| TO: | ALL COUNTY OFFICES |
| FROM: | JANEL R. LUCK, DIRECTOR |
| SUBJECT: | DISREGARD OF SOCIAL SECURITY COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS (COLA) FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) AND TICKET TO WORK HEALTH ASSURANCE (TWHA) PROGRAMS |
DISCUSSION:
Senate Bill 577 (2007) amended Section 208.153 RSMo to specify that programs in which income eligibility is determined by Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will not be adjusted for annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) changes in OASDI or SSI benefits until the next FPL adjustment. Cases not adjusted during the December 8, 2007, mass adjustment for OASDI/SSI COLA increases due to the SB 577 (2007) include MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MHABD) spenddown and non spenddown, and the Ticket to Work Health Assurance (TWHA) Program. Field 14M of IMU5 displays pre-COLA OASDI amounts, and field 14L displays pre-COLA SSI amounts. Case approvals and budget adjustments completed after December 8, 2007, for MHABD spenddown and non spenddown and TWHA must be completed using the pre-COLA income amount of OASDI and SSI until the FPL adjustments are made for April.
EXAMPLE: On February 8, 2008, Mr. Humphrey applies for MHABD benefits. Mr. Humphrey is receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). His SSDI income in December 2007 was $668.00 and for January 2008 it increased to $683.00.
The eligibility specialist completes the IM-30A Budget Worksheet using Mr. Humphrey's pre-COLA adjusted SSDI income amount of $668.00. The eligibility specialist enters $668.00 in field 14M of IMU5.
Legacy did not complete a mass adjustment for MHABD spenddown and non spenddown and TWHA cases due to COLA increases in OASDI/SSI income, as the increase in OASDI/SSI income is disregarded until the next FPL adjustment.
NOTE: COLA increases for participants receiving Veterans Administration (VA) and Railroad Retirement (RR) continue to be adjusted yearly for January.
Sections 0805.015.10.05 and 0855.005.40.01 Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Disregard are added to the manual.
LEGACY MASS ADJUSTMENTS FOR JANUARY 2008
During the weekend of December 8, 2007, State Office completed COLA adjustments for the following types of assistance:
- Supplemental Aid to the Blind (SAB) cash cases;
- Vendor Cases including those with allotments;
- Missouri Children with Developmental Disabilities (MOCDD) cases;
- Home and Community Based (HCB) Waiver Services cases; and
- Supplemental Nursing Care (SNC) cash cases.
Budget adjustments and case approvals completed for these types of cases must have the new amount of OASDI/SSI income budgeted following the mass adjustment.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
- Use the pre-COLA OASDI/SSI income amounts for any adjustments or approvals completed for MHABD spenddown and non spenddown and TWHA completed after December 8, 2007.
- Use the new amount of OASDI/SSI income for SAB, Vendor, MOCDD, HCB, and SNC adjustments or approvals for January 2008 or later months.