Medical benefits will continue.

The reason for this decision is that State Law 208.154 and State Regulation 13 CSR 40-2.130 require the grant to be reduced when appropriated funds are not sufficient to pay the full grant.  The Legislature (in HB 11) did not appropriate funds to pay for the General Relief cash grants for August 2003 or beyond.

State office will adjust the GR grants on all cases approved through July 18, 2003.  On July 3, 2003, a notice () will be mailed to the recipients informing them of this action and their hearing rights.  (A copy of this notice is being sent to the county offices.)  If the recipient requests a hearing by July 14, 2003, the notice specifies the date and time their hearing will be held.  These hearings are scheduled for 8:00 A.M. on either July 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29 or 30, 2003.  A copy of the notice is attached to this memo.  For any hearing requests received, fax the IM-87 to the hearing officer the same day.  Ensure you notate that the hearing is concerning the GR maximum grant reduction as well as the client's specific reason for requesting the hearing.  If a claimant states that they have special needs or require other special accommodations to be able to participate in the hearing, ask the individual to call the hearing unit at 573-526-5240 by July 14, 2003.

For cases approved beginning July 2, 2003, on approval letters include the following statement: "Beginning August 2003 the grant has been reduced to $0.00 as funds were not appropriated to pay General Relief grants for any month after July 2003.  State law 208.154 RSMo."  This statement could be added in Box 4. other.

For cases approved after July 18, 2003, the system will not allow a cash grant.  The system will only allow a "T" level of care.  Cases approved for January 2003 and prior months may receive up to the maximum cash grant of $80.00 per month and a maximum grant of $70.00 per month for February 2003 through July 2003 as a retroactive payment.  On approval letters include the following statement: "Beginning August 2003 the grant has been reduced to $0.00 as funds were not appropriated to pay General Relief grants for any month after July 2003.  State law 208.154 RSMo."  This statement could be added in Box 4. other.

NOTE: A separate memorandum will be issued with instructions for processing MA-GR and MPW-GR applications approved after July 18, 2003.

For GR applications taken in July 2003 and after, process applications in the same manner as you currently do, except do not have the individual complete the IM-77 Interim Assistance Reimbursement (Authorization).  Continue to complete the IM-76 Social Security Referral as the GR applicant (if incapacity is expected to last for six months or more) is still required to apply for SSI prior to being approved for GR.  Applications taken in July 2003 and later months that are approved in August or later months are only eligible for medical benefits. 

Food Stamp Cases

We will do a mass adjustment of Food Stamp cases with General Relief income in Legacy and FAMIS in July 2003.  Supplemental benefits will be issued for August if the food stamp allotment increases.  Legacy food stamp cases with General Relief income that are converted to FAMIS after the General Relief grant adjustment and prior to the food stamp adjustment may go into the controlled flow.  Adjust the General Relief grant to the correct benefit amount when completing the controlled flow.  More detailed information regarding the food stamp mass adjustment will be given at a later time.

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff immediately.

• Use the new maximum GR cash grant of $0.00 for August 2003 and after.