M E M O R A N D U M

IM-162  09/04/01  PENDING CLAIM REFERRAL TIMELINESS


SUBJECT:
PENDING CLAIM REFERRAL TIMELINESS
 
DISCUSSION:
Memorandum IM-#144 implemented a new process to register, track, and establish food stamp overpayments in the Claims Accounting and Restitution System (CARS).  Claims discovered prior to August 6, 2001, which are not yet established, must be registered in the discovery/tracking system.  For claims discovered prior to August 6, 2001, if the date of discovery is not known, use the date the claim was referred for processing.

Staff must make all possible effort to find a case file and establish a claim on any overpayment discovered.  This may include contacting counties where an individual previously received food stamps.  The claim must be established if an overpayment exists.

We recognize that some of the claims referred will be delinquent upon entry.  Ninety percent of discovery claim referrals must be processed timely to be in compliance with federal regulations.  Each worker receives a Weekly Pending Discovery Claim Referral to track discoveries. 

A quarterly report, Delinquent Discovery Claim Referral Report (Report Number FCLQT500-01), will be generated for supervisory staff to monitor timeliness.  Use these reports to identify delinquent claim referrals.  Each county must develop a plan to complete overdue claim referrals in order to be at least 90% timely in processing claim referrals by December 31, 2001.
 
NECESSARY ACTION:
  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff. 
  • Register food stamp overpayments discovered prior to August 6, 2001, in CARS using the original date the overpayment was discovered. 
  •  Use all possible efforts to locate a case file and establish a claim on all overpayments discovered. · Develop a plan to process overdue claim referrals by 12/31/01.
NEY
Distribution #6
[ Memorandum Table of Contents ]
IM-161
 IM-163