| TO: | ALL COUNTY OFFICES |
| FROM: | JANEL R. LUCK, DIRECTOR |
| SUBJECT: | FAMIS SAB AND BP MASS ADJUSTMENT |
DISCUSSION:
Effective July 1, 2008, the maximum cash grant for Supplemental Aid to the Blind (SAB) and Blind Pension (BP) increases to $609.00. A FAMIS mass adjustment is being done June 14, 2008, for all active EUs with SAB/BP income (income sources AB, F1, BN, and B1).
During the mass adjustment, the SAB/BP income is updated in FAMIS. An adjustment of July 2008 Temporary Assistance, MO HealthNet, Food Stamps, and/or Child Care benefits is completed based on the new SAB/BP grant amounts.
FAMIS will adjust the SAB/BP amount for July 2008 during the mass adjustment. For cases approved after June 13, 2008, budget the new grant amount for July.
FAMIS cases that are in the controlled flow or in conversion status in the controlled flow will not be adjusted.
EUs in the Controlled Flow
If an EU with existing SAB/BP income is in the controlled flow, the SAB/BP grant amount is updated during the mass adjustment. The EU remains in the controlled flow and no action is taken by FAMIS during the mass adjustment.
These cases will appear on the error report, and will be resolved when the flow is completed. When completing the controlled flow in FAMIS, review the SAB/BP income and enter the correct amount if it was not adjusted by the mass adjustment.
Conflict of Actions
FAMIS adjusts the income on EUs with a pending adverse action at the time of the mass adjustment. This results in a conflict of actions because one adverse action must be completed or voided before another action can be taken. The eligibility specialist receives the alert “OUTSTANDING ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION”. The conflict must be resolved by the eligibility specialist.
Access the Action Resolution (FM50 or ACTRES) screen and void the pending adverse action. Refer to the user guide Changing an Adverse Action Status for instructions. After voiding the adverse action, access the Eligibility Determination Resolution (FM3Y or EDRES) screen, run a new eligibility determination, and authorize the new adverse action. FAMIS will produce an Adverse Action Notice (FA-510) or a MO HealthNet Adverse Action Notice (FA-410) and take action when the notice has expired.
Other Actions
For eligibility determinations completed on or before June 13, 2008, enter the current SAB/BP grant. The system updates the SAB/BP grant amount during the mass adjustment.
Food Stamp Simplified Reporting EUs
The change in the SAB/BP grant is a change that must be acted upon for simplified reporting EUs for the Food Stamp Program. All disregarded actions during the certification period will be included if the grant is adjusted during the mass adjustment.
Therefore, simplified reporting EUs with previously disregarded actions (action status DIS) are adjusted using all information known to FAMIS. If the Food Stamp benefits for a simplified reporting EU decrease because of cumulative changes, the adjustment is made to decrease the benefits. If there was a previously disregarded Adverse Action to Remove a Person (AARP), the adverse action will be re-generated as a result of the mass adjustment. Do not disregard the action.
Notices
An FA-510 Adverse Action Notice is sent for Food Stamp cases with previously disregarded actions that are adjusted during the mass adjustment.
An FA-150 Claimant Action Notice is sent for the following types of cases during the mass adjustment, notifying them of the July 2008 change of benefits:
- all Child Care cases adjusted;
- all Temporary Assistance cases adjusted;
- Food Stamp cases that the benefits are reduced or closed that do not have previously disregarded actions; and
- Food Stamp cases adjusted and the benefits do not change.
No action notice is being sent for Family Healthcare cases that result in no change (NOCH) in benefits due to the SAB/BP mass adjustment.
An FA-410 MO HealthNet Adverse Action Notice will be sent for Family Healthcare cases that result in a change in benefits due to the SAB/BP adjustment. An FA-450 MO HealthNet Action Notice will be sent once the adverse action notice expires.
Error Report
Active SAB/BP grants that are not shown as income in FAMIS prior to the mass adjustment will not be added during the mass adjustment.
FAMIS will generate reports in the Managed Reporting system listing active EUs that are not adjusted. To review the reports:
- from the Family Support Division (FSD) Intranet site, on the right hand side under Quick Links, click Managed Reporting;
- log into the managed reporting area;
- click on the appropriate domain, for example, eligibility specialists will click on Case Eligibility Specialist Reports;
- click on Cost of Living Adjustments Needing Review; and
- select SAB/BP unable to Adjust to request the on-line report for SAB/BP cases.
Each eligibility specialist must access the report for his/her primary caseload. The error reason is included for each EU member on the report.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
- Review the error report and take appropriate action.