SUBJECT:
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE REINVESTIGATIONS
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE MANUAL REVISION #4: SECTION 0220.015.00, REINVESTIGATIONS; 0220.015.05, POSSIBLE REINVESTIGATIONS/ CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES; 0220.015.10, SERVICE REFERRALS
DISCUSSION:
Current policy requires Temporary Assistance reinvestigations (for all subprograms) be conducted on an annual basis. The reinvestigation process is changed for Temporary Assistance (TA) households with an active food stamp Eligibility Unit (EU). In the Medical Assistance for Families (MAF) and other Medicaid programs, staff have been allowed to use outside information such as food stamp applications to complete the reinvestigation. To more closely align TA policy with the MAF policy, TA reinvestigations can be completed when a food stamp application or recertification is completed and all TA household members are included in the food stamp EU.
Temporary Assistance reinvestigations can be completed:
- by mailing the reinvestigation forms annually, or
- at food stamp application or recertification.
Mailed Reinvestigations
If the annual reinvestigation cannot be completed using information from a food stamp application/recertification, the Eligibility Reinvestigation form must be completed. The Changes You Must Report (IM-3) form is not required to be completed for a reinvestigation. For cases processed in FAMIS, the system automatically sends the reinvestigation form to the participant if the household does not receive food stamp benefits and/or the reinvestigation was not completed at food stamp application or recertification. The IM-3 is not required to be completed for cases processed in FAMIS; the information from the form has been incorporated into the approval letter.
A face-to-face interview is not required to be completed for reinvestigations. If information provided on the reinvestigation form is questionable, an interview may be conducted by phone or in-person.
When completing a reinvestigation, a new budget, income documentation and eligibility determination are to be recorded in the Temporary Assistance section of the case record.
At Food Stamp Application or Recertification
A Temporary Assistance reinvestigation can be completed using information from the food stamp application or recertification when all TA household members are part of the food stamp EU. When a reinvestigation of this type occurs, completion of the reinvestigation form is not required.
When completing a Temporary Assistance reinvestigation on a case processed in Legacy, a new budget, income documentation and eligibility determination are to be recorded in the Temporary Assistance section of the case record.
When completing a Temporary Assistance reinvestigation on a case processed in FAMIS, the system ensures that the Temporary Assistance EU members are all included in the food stamp EU. If there is a match, FAMIS evaluates all the information entered into the system and re-determines eligibility for Temporary Assistance. If the Temporary Assistance EU continues to be eligible for assistance, FAMIS generates a “REIN” action and updates the reinvestigation date in the system.
User Guide
The Completing a Temporary Assistance Reinvestigation in FAMIS User Guide is developed to assist staff with processing reinvestigations in FAMIS.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.