MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

Effective October 18, 2010, Eligibility Specialists have the clearance to enter Food Stamp (FS) replacement benefits when benefits are requested due to a household misfortune. Policy Liaisons have the clearance to enter FS replacements due to benefits being stolen from an EBT account.

This memo addresses the following issues related to replacing benefits:

• State Office Copy of IM-110
• Fair Hearing Request

State Office Copy of IM-110

For replacement decisions made and entered by Eligibility Specialist or Policy Liaisons, a copy of the IM-110 must be sent to the Food Stamp Program and Policy Unit. The copy may be mailed, faxed to 573-522-4333, or emailed to ColeFSPolicy@dss.mo.gov. File the original IM-110 form in the case record.

For assistance in processing a replacement, refer to user guide FOOD STAMP REPLACEMENT.

Fair Hearing Request

If the EU requests a fair hearing due to a replacement request, fax the fair hearing request to the Hearings Unit the same day. It is important to send all Agency evidence to the Hearings Unit as soon as possible. All available evidence should be sent to the Hearings Unit with the original request for hearing within 24 hours. Do not wait until a few days before the hearing to send the evidence.

For budget adjustments or closings, evidence includes, but is not limited to:

• IM-110 - Statement of Loss/Replacement Request
• IM-112 – Action Taken on Your Food Stamp Case
• Comments Screens
• Manual sections/legal references
• Verification of loss
• Payment History screen
• EBT transactions (for benefits lost from EBT account)

Provide a copy of the evidence to the EU asking for the hearing, and their legal representative and schedule a pre-hearing conference. If the EU designates an attorney or authorized representative for the hearing, send a copy of all notices and evidence for the hearing to the EU and the designated individual.

The following has been revised to reflect the new policy:

• Food Stamp Replacement Questions and Answers;
• User Guide FOOD STAMP REPLACEMENT; and
• Food Stamp Manual sections 1150.000.00, 1150.005.00 and 1150.010.00.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Dicuss this memorandum with all appropriate staff.

CB