SUBJECT:
REVISED FOOD STAMP EVACUEE POLICY FOR HURRICANE RITA AND TEXAS CONTACT NUMBERS
DISCUSSION:
Effective September 28, 2005, individuals who evacuated from their home states due to Hurricane Rita are no longer subject to the Evacuee Policy implemented for Hurricane Katrina. Continue to use living arrangement code NR to identify Hurricane Rita evacuees. States must continue to report evacuees and food stamp applications for evacuees to the Federal government. Certify individuals who evacuated due to Hurricane Rita under normal food stamp processing rules.
- EUs with code NR can continue to be at the same supercase as other EUs. However, separate EU status for Hurricane Rita evacuees under the Evacuee Policy for Hurricane Katrina does not apply. Parents and their children, individuals who purchase and prepare together, and other mandatory EU members must be part of the same EU.
- EUs evacuated for Hurricane Rita are not entitled to a full month's un-prorated allotment for the month of application based on zero income or resources. Enter the individual's circumstances in FAMIS and authorize the allotment the individual is normally entitled to receive.
- Do not accept client statement on income, resources, or access to the income or resources.
- Verify if the individual has received benefits for the current month in Texas or Louisiana prior to authorizing benefits in Missouri.
- Evacuees from Hurricane Rita will be assigned normal certification periods and will be subject to normal reporting requirements based on their EU circumstances according to current Food Stamp Policy.
- If the EU plans to return before the Texas benefit case can be closed, advise the individual that the Texas EBT card works in Missouri. If the EU lost the card, the individual can call 1-800-777-7328 to request a replacement.
Texas has provided the following contact numbers.
- To verify Texas benefits, call 512-438-3280 or 877-787-8999.
- To obtain verification in writing, fax the request to 512-491-1967.
- To report a missing Texas EBT card, call 800-777-7328.
The FOOD STAMP GUIDANCE ON VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA is revised to include Evacuee Policy for Hurricane Katrina only.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.