MEMORANDUM
2005 Memorandums
IM-102      09/01/05

SUBJECT:

OCTOBER BENEFIT ADJUSTMENT
FOOD STAMP MANUAL REVISION #32

1105.015.00
1115.035.05
1115.099.00
1115.035.25
1115.035.25.05
1115.035.25.06
1130.099.00
Food Stamp Basis of Issuance Tables

DISCUSSION:

The weekend of September 3, 2005, the October food stamp mass adjustments will occur. This memorandum addresses the following issues related to the mass adjustments:

Increased Allotments, Maximums, and Deductions

The following changes are made during the mass adjustment.

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 2005 budgets effective September 3, 2005. While the updates are being completed, FAMIS will be in inquiry mode only and no actions can be taken until September 6, 2005.

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.

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 on September 23, 2005, the Payment History (FM5F) screen will display 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”. The pending adverse action must be voided, per Memorandum IM-#99 dated September 24, 2004. The worker can access the Action Resolution screen (FM50 or ACTRES) to void the first adverse actions. Refer to the user guide Changing an Adverse Action Status for instructions. After the adverse action is voided, 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.

During the mass adjustment, FAMIS sets the status to PEN (Pending) for the case until the worker enters an acceptable form of verification and the worker receives the alert “Action Not Authorized”.

If no action is taken by the worker, FAMIS will send an FA-510 Adverse Action notice to reduce the benefits as the unacceptable verification code has not been resolved. Take the following actions to correct these cases.

Review the case file. If the verification is provided, change the verification code determination. If the verification is not provided, complete the steps below to request verification:

Notices

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

EUs that are to be closed or with an allotment that decreases will receive an FA-510 Adverse Action notice, for changes effective for October 2005. The notice informs EUs of the following:

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:

IM-4FS Eat for Health

The IM-4FS Eat for Health is being revised. Staff will be notified when the new version is available.

NECESSARY ACTION:

JRL/KO/BJK/NY

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