MEMORANDUM

2008 Memorandums

IM-#76     09/15/08

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
FAMILY SUPPORT DIVISION
P.O. BOX 2320
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI
TO:
ALL COUNTY OFFICES
FROM:
JANEL R. LUCK, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
HURRICANE IKE POLICY AND CODING

DISCUSSION:

The United States Department of Health and Human Services has issued a Public Health Emergency Declaration, which states that a public health emergency exists in the states of Louisiana and Texas due to Hurricane Ike. Evacuees from these states may come to Missouri seeking shelter and/or medical attention.

Effective immediately, codes are added to FAMIS and Legacy to identify households who have evacuated from their home state due to Hurricane Ike and have applied for benefits in Missouri. This memorandum addresses the following:

FAMIS ENTRY

Enter the living arrangement code of “NI” (Natural disaster – Ike) on the Supercase Member Clearance (FM0E) screen to create a separate supercase for Hurricane Ike evacuees. Code NI can be used in conjunction with other living arrangement codes at the same residential address and allow multiple supercases at that address.

For pending applications update the living arrangement code to NI prior to approval. Change the living arrangement code by taking the following steps.

LEGACY ENTRY

Enter the case identifier code of “I” (Hurricane Ike Evacuee) in field 27 of IMU5 upon approval

FOOD STAMP POLICY

There are no changes to policy for the Food Stamp Program at this time. Follow normal program rules if the evacuees wish to apply for the Food Stamp Program in Missouri.

If the evacuees purchase and prepare food with the individuals with whom they are residing, this is not considered a separate EU and the supercase would not be coded NI for Hurricane Ike status. If the evacuees purchase and prepare food separately, or are residing in a shelter, the NI code would be used to identify the evacuees as a separate supercase/EU.

NOTE: Since FAMIS requires the living arrangement code to be entered before an application can be added, ask applicants not residing in a shelter about separate food purchase and preparation before clearing the address.

If the applicant states they cannot obtain verification, send the information to Central Office via the IM-14 process for clarification.

If the evacuee states s/he received benefits in a state affected by Hurricane Ike and has lost food purchased with those benefits, complete the IM-110 and send to the Food Stamp Program and Policy Unit following normal procedures.

CHILD CARE POLICY

Families displaced by Hurricane Ike may file an application for Child Care Assistance through the Family Support Division or the Children’s Division (for Protective Services Child Care). All eligibility factors for Child Care Assistance are to be followed, including need for care, with the exception that staff is instructed to use flexibility when asking for verification of residency, relationship, and income. Although the timeframe for processing applications will not be changed, staff should make applications for assistance to families affected by Hurricane Ike a priority.

Residency

Section 1210.010.00 of the Child Care Assistance policy manual requires applicants of Child Care Assistance be Missouri residents or declare an intent to remain in Missouri. Ike victims may receive Child Care Assistance as residents of Missouri, as long as there is an indication that they intend to remain in Missouri. The applicant’s statement is acceptable verification of residency unless it is questionable

Relationship

Relationship may be difficult to establish because of the loss of personal documents. If a family can not provide the appropriate verification of relationship, it must be established through collateral contacts. The family must provide the name and contact information of an individual who has knowledge of the family and can verify relationship.

Income

Household income is verified through normal verification processes. If the income being verified is from a previous employment or source, and hard copy verification can not be obtained, staff may accept the client’s statement. If the income is from a new source or employment since arriving in Missouri, appropriate verification of the new income must be provided.

Child Care Resource and Referral

The Missouri Child Care Resource and Referral Network (MOCCRRN) is a network of agencies that provide referral services to families seeking child care arrangements. They have prepared to assist displaced families by providing referral lists and contacting providers to ensure that there are child care openings.

Because families displaced by Ike will not be familiar with the different categories of legal care in Missouri, it is important that staff refer interested families to the MOCCRRN agency in their area. The eight MOCCRRN agencies may be located on the internet at www.moccrrn.org or by telephone at 1-800- 200-9017.

TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE POLICY

CURRENT TA PARTICIPANTS FROM AFFECTED AREAS
Evacuees who are current TANF participants in Louisiana or Texas may use their home state EBT cards in Missouri to access their benefits. If they need a replacement card, they should call the customer service number for their state. Provide phone numbers listed below to any evacuees requesting assistance to replace their EBT card in their state of residence.

Louisiana
Louisiana Customer Service Helpline at 1-888-997-1117

Texas
Lone Star Helpdesk at 1-800-777-7328

APPLICATIONS FOR MISSOURI TA BENEFITS
Accept applications for evacuees and request verification necessary to determine eligibility. If the applicant declares they have no plans to return to the affected area or to leave Missouri for another state, consider them Missouri residents with the intent to remain. Eligibility Specialists are to have a discussion with the evacuees in order to make a determination as to their plans to remain in Missouri.

Follow all standard verification policies. Do not follow Hurricane Katrina/Rita policy from 2005. If further clarification is needed on case specific situations, contact Family Support Division's Program and Policy Unit through appropriate supervisory channels.

MO HEALTHNET POLICY

If an individual temporarily displaced from either the state of Louisiana or Texas due to Hurricane Ike comes to Family Support Division and requests MO HealthNet assistance (Medicaid and/or medical assistance in other states), he/she must be allowed to apply for assistance. Individuals who are current Medicaid participants in Louisiana or Texas do not need to apply for MO HealthNet assistance in Missouri, unless they intend to make Missouri their permanent residence. Those individuals whose home state are affected by Hurricane Ike, who are not currently receiving benefits and declare Missouri residence, may be eligible for Missouri MO HealthNet benefits.

Evacuees who are current Medicaid participants in Louisiana or Texas should be able to access medical services in other states. In addition, out-of-state providers can enroll to become a provider for these states as a result of Hurricane Ike. It is not necessary to take a MO HealthNet application if an evacuee is a current Medicaid participant in their state of residence

Missouri medical providers who provide services to evacuees with Medicaid coverage from Louisiana or Texas should request reimbursement from the respective state’s Medicaid agency. Completion of an out-of-state provider application is required for reimbursement to be considered.

Accept MO HealthNet applications for evacuees who plan to stay in Missouri and request verification necessary to determine eligibility. Follow standard verification policies, not Hurricane Katrina/Rita policy from 2005. If further clarification is needed on case specific situations, contact Family Support Division’s Program and Policy Unit through appropriate supervisory channels.

Evacuees that are mandatory assistance group members on existing MO HealthNet eligibility units (EUs) must be added to the active case and the living arrangement code on the active supercase is not changed.

NECESSARY ACTION

REM/AJ/RE/LH
2008 Memorandums