FOOD STAMP MANUAL REVISION # 21

1105.015.00
1115.035.05
1115.099.00
1130.099.00 APPENDIX A

• Increased Allotments, Maximums, and Deductions;
• Update Process;
• Decreased Benefits or Case Closings;
• Conflict of Actions;
• Cases not Adjusted;
• Notices;
• FBCA; and
• Manual Revision.

Increased Allotments, Maximums, and Deductions

The following changes are made during the mass adjustment:

• The food stamp allotments are increased.
• The gross (130% of FPL) and net income maximums are increased.
• The standard deduction is increased to $153 for EUs with five members and $175 for EUs with six or more members.
• The excess shelter expense maximum for EUs without an elderly/disabled member is increased to $388.
• The 165% of FPL maximums are increased. These maximums are used to determine if EUs whose members are elderly, live with others, and are unable to purchase and prepare food due to a disability, are eligible as a separate EU for food stamp benefits. The manual is updated with the new chart. Refer to 1105.015.00 to review the chart.

Update Process

The Food Stamp Budget Summary (FM4A) and the Worker Initiated Budget Calculation Area - WIBCA (FMXN) are updated with the new amounts for October 2004 budgets effective September 11, 2004. While the updates are being completed, FAMIS will be in inquiry mode only and no actions can be taken until September 13, 2004.

After the eligibility determination is run during the mass adjustments, workers can see the following actions on cases active in FAMIS, depending on the action taken during mass adjustments.

• If the benefits are increased, the EU Action Log (FM40) displays the action INCR, action date of September 11, 2004, and the benefit month 102004.
• If there is no change to the benefits, the EU Action Log (FM40) displays the action NOCH, action date September 11, 2004, and the benefit month 102004.
• If there is a decrease in benefits or a closing, the EU Action Log (FM40) displays the action AABR for a reduction and AACL for a closing, action date September 11, 2004, and the benefit month 102004. For more information regarding EUs whose benefits decrease or cases close, refer to the Decreased Benefits or Case Closings section of this memorandum.

The reason field on the Action Authorization (FM3H) screen displays TUA - Table Update Adjustments (system) for the mass adjustments. To inquire why an action is taken, on the EU Action Log (FM40), select the action and press F17=INQAUTH. The Action Authorization screen appears. Press F19=REASON. The reason code and the code description appear. After payroll close, the Payment History (FM5F) screen displays the appropriate allotment for each EU.

Decreased Benefits or Case Closings

Some EUs will receive adverse actions to decrease their benefits or close their case after the mass adjustments. This will happen if the EU is subject to simplified reporting and there are disregarded changes in FAMIS. As the mass adjustment is considered a change that must be acted on, and all cases are required to be adjusted to accurately reflect deductions and benefit amounts, all information known to FAMIS at the time of the mass adjustment is used to determine eligibility. There will be no 10 day waiting period prior to authorization of the adverse action, as this is a change that must not be disregarded.

A notice of adverse action (FA-510) will be sent to the EU notifying them of the proposed reduction or closing action.

Conflict of Actions

FAMIS adjusts active cases even if the case has a pending adverse action. However, this results in a conflict of actions. The worker receives the alerts “Action Not Authorized” and “Adverse Action Needs Resolving”. County staff must resolve the conflict of actions rather than allowing FAMIS to resolve the actions, in order to ensure the EU receives the correct allotment for October 2004. The worker can access the Action Resolution screen (FM50 or ACTRES) to resolve the actions. The worker must void the pending adverse action. Refer to the user guide Changing an Adverse Action Status for instructions. After voiding the adverse action, the worker must access the Eligibility Determination Resolution screen (FM3Y or EDRES) to run a new eligibility determination. If the action is a benefit reduction or closing, authorize the new adverse action.

Cases Not Adjusted

The cases listed below are not adjusted during the mass change. The cases are either pending applications or pending changes that require the worker to take an action. When the worker completes the appropriate action, the case will be automatically adjusted.

• Expedited EUs that are active with postponed verification (APV status).
• Any EU with an incomplete eligibility determination, such as a change is entered but the eligibility determination resolution is not run or there is insufficient data (ISD).
• Any EU in the controlled flow. FAMIS shows actions set to RTA status on the EU Action Log (FM40) for cases in the controlled flow. However, FAMIS does not authorize these actions. The worker must complete the controlled flow and authorize actions as normal.

Notices

All EUs with an allotment that increases or does not change are sent a Claimant Action Notice (FA-150). The notice informs EUs of the following:

• the issuance amounts, deductions, and excess shelter maximum have increased, and
• their food stamp allotment for October.

EUs that are to be closed or with an allotment that decreases will receive an adverse action notice, for changes effective for October 2004. The notice informs EUs of the following:

• the issuance amounts, deductions, and excess shelter maximum have increased, and
• the cumulative effect the mass adjustment changes, changes previously disregarded, or current changes have on the food stamp allotment for October.

Staff may view the notices on the Document Queue (FMVM) screen.

FBCA

FBCA is not updated with the new information. If a claim is being calculated for an overpayment that begins prior to 10/2000, use FBCA to determine the correct allotments for the months prior to 10/2000. Use WIBCA to determine the correct allotments for 10/2000 and later. If FBCA is used for 10/2003 and later, it will show incorrect allotments.

Manual Revision

The Food Stamp Manual is revised online. The revisions include:

• updating the excess shelter maximum for non-elderly/disabled EUs, the standard deduction; and
• updating the 130% of FPL table and the 165% of FPL table.

The following charts are revised on the Intranet:

• the Food Stamp Program Changes Flyer;
• the Simplified Reporting Requirements; and
• the Food Stamp Basis of Issuance Tables.

The revised IM-4FS Eat for Health is being printed and will be available soon.

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.