- TO:
- ALL COUNTY OFFICES
- FROM:
- ALYSON CAMPBELL, DIRECTOR
- SUBJECT:
- PROCESSING INTERNET CHANGES REPORTED THROUGH THE MISSOURI BENEFIT CENTER
DISCUSSION:
Memorandum IM-#34 June 1, 2009 introduced the Missouri Benefits Center which allows participants active in FAMIS to report changes through the internet. A link to the Missouri Benefits Center is available on the Department of Social Services website at https://dss.mo.gov/index.htm. This memorandum addresses:
- Processing of Web Change Reports by Eligibility Specialists;
- Processing Food Stamp Shelter Expenses; and
- Hearing Requests on Web Change Reports
Processing of Web Change Reports by Eligibility Specialists
Once the online change report is submitted the eligibility specialist assigned to the case will be notified and must determine if the information reported needs to be moved to FAMIS. The online change report displays on the Web Change Report Search (FWHL or WEBRSRCH) screen. Overnight an alert is generated and displays on the eligibility specialist’s Alert/Reminder List on the Alert/Reminder (FM7M or ALREMIND) screen.
A new document is available entitled Online Change Report Summary (WB145) and can be printed from Document Queue (FMVM or DOCQUE). Eligibility specialists may print the change report to review pending changes prior to working on the submitted change report.
The Web Change Report Search (FWHL or WEBRSRCH) screen displays all online change reports submitted to the county. It is recommended that each local Family Support Division (FSD) office have a system in place for checking and monitoring the Web Change Report Search (FWHL or WEBRSRCH) screen at least once per day. For more information on how to access an online change report through the Web Change Report Search (FWHL or WEBRSRCH) or the Alert/Reminder (FM7M or ALREMIND) screens refer to the Processing Web Change Reports User Guide.
Once the eligibility specialist selects the Eligibility Unit (EU) from the Web Change Report Search (FWHL or WEBRSRCH) screen or the Alert/Reminder (FM7M or ALREMIND) screen; the Web Select Interface (FWHM or WEBFACE) screen displays. The eligibility specialist can process the web change report from the Web Select Interface Screen by pressing F6=WEBINTER or F11=WEBFLOW. The eligibility specialist must review each change reported prior to determining whether or not to update the information in FAMIS. The eligibility specialist can review information currently in FAMIS by pressing F6=DETAILS.
For more information on processing online change reports refer to the Processing Web Change Reports User Guide.
Processing Food Stamp Shelter Expense
When processing shelter expense changes for the Food Stamp Program, carefully review the information after submitting the change to FAMIS by pressing F6=DETAILS. This takes you to the Shelter Expense (FMXK) screen.
The Primary H/C field is populated with "N" for a change in any shelter expense. FAMIS shows two expenses for the updated category. One will have the old data and the other will show the reported change. It is necessary to end date the old shelter expense to avoid duplication of the expense.
- Enter U in the command field, select the old expense and enter the end date. The old expense is ended.
- Enter U in the command field and select the newly reported expense, space through the "N" in the Primary H/C field, and enter the verification code if appropriate.
- Press F21=RETURN to return to the previous screen. The new expense is now committed to the Food Stamp budget.
Hearing Requests on Web Change Reports
When a participant requests a hearing on a web change report determination of benefits, a copy of the Online Change Report Summary (WB145) needs to be printed and included in the hearing exhibits along with supporting verifications. The Online Change Report Summary (WB145) can be accessed from the Document Queue (FMVM or DOCQUE) screen. A document is moved from the Document Queue (FMVM or DOCQUE) screen to the Document History (FMVR or DOCHST) screen 31 to 45 days after it is generated. If Online Change Report Summary (WB145) does not display on the Document Queue (FMVM or DOCQUE) screen, access the Document History (FMVR or DOCHST) screen.
If further assistance is needed contact the FAMIS Help Desk at 1-800-MOFAMIS (663-2647).
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
- Check the Alert/Reminder (FM7M or ALREMIND) and Web Change Report Search (FWHL or WEBRSRCH) screens daily for web change reports.
- Begin receiving and processing Web Change Reports as instructed effective June 1, 2009.
- Refer to the User Guide Processing Web Change Reports for additional help in receiving and processing web change reports. If further assistance is needed contact the FAMIS Help Desk at 1-800-MOFAMIS (663-2647).
TM/JM/JW/LB/RE