SUBJECT:
TERMINATION OF THE GRANDPARENTS AS FOSTER PARENTS (GAFP) PROGRAM
MANUAL REVISION # 17: SECTION 0240.000.00
DISCUSSION:
House Bill 11 (2005) did not provide funding for the Grandparents as Foster Parents (GAFP) program effective July 1, 2005. The Grandparents as Foster Parents program is subject to appropriations under RSMo 453.325. As no funds were appropriated, GAFP benefits are not available after June 30, 2005.
On June 30, 2005, GAFP cash cases will automatically close in FAMIS. GAFP supportive service only cases will be manually closed by Program and Policy. Eligibility for cash and supportive services ends June 30, 2005. In addition to the loss of eligibility for cash and supportive services, automatic eligibility for Child Care benefits ends as well. If this change affects eligibility for Child Care assistance, the participant will receive separate notification of the change to eligibility. The child(ren) will continue to receive Medicaid/MC+ healthcare coverage.
ADVERSE ACTIONS AND HEARING RIGHTS:
For cases active in FAMIS on June 4, 2005, Adverse Action Notices are being generated by FAMIS and will be mailed on June 8th, 2005. For GAFP supportive service only cases , Adverse Action Notices will be sent on June 8, 2005 by Program and Policy staff. The notice gives participants until Monday, June 20, 2005 to request a hearing. The notice specifies the date and time the hearing will be held. The hearings will be conducted Tuesday, June 28, 2005 at 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (see attached schedule for hearing times). This will allow the Hearing Unit to time to render a decision by June 30, 2005.
If the client requests a hearing on a FAMIS GAFP case, place the adverse action on hold pending the receipt of the hearing decision. Fax and mail the Application for State Hearing (IM-87) form to the Hearings Unit the same day the request is received. Notate on the IM-87 that the hearing is
concerning the change in the law eliminating GAFP benefits. 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 June 20, 2005.
Benefits continue while the hearing decision is pending. To place a FAMIS Adverse Action on hold (HOL) while the hearing is pending, type “ACTRES” or “FM50” on the command line and press enter. The last Supercase accessed appears on the screen. If this is not the Supercase you want, prompt out for or type the Supercase Number and Eligibility Unit (EU) Number. Press F18=SELAUTH to review pending adverse actions for the selected EU. Type “U” on the command line and enter “S” to select the adverse action to be changed. Prompt out for or type “HOL” in the status field and enter the date the hearing was requested in the request date field and press enter. The message successfully updated should appear.
Participants are being advised on the adverse action and closing notices that they may be eligible for the Temporary Assistance Non-Parent Caretaker Relative program. The notices instruct participants who want to explore eligibility for that program to contact the local Family Support Division office. Those who wish to apply must come to the office to make application for Temporary Assistance.
CLOTHING VOUCHERS:
Clothing vouchers given by county offices must be used by June 30, 2005 as there are no funds for GAFP supportive service benefits available after that date. Effective with this memorandum, ensure that all clothing vouchers have an expiration date of June 30, 2005. Client requests for reimbursement of supportive services via DBF 14’s should be submitted for payment as soon as possible.
PENDING APPLICATIONS AND APPROVALS AFTER JUNE 4, 2005:
Applications for GAFP can be taken through June 30, 2005. Process all GAFP applications as soon as all necessary information is available. Applications taken and approved in the month of June are eligible for benefits through June 30, 2005. All applications pending after June 30, 2005 (unless the application was taken prior to June 2, 2005) will be rejected as funding for the program ends. Applicants who applied prior to June 2, 2005, are entitled to a GAFP grant for June as the 30th day from the application date falls in June.
Effective with this memo through June 30, 2005, workers need to discuss the option of applying for GAFP, Temporary Assistance as a Non-Parent Caretaker Relative (NPCR), or both at the face-to-face interview. Comments regarding the client’s application preference are to be recorded on the EUMEMROL screen. Workers must explain that eligibility for supportive services available through GAFP continues through June 30, 2005.
If the client requests to apply for GAFP, but does not wish to apply for Temporary Assistance as a NPCR, take and process the application as follows:
Process the application as soon as all necessary verification has been provided. FAMIS will continue to send the approval/rejection notices. The notice will inform the applicant they are ineligible for July 2005 and beyond due to HB 11. Cases approved after June 4, 2005, will be closed by FAMIS effective June 30th, 2005 and no further action is required by the worker.
If the client requests to apply as a NPCR, but does not want to apply for GAFP, take and process the application in FAMIS using the current application process.
If the client requests to apply for both GAFP and Temporary Assistance as a NPCR so that eligibility for cash continues after June 30, 2005, complete the following two-day process:
- Register the GAFP application on the Application Request screen.
- When the Application Request (FA-100) is printed indicating the applicant is applying for GAFP, manually mark the box to indicate the client’s intent to apply for Temporary Assistance as a NPCR as well.
- Process the GAFP application as soon as all necessary information is provided.
- Authorize the actions to approve or reject the GAFP application.
- The next day, register the NPCR application using the date of application on which the GAFP application was registered.
- Enter the controlled flow for the NPCR application, but do not complete the flow until at least July 1st, 2005. The application must be left in the controlled flow until after the GAFP case closes on June 30, 2005 to prevent the system from rejecting the NPCR application.
- Beginning July 1, 2005, once all verification is received, process and authorize the NPCR actions in FAMIS.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with all appropriate staff.
- If a hearing is requested, place the adverse action on hold, pending receipt of the hearing decision.
TM
ATTACHMENTS:
GAFP hearing date and times listing
Sample GAFP Adverse Action letter
Sample GAFP Closing letter