MEMORANDUM
2008 Memorandums
IM-4      01/07/08

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
FAMILY SUPPORT DIVISION
P.O. BOX 2320
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI

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
MANUAL REVISION #2  0805.015.10.05, 0855.005.40.01

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:

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:

KE

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