M E M O R A N D U M

IM-219 12/17/01  EXPEDITED ELIGIBILITY FOR FOOD STAMP RECERTIFICATIONS
FOOD STAMP MANUAL REVISION #56
SECTION 1125.005.00
SECTION 1125.010.00
SECTION 1125.015.00
SECTION 1125.020.00
SECTION 1125.030.00
SECTION 1135.035.20
FORMS MANUAL REVISION #36
FS-1 APPENDIX A


SUBJECT:
EXPEDITED ELIGIBILITY FOR FOOD STAMP RECERTIFICATIONS
FOOD STAMP MANUAL REVISION #56
SECTION 1125.005.00
SECTION 1125.010.00
SECTION 1125.015.00
SECTION 1125.025.00
SECTION 1125.030.00
SECTION 1135.035.20
FORMS MANUAL REVISION #36
FS-1 APPENDIX A
 
DISCUSSION:
Effective January 1, 2002, screen only initial applications including second month applications for expedited service eligibility.  Applications for recertification made before the end of the current certification period do not qualify for expedited service.  Recertification applications made prior to January 1, 2002 may qualify for and receive expedited benefits.

All applications will need to be entered through FEXP.  Use the following procedures:

Initial/second month applications
    The application process has not changed.  Complete the Expedited Services screening portion of the FS-1/IM-2 and enter all appropriate information on FEXP.

    Recertifications 

    As we are approaching the target date for moving the Food Stamp Program to FAMIS, minimal Legacy programming changes have been made to FEXP to not allow recertifications to be coded as eligible for expedited service.  For recertifications taken January 1, 2002 or later, the Expedited Services screening portion of the FS-1/IM-2 does not require completion.

    It is not necessary to enter all fields on FEXP for recertifications.  Type FEXP, the DCN, and the application date.  When the enter key is pressed, the case name and status displays, and the following fields are automatically populated, as noted:
     

    • PREVIOUS POSTPONED VERIFICATION(Y/N/V): N

      •  
    • SECOND MONTH:  N

      •  
    • QUALIFIED FOR EXPEDITED SERVICE:  N

      •  
    • DOES NOT MEET EXPEDITED CRITERIA:  X
These fields cannot be accessed or changed for recertifications.  If a recertification application has previously postponed verification, the "P" or "T" will be displayed on FCAS and Field 7 of FSU5.  When recertifying the case, enter zero ("0") in Field 7 of FSU5, as the current application does not involve expedited services.
    Type information in the following fields on FEXP:
     
    • PAY COUNTY, 

      •  
    • CASELOAD, 

      •  
    • SUPERVISOR NUMBER, and 

      •  
    • WORKER NUMBER.
The information from the FS-1 is not used on FEXP for recertifications.  To minimize the amount of data that must be entered, do not make entries in the shelter expense, income, and resources fields.  Because no entries are made in these fields, entries in the following fields must be as indicated. 
    Example: Because no entry is made in the "INCOME" field, the code entered in the "INCOME LESS THAN $150" field must be "Y".
     
    • HOUSEHOLD DISQUALIFIED:  Y OR N
    • CASH/SAVINGS FOR MIGRANT/SEASONAL FARMWORKER IS $100 OR 

      • LESS:  N
       
    • INCOME LESS THAN $150:  Y, and

      •  
    • RESOURCES ARE $100 OR LESS:  Y
Failure to use the indicated codes will require additional data entry in the shelter expense, income, and resources fields.
    Press the enter key to add the FEXP information.  Continue as for any other application that does not qualify for expedited service.
The FS-1B is in the process of being revised.  Until that time, in the section "Can you get expedited (emergency) food stamps?", line through the sentence that states "If you are making a reapplication, and you qualify for expedited services, your food stamp benefits will be available on the first day of the next month."  Because only initial and second month applications qualify for expedited service, mark the "Other" box, and in the reason section, write "This is not an initial application."

Food Stamp Manual revisions are attached.  Section 1125.010.10 Timely/Non-Timely Recertification is removed.

In addition, the following sections are placed online, but revisions related to other policy changes within these sections are being made.  Section 1125.020.10 Timely Reapplication is removed. The printed version will be included with those revisions. 

  • 1125.020.15           Non-Timely Recertifications and 2nd Month Screenings
  • 1125.020.25           Expedited Eligibility Due To Reported Change
  • 1130.020.00           Recertifications
  • 1130.020.10          Non-Timely Recertifications
  • 1130.020.20          Recertification Denials
The Forms Manual FS-1, Appendix A instructions are revised to include FEXP procedures for recertifications. 

The FFSMT582-04 Food Stamp Expedited Currency Report is modified to remove the category for recertifications.  The January report for December applications is not affected.
 
NECESSARY ACTION:
  • Discuss this memorandum with all appropriate staff.
  • Do not provide expedited services to recertification applications.
  • Make the appropriate changes on the form FS-1B.
  • File the revised manual pages in the hard copy of the Food Stamp Manual.
  • File the revised Forms Manual pages in the hard copy of the Forms Manual.
MRT
Distribution #6
Attachment
[ Memorandum Table of Contents ]
IM-218