IM-84      08/31/06

SUBJECT:

OCTOBER BENEFIT ADJUSTMENT
FOOD STAMP MANUAL REVISION #21
1105.015.00
1115.035.05
1115.099.00
1115.035.25
1115.035.25.15
1130.099.00
Food Stamp Basis of Issuance Tables

DISCUSSION:

The weekend of September 2, 2006, the October food stamp mass adjustments will occur. This memorandum addresses the following issues related to the mass adjustments:

• Increased Allotments, Maximums, and Deductions;
• Update Process;
• Decreased Benefits or Case Closings;
• Conflict of Actions;
• Cases not Adjusted;
• Notices;
• FBCA; and
• Manual Revisions.

Increased Allotments, Maximums, and Deductions

The following changes are made during the mass adjustment:

• the food stamp allotments are increased;
  
  
• the gross (130% of FPL) and net income maximums are increased;
  
  
• the standard deduction is increased to $139 for EUs with four members, $162 for EUs with five members, and $186 for EUs with six or more members;
  
  
• the non-heating/cooling standard (NHCS) is increased to $138;
  
  
• the excess shelter expense maximum for EUs without an elderly/disabled member is increased to $417; and
  
  
• the 165% of FPL maximums are increased. These maximums are used to determine if an EUs whose members are elderly, live with others, and are unable to purchase and prepare food due to a disability, are eligible as separate EUs for food stamp benefits. The manual is updated with the new chart. Refer to 1105.015.00 to review the chart.

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 2006 budgets effective September 2, 2006. While the updates are being completed, FAMIS will be in inquiry mode only and no actions can be taken until September 5, 2006.

After the eligibility determination is run during the mass adjustments, the eligibility specialists can see the following actions on cases active in FAMIS, depending on the action taken during mass adjustments:

• if the benefits are increased, the EU Action Log (FM40) displays the action INCR, action date of September 2, 2006, and the benefit month 102006;
  
  
• if there is no change to the benefits, the EU Action Log (FM40) displays the action NOCH, action date September 2, 2006, and the benefit month 102006; and
  
  
• if there is a decrease in benefits or a closing, the EU Action Log (FM40) displays the action AABR for a reduction and AACL for a closing, action date September 2, 2006, and the benefit month 102006. For more information regarding EUs whose benefits decrease or cases close, refer to the Decreased Benefits or Case Closings section of this memorandum.

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 22, 2006, 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.

An FA-510 Adverse Action notice 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 eligibility specialist 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 eligibility specialist 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 eligibility specialist to take an action. When the eligibility specialist completes the appropriate action, the case will be automatically adjusted.

• Expedited EUs that are active with postponed verification (APV status).
  
  
• Any EU with an incomplete eligibility determination, such as a change is entered but the eligibility determination resolution is not run or there is insufficient data (ISD).
  
  
• Any EU in the controlled flow.
  
  FAMIS sets food stamp only EUs in recertification application controlled flow to RTA status on the EU Action Log (FM40). However, FAMIS does not authorize these actions. The eligibility specialist must complete the controlled flow and authorize actions as normal. FAMIS does not adjust combination food stamp EUs in the controlled flow. When the eligibility specialist completes the controlled flow, the correct determination is made.
  
  
• An unacceptable or blank verification code is entered for a program element.
  
  EXAMPLE: The Income Amount (FMX3) screen has a blank verification code for income.
  
  During the mass adjustment, FAMIS sets the status to PEN (Pending) for the case until the eligibility specialist enters an acceptable form of verification. The eligibility specialist receives the alert “Action Not Authorized”.
  
  If no action is taken by the eligibility specialist, FAMIS will send an FA-510 Adverse Action notice to reduce or close as appropriate, as the unacceptable or blank 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, run an Eligibility Determination Resolution screen (FM3Y or EDRES) and authorize the action. If the verification is not provided or requested, complete the steps below to request verification.
    
    
  • Type OUTVERF on the command line and press enter. The Outstanding Verification screen is displayed.
    
    
  • Select the outstanding verification, press F23=PRINT.
    
    
  • Press F17=DOCQUE. The FA-325 Request of Information appears with RDPRT (ready to print).
    
    
  • Tab to the FA-325, type “P” on the Com line and press F23=PRNT. The FA-325 Request of Information is printed locally.
    
    
  • Mail the FA-325 to the client to request the verification.
    
    
  • Once verification is received, update FAMIS with the verification and complete an eligibility determination.

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:

• the issuance amounts, deductions, excess shelter maximum and utility standard have increased, and
  
  
• their food stamp allotment for October.

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 2006. The notice informs EUs of the following:

• the issuance amounts, deductions, and excess shelter maximum have increased; and
  
  
• the cumulative effect the mass adjustment changes, changes previously disregarded, or current changes have on the food stamp allotment for October.

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:

• updating the excess shelter maximum for non-elderly/disabled EUs (Section 1115.035.25);
  
  
• the standard deduction (Section 1115.035.05);
  
  
• updating the 130% of FPL table (Section 1115.099.00 and the 165% of FPL table (Section 1105.015.00); and
  
  
• updating the non-heating/cooling standard (Section 1115.035.25.15).
  
  

The following charts are revised on the Intranet:

• Food Stamp Program Changes Flyer ;
• Simplified Reporting Requirements ;
• Standards History Chart ;
• Food Stamp Basis of Issuance Tables; and
• Manually Calculating A Food Stamp Budget .

IM-4FS Eat for Health

The IM-4FS Eat for Health pamphlet has been revised to reflect the October 2006 changes. An initial distribution is being sent to the county offices. Upon receipt, destroy/recycle all versions of the brochure with a revision date prior to 09/06. The pamphlet will be available in the Forms Manual on the Intranet soon. The revised pamphlet will also be available on the Internet for individuals who access the site to read about the Food Stamp Program.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

JRL/KO/BJK