potential Unemployment Compensation (UC), Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) or Trade Readjustment Assistance (TRA) approval. 

When IMES has been scanned to the VFR during the application process and subsequent views show no changes, record a comment in the eligibility system regarding IMES.

If IMES shows employment during the previous work quarter, make a comment about all conversations with the participant regarding previous employment in the eligibility system. 

NOTE: For MAGI cases, refer to Reasonable Compatibility guidelines.  For all other IM programs, pursue verification of income when required by policy.

Refer to the Comment Quick Reference Guide for specific instructions for recording comments.

During the Application and Recertification process:  View, scan to the VFR and comment/record regarding IMES on each eligibility unit (EU) member/household member age 16 and over. If an interview is required, use the information on IMES to review past and present employment history with the EU/household during the interactive interview.  Discuss any new or questionable IMES information with the applicant and comment/record.

NOTE: For MO HealthNet applications in which prior quarter (PQ) was requested, make a note in the eligibility system of any income received in the PQ.  Reference the date(s) the IMES indicates the income was received.

During the MCR and Annual Review/Renewal process:  View and scan IMES to the VFR for any individual age 16 or over.  Comment/record regarding IMES information in the eligibility system.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/rw/cs/ers/hrp

 

IM-66 COVID-19 UPDATE TO MEMO #30 POSTED 04/04/2020 – TEMPORARY UPDATES TO THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) PROGRAM (EXTENDING THROUGH JUNE 2020)

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 UPDATE TO MEMO #30 POSTED 04/04/2020 – TEMPORARY UPDATES TO THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA) PROGRAM (EXTENDING THROUGH JUNE 2020)

DISCUSSION:

On April 04, 2020 IM Memo #30 was posted. This memo included temporary updates to the Temporary Assistance Program due to the Proclamation on Declaring a National Health Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak which was issued on March 13, 2020 in response to COVID-19. These updates have been extended through the month of June 2020.

45 Month Lifetime Limit Extension

Note: Please review the instructions for FSD Staff as these have been updated.

FSD is extending TA benefits for up to Forty Nine (49) months through Hardship Extensions. Any participant that is due to close for meeting the Forty Five (45) month Lifetime Limit and do not qualify for any exemptions during the months of March, April, May and June 2020 will receive the Hardship Extension.

Hardship Extensions were completed through system updates for all active participants that reached their 45-month lifetime limit in the months of March, April, and May 2020. The COMPACT screen was updated to show these participants as J-“Hardship extension referred to MWA” in the “Work Req Ind” field and 25-“Family Crisis” in the “Extension Rsn” field. These have a re-evaluation date of 05/15/20 and will be updated to 06/12/20. The Work Requirement History (WKREQHIS) screen will show User ID COVID19 for cases that were updated automatically.

FSD staff processing TA applications received March 1 – Jun 30, 2020 will follow these procedures in referring these to Group E when a client may be eligible for this hardship extension:

  • FSD staff will enter codes J-“Hardship extension referred to MWA” and code 26 in the “Work Reg Ind” field to refer this to Group E to be processed as normal. Enter a re-evaluation date of 3 days following the date the case is taken through CONFLOWS. (Refer to the CRG under Lifetime Limit for current process).
  • When completing the IM-2EH for this hardship extension you will mark Family Crisis and enter in the explanation: COVID19, client has reached their 45-month lifetime limit.
  • All requests for an extension will continue by emailing the TA/CC processing center at GROUP E, FSD. Only those who are currently responsible for determining extension eligibility will enter the information on the COMPACT screen regarding the COVID 19 extension and will enter a comment about the action using COVID19 in the title for the comment.
  • For FSD staff information purposes – the codes being entered on the COMPACT screen by Group E for approving these Hardship Extensions are:
    • J-“Hardship extension referred to MWA” in the “Work Req Ind” field
    • Code 25-“Family Crisis” in the “extension rsn” field and
    • 06/12/2020 as the “re-evaluation Date
    • Comment – will contain COVID19 in the title to alert you that the case was approved for this extension.

Drug Testing and Drug Treatment Referrals

FSD will continue to suspend all mandatory drug testing and treatment referrals through June 30, 2020. (Refer to 2020 Memo IM-30 April 4, 2020 for additional information)

 

MWA Work Requirements

FSD will continue to suspend MWA work requirements for TA participants and waive the completion of the TA Orientation and Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP) through June 15, 2020. Any actions to reduce benefits or close for WR5 or WRF sanctions have been put on hold during the suspension. FSD referrals will continue to be sent and MWA contractors will still attempt to engage the participants. (Refer to Memo #30 04/04/20 for additional information)

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Follow above instructions starting immediately.

 

KE/plh

IM-55 ONLINE EBT PURCHASING

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  ONLINE EBT PURCHASING         

MANUAL REVISION #24

0150.035.00

0150.035.10

0150.035.20

0150.035.30

0150.035.40

0150.035.50

DISCUSSION:

Effective May 14, 2020, Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards can be used to make qualifying purchases with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved online retailers.

Currently Missouri has two retailers, Walmart and Amazon approved to accept online EBT Food Stamp purchases.

NOTE: Amazon is unable to accept Temporary Assistance transactions at this time.

Participants will need to visit the retailer website for information about signing up for online purchases, fees (if applicable) and shipping or delivery options.

NOTE: USDA requirements prohibit using Food Stamp funds to cover shipping or delivery fees.

The EBT manual section 0150.035.00 TRANSACTING THE EBT CARD is updated for clarity and to include online purchasing.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/mks/mm/ks