MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce changes to the FAMIS Declaration Detail (FMMN) screen and the new good cause reason code SIOS (Suspended Imposition of Sentence/Deferred Adjudication) for the Food Stamp and Temporary Assistance Programs. This is not a change in policy for either program. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the following procedures.

Effective Monday August 18, 2008, a Good Cause field is added and Good Cause reason code SIOS (Suspended Imposition of Sentence/Deferred Adjudication) is added to the Declaration Detail (FMMN) screen in FAMIS for the following questions:

• Have you or any member of your household been convicted of trafficking Food Stamp benefits of $500 or more?
• Have you or any member of your household been convicted in a Federal or state court of a felony committed after 8-22-96 related to illegal possession, use or distribution of a controlled substance?
• Have you or any member of your household ever been found by a State agency or convicted in a federal or state court of having made fraudulent statement or misrepresentation with respect to identity or place of residence for receiving FS/TA benefits in two (2) or more places at the same time?

This change allows eligibility specialists to enter a good cause reason when an EU member declares that s/he received a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) or deferred adjudication of sentence.

The Good Cause field is displayed on the Declaration Detail (FMMN) screen when the eligibility specialist enters “Y” to a declaration driver question on the Declaration (FMMM) screen when an EU member has one of the following convictions:

• trafficking Food Stamp benefits,
• felony drug conviction committed after 08-22-96, or
• IPV on duplicate participation for Food Stamps.

When an EU member received a suspended imposition/deferred adjudication of sentence (SIS), type or prompt for good cause reason code “SIOS” (Suspended Imposition of Sentence/Deferred Adjudication) in the “Good Cause” field on the Declaration Detail (FMMN) screen and press enter. The message “Good Cause Action successful – NO disqualification required” is displayed.

If a good cause reason other than “SIOS” is entered, error message “Invalid Good Cause Reason Code. Change or remove reason code” is displayed.

EXAMPLE: The EU states an EU member was convicted of drug felony on 01/05/07, but received a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS). The eligibility specialist enters “Y” on the declaration question of “Have you or any member of your household been convicted in a Federal or state court of a felony committed after 8-22-96 related to illegal possession, use or distribution of a controlled substance?” and FAMIS flows to the Declaration Detail (FMMN) screen. The eligibility specialist selects the appropriate individual, enters the declare date, “Y”, types or prompts for the good cause code “SIOS”, and presses enter to commit the data. The message “Good Cause Action successful – NO disqualification required” is displayed. The eligibility specialist records a comment regarding the EU member being convicted with a SIS.

Interim Change

If an active EU reports a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) or deferred adjudication of sentence, go to the Declaration (FMMM) screen, select the applicable question, and press F6=DETAIL to go to the Declaration Detail (FMMN) screen.

EXAMPLE: It becomes known to the eligibility specialist that an EU member has an IPV due to duplicate participation of Food Stamps in Arkansas on 03/01/07, but had a deferred adjudication of sentence. The eligibility specialist goes to the Declaration (FMMM) screen and selects the declaration question, “Have you or any member of your household ever been found by a State agency or convicted in a federal or state court of having made fraudulent statement or misrepresentation with respect to identity or place of residence for the purpose of receiving FS/TA benefits in two (2) or more places at the same time?” and presses F6=DETAIL to flow to the Declaration Detail (FMMN) screen. The eligibility specialist selects the appropriate individual, enters the declare date, “Y”, types or prompts for the good cause code “SIOS”, and presses enter to commit the data. The message “Good Cause Action successful – NO disqualification required” is displayed. The eligibility specialist records a comment regarding the EU member being convicted with a deferred adjudication of sentence.

REMINDER: If the eligibility specialist learns a disqualified EU member received a suspended imposition of sentence/deferred adjudication after having already entered a trafficking, felony drug disqualification, IPV for duplicate participation; or received multiple benefits (RMT TA disqualification), follow the steps outlined above and enter the SIOS on the Declaration Detail (FMMN) screen. Go to the Sanction/Disqualification (FMAM) screen and “delete” the disqualification. Enter a “D” in the select field and press enter. The warning message AA001_NW: Please CONFIRM request to DELETE (Y-Yes or N-No) will appear at the bottom of the screen. Type “Y” and press enter to confirm deletion of the disqualification.

NOTE: If the good cause reason SIOS is entered on the Job Quit Detail or Work Reduction Detail (FMMN) screen when accessed from the Job Quit/Work Reduction (FMMT) screen, the message “Invalid Good Cause Reason Code. Change or remove reason code” is displayed.

The Food Stamp Manual sections 1105.015.10.35 Disqualified for Felony Drug Conviction, 1105.015.10.50 Disqualified for Trafficking Food Stamps, and 1105.015.15 Duplicate Participation, are updated to include the procedure for entering a good cause reason when an EU member has received a suspended imposition of sentence/deferred adjudication (SIS) of sentence for trafficking Food Stamps benefits, felony drug conviction, or IPV on duplicate participation.

The Food Stamp Manual sections 1105.015.10.40 Disqualified for Probation/Parole Violation and 1105.015.10.45 Disqualified for Fleeing Felon are updated due to formatting changes.

TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE

This is not a change in Temporary Assistance policy. A suspended imposition of sentence is not considered a conviction, therefore, the individual's needs and income are considered in the EU. Refer to the Temporary Assistance Manual section 0210.005.10 Persons Excluded from the Temporary Assistance Assistance Group for further information.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KO/JKW/CR