| TO: | ALL COUNTY OFFICES |
| FROM: | JANEL R. LUCK, DIRECTOR |
| SUBJECT: | FOOD STAMP EXPEDITED SERVICE FOOD STAMP MANUAL REVISION #18 1105.015.15 1120.015.00 1125.000.00 1125.005.00 1125.010.00 1125.010.05 1125.010.10 1125.015.00 1125.017.00 1125.020.05 1125.020.15 1125.020.20 1125.025.00 1125.030.00 1130.005.00 |
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify when to enter the discovery date for expedited service benefits when the date of discovery is different from the application date. The discovery date is the date an application is found eligible for expedited benefits.
FAMIS determines eligibility for expedited service during the interview process and enters the date of discovery on the Action Authorization (FM3H) screen when the APEX (approval for expedited) is in RTA (ready to authorize) status on the same day as the date of application. When the date of discovery is different from the application date, the Date of Discovery field on the Action Authorization (FM3H) screen must be reviewed and a valid date entered.
This can occur in the following situations:
- When the interview and the controlled flow are not completed on the same day the application is received.
EXAMPLE: The eligibility specialist receives a mail-in application from Mrs. A on January 3. The eligibility specialist is unable to reach Mrs. A by telephone on January 3 and sends an IM-31 Appointment Letter to Mrs. A scheduling an interview for January 6. The eligibility specialist interviews Mrs. A on January 6, and determines she is eligible for expedited benefits. The eligibility specialist verifies Mrs. A's identity and completes the controlled flow. The eligibility specialist would enter January 6 as the date of discovery on the Action Authorization (FM3H) screen.
- When the EU reports a change on a pending application that affects the eligibility for expedited service for the month the application was originally screened for expedited services.
EXAMPLE: Mr. C completes an initial food stamp application on March 1, and the interview does not indicate the EU qualifies expedited eligibility. Mr. C's application is pending for verification of income. On March 15, Mr. C reports he was laid off and will receive only one check in March. The eligibility specialist verifies the new information, enters the information on the appropriate FAMIS screens, and runs a new eligibility determination (EDRES). Mr. C qualifies for expedited benefits with the new information he provided. The eligibility specialist would enter March 15, as the date of discovery on the Action Authorization (FM3H) screen.
The message “Expedited Issuance-Check Discovery Date” appears on the Action Authorization (FM3H) screen to alert the eligibility specialist to check the discovery date prior to authorizing the action. When no entry is made in the Date of Discovery field, the authorization date is other than the date of application, and the eligibility specialist tries to authorize the action, the message “Invalid Discovery Date” displays. Enter the correct date of discovery and authorize the action.
The Food Stamp Manual sections discussing expedited services are revised. The revision includes this clarification, formatting changes, and adding procedures. The following items were clarified or added.
- Procedures on contacting another state to verify when the EU members last received or will receive benefits from another state were added to 1105.015.15 Duplicate Participation.
The eligibility specialist needs to contact the other state the same day the application is completed to ensure duplicate participation does not occur. If the eligibility specialist is unable to contact the state, expedited benefits will be issued based on the information provided by the applicant during the interview.
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Food Stamp Manual 1120.015.00 Expedited Service Applications is renamed and clarifies only initial application including second month applications are screened for expedited service eligibility.
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Food Stamp Manual 1125.000.00 Expedited Service instructs staff to review the Action Authorization (FM3H) screen to ensure the correct discovery date is entered prior to authorizing the benefits.
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Food Stamp Manual 1125.017.00 Mail-in or Faxed Applications is added to include procedures on entering the date of discovery on mail-in or faxed applications.
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A procedure guide Timely Delivery of Expedited Food Stamp Benefits is developed to clarify expedited procedures and to assist staff in entering the date of discovery for expedited services.
The guide may be accessed from the Intranet through these manual sections or by completing the following steps:
go to Family Support Division (FSD) Intranet site;
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click Food Stamps;
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click Procedural Guides under Quick Links; and
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click Timely Delivery of Expedited Food Stamp Benefits.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.