M E M O R A N D U M

IM-164  12/18/03  STRATEGIES OF SUCCESS FOR 2004


 
SUBJECT:
STRATEGIES OF SUCCESS FOR 2004
DISCUSSION:
Missouri's combined (overpayment and underpayment) food stamp error rate for fiscal year (FY) 2002 is 9.77 percent.  The national average payment error rate is 8.26 percent.  States whose combined error rate exceeds the national average are subject to a liability.  Missouri has a liability of $1,299,046 based on our performance for FY 2002.

We accepted an option to settle the FY 2002 liability by agreeing to:

  • Invest 50 percent of the liability amount in activities to improve program operations.
  • Repay the remaining 50 percent of the liability amount contingent upon the level of payment accuracy that Missouri achieves during the period beginning October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2005.
In order to meet the terms of our agreement with the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the agency responsible for administration of the Food Stamp Program, we must improve our payment accuracy for FY 2004.  We must have an error rate that is less than or equal to the national average for FY 2004.  Currently Missouri has an error rate of 6.5 percent for FY 2003.

The national average is 6.35 percent currently for FY 2003.  The FY 2003 QC review process is not complete but the indication is that our error rate will exceed the national average.  Using FY 2003 as a guide we must try to achieve an error rate of 5.5 percent for FY 2004.

The Strategies of Success (SOS) for FY 2004 is available on the Intranet.  The SOS identifies payment accuracy problem areas and planned activities to address these problem areas.  Review the SOS to identify corrective actions that may need to be implemented in your county to help us achieve our goal of 94.5 percent payment accuracy in FY 2004.  Discuss the SOS with staff and stress:

  • the value of using all available tools,
  • the importance of correct application of policy,
  • how critical good interviewing is to payment accuracy and
  • using FAMIS to the greatest advantage by correctly entering data and allowing the system to work as programmed.
Access the SOS by clicking onFood Stamp Unit under Income Maintenance on the Employee Intranet.  Click on Strategies of Success pdf file under QA/QC.

Each region must set a goal of 94.5 percent Food Stamp Program payment accuracy and develop a plan of how to achieve that goal.

Submit the regional plan to Jody Cornwell by January 15, 2004.
NECESSARY ACTION:
  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
JC
IM-163
[ 2003 Memorandums ]
IM-165