MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

Effective December 22, 2008, changes are made to the process for ending METP sanctions in FAMIS. The types of sanctions affected by this change are DJP (direct job placement), MTP (METP non-compliance), NFF (non-compliance with TA work requirements), RTT (refused employment and training), SWR (sanction work registration), VJQ (voluntary job quit), WER (work effort reduction), and WRC (failed to register for employment).

The changes include:

• FAMIS allows the entry of a sanction end date that is prior to the sanction start date on the Sanction/Disqualification (FMAM) screen; and
• FAMIS determines the eligibility and benefit issuance from the date of application for initial applications when compliance occurs within the 30 day application timeframe and the individual has served the mandatory sanction period. Eligibility specialist (ES) staff no longer have to complete a WIBCA for the first month of the certification.

This memorandum will address the policy and process for ending METP sanctions.

CHANGE TO THE SANCTION/DISQUALIFICATION (FMAM) SCREEN

The Sanction/Disqualification (FMAM) screen is changed to allow the entry of a compliance date that is earlier than the sanction start date. It is no longer necessary to enter a compliance date that is later than the start date. When verification is received a sanctioned individual complied, enter the reason and compliance date on the Sanction/Disqualification (FMAM) screen. FAMIS populates the sanction end date.

EXAMPLE: Mr. A is a member of an active EU and he failed to respond to a call-in to the Division of Workforce Development (DWD) on 11/04/2008. Mr. A did not contact his ES during the conciliation or adverse action period and was sanctioned from the Food Stamp case. His sanction will begin on 01/01/2009. On 12/15/2008, he contacts his ES and states he wishes to comply. The ES re-refers him to DWD by entering a 25 on the Employment Assessment (EMPLOY or FMMS) screen and giving him an IM-311. Mr. A complies on 12/15/2008 and DWD sends the verification to the ES. The ES enters 12/15/2008 as the compliance date and reason CWP (compliance with policy) on the Sanction/Disqualification (SANDISQ or FMAM) screen. FAMIS populates the end date as 122008 and determines benefits for the EU including Mr. A for the month of January 2009. The start date remains 012009.

BENEFIT ISSUANCE WHEN A FOOD STAMP SANCTION IS ENDED

There is no change to applications pending for compliance. Sanctioned individuals continue to pend for verification of compliance until they comply, the end of the certification, or the 30th day.

Initial Applications

The policy and process for determining benefits at an initial application for sanctioned EU members are changed. Previously, when an individual was sanctioned and reapplied for Food Stamp benefits, then complied during the 30 day application period, FAMIS would fail the individual on the first month of application and the ES would give benefits back to the date of application via WIBCA.

Effective December 22, 2008, FAMIS determines the benefit amount back to the date of application in these instances, as long as the mandatory sanction period has already been served. FAMIS no longer determines the sanctioned individual ineligible through the end of the month in which they comply and the ES is no longer required to complete the WIBCA.

NOTE: Do not delete a sanction when the EU does not contact the eligibility specialist prior to the expiration of the Adverse Action. End this sanction because it needs to be counted as a sanction.

EXAMPLE: Mr. W was sanctioned for MTP non-compliance in February 2009. This is his first sanction. Mr. W reapplied for Food Stamp benefits on April 28, 2009. He was re-referred to DWD and complied on May 2, 2009. Mr. W's benefits are determined from the date of application, April 28, 2009.

When a sanctioned individual is serving his/her second or third sanction, s/he remains ineligible for Food Stamp benefits for the duration of the mandatory sanction period even though s/he may comply prior to the end of the sanction.

EXAMPLE: Ms. J is sanctioned for MTP non-compliance starting in December 2008. This is her second sanction and she is required to serve at least a mandatory three month sanction. Ms. J reapplies for Food Stamp benefits for herself and her family on December 15, 2008, and agrees to comply. Ms. J complied with DWD on December 29, 2008. The eligibility specialist enters CWP in the reason field and 12/29/2008 in the compliance date field on the Sanction/Disqualification (SANDISQ or FMAM) screen. FAMIS enters 022009 (third month of the mandatory sanction period) in the end date field. FAMIS determines Ms. J is ineligible for December 2008, January 2009, and February 2009 benefits. The rest of the EU is approved for benefits for six months. In February 2009, FAMIS restores Ms. J to the Food Stamp case effective March 1, 2009.

Non-timely Applications

When a sanctioned individual makes a non-timely reapplication for Food Stamp benefits, the application pends for compliance for 30 days. FAMIS determines the benefit amount back to the first day of the new certification period when the individual complies within the 30 day timeframe and it is the first sanction or the individual has already served the mandatory sanction period.

If the individual is serving his/her second or third sanction, s/he remains ineligible for Food Stamp benefits as mentioned in the initial applications section above.

Timely Applications

When a sanctioned individual makes a timely reapplication for Food Stamp benefits, the application pends for compliance until the end of the current certification period. FAMIS determines the benefit amount back to the first day of the new certification period when the individual complies before the end of the current certification period and it is the first sanction or the individual has already served the mandatory sanction period,

If the individual is serving his/her second or third sanction, s/he remains ineligible for Food Stamp benefits as mentioned in the initial applications section above.

Active Cases

When a sanctioned individual is included (IC role) on an active Food Stamp case and wishes to comply, the ES re-refers the individual in the same way as if it was an application. If the individual complies and it is the first sanction or the individual has already served the mandatory sanction period, FAMIS determines the benefit amount starting with the month following the compliance date.

If the individual is serving his/her second or third sanction, s/he remains ineligible for Food Stamp benefits for the duration of the mandatory sanction period even though s/he may comply prior to the end of the sanction. FAMIS will reinstate the individual to the case when the last month of the sanction period is over.

FOOD STAMP MANUAL REVISION

The Food Stamp Manual sections 1105.025.50 and 1105.025.75 are revised with these changes.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

JKW