SUBJECT:
BUDGETING TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE RECOUPMENT FOR FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
MANUAL REVISION #14
1115.015.60
DISCUSSION:
This memorandum is to clarify policy and introduce FAMIS procedures for budgeting income from the Temporary Assistance (TA) program when the TA grant is reduced to pay an overpayment. This reduction (recoupment) is not considered when determining eligibility for food stamp benefits. The reason for the claim does not affect the decision to budget the recoupment.
NOTE: Upon review, if it is determined that the Temporary Assistance recoupment amount was budgeted as income when determining food stamp benefits, complete a budget on the Worker Initiated Budget Calculations Area (SELWIBCA) screen. Restore benefits up to twelve months back, if eligible.
For food stamp cases whose TA benefits are paid and recouped in LEGACY, enter the TA grant after recoupment on the Income (FMX0) screen. Do not budget the recoupment as RP (REDUCTION-REFUSAL TO COMPLY WITH PROGRAM REQ).
For food stamp cases whose TA benefits are paid and recouped in FAMIS, the system automatically budgets the Temporary Assistance income after recoupment to determine eligibility for food stamp benefits. For TA eligibility units in FAMIS, the system makes the following determinations, as outlined below, on the TA recoupment and Food Stamp eligibility determinations.
TA Recoupment Amount at Conversion
The amount of recoupment in LEGACY continues to be deducted from the TA grant when the EU is converted to FAMIS. That amount of recoupment in LEGACY will be deducted from the TA grant in FAMIS until a regular monthly payroll, or a daily payroll is run.
When the payroll is run, FAMIS completes a food stamp budget using the FAMIS TA grant after recoupment. FAMIS completes a food stamp eligibility determination the first day after payroll and generates a notice to the EU.
Temporary Assistance Active or Approved in FAMIS
The Temporary Assistance recoupment is calculated at payroll. If TA recoupment stops, starts or changes, FAMIS completes a food stamp budget using the TA grant after the recoupment. A food stamp eligibility determination is run by the system the first day after payroll and a notice to the EU is generated.
Pending food stamp Authorization when TA recoupment is calculated
If the Temporary Assistance recoupment stops, starts, or changes while a food stamp EU is in AUP (Authorization Pending) status due to a pending adverse action period, a conflict of actions is created when the eligibility determination is run. The status of the new action is RTA (Ready to Authorize) and the alert “OUTSTANDING ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION” is generated. Resolve the conflict of actions following normal procedures
Food Stamp Manual section 1115.015.60 Recoupment Payments is updated to include this clarification.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
- Consider the Temporary Assistance grant minus recoupment amount on the food stamp budget.
- If it is determined the Temporary Assistance recoupment amount has been budgeted for food stamp benefits, complete a budget and restore benefits up to twelve months back, if eligible.