MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

Effective immediately, the offender pre release MO HealthNet application process between Family Support Division (FSD) and Department of Corrections (DOC) has been expanded to more DOC Facilities. In addition DOC will now be accepting applications for additional MO HealthNet Programs under the pre release MO HealthNet application program. DOC will now be accepting applications for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MHABD), MO HealthNet for Kids (MHK) and MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women (MPW).

Department of Corrections Role and Responsibilities

DOC agreed to facilitate the application process on behalf of FSD for certain offenders within its custody who would appear to otherwise meet all factors of eligibility for these programs except for being incarcerated. DOC will gather necessary eligibility information for qualifying individuals.

DOC personnel will assist the offender in completing the application before the anticipated day of release and will send the application and documentation to FSD Central Office to facilitate contact with the FSD county office where the offender plans to reside upon release. DOC staff will assist in obtaining any requested information that may be necessary to make a determination for the offender. On the day the offender is released DOC will notify FSD and provide an updated home address for the offender. DOC will provide FSD the name of a DOC staff member to contact if FSD needs additional information.

Family Support Division Role and Responsibilities

Central Office

FSD Central Office will date and log the receipt of the completed application packet and forward it to the county office where the offender plans to reside upon release. Central Office staff will serve as liaison with DOC and will notify county office staff when the offender is released.

County Office

FSD eligibility specialists must register the application using the date the application was received by FSD Central Office as the date of application. A new code is being developed to enter in the how received field on the Application Request (FM0G or REQUEST) screen in FAMIS to use when registering these applications to track receipt of pre release applications. A separate memorandum will be issued when this code is available. Process these applications in the usual manner for processing MHABD applications with one exception. The exception is that FSD must notify the offender in writing at the address on the application of its decision regarding eligibility for MO HealthNet benefits within two (2) working days of the offender's release into the community providing all factors of eligibility have been met. If the offender remains incarcerated on the application due date, the application must be rejected.

MHABD cases in FAMIS will need to be taken thru the flow and left in ISD status at the QMB Decision screen (FMD6) in order to keep them from approving too early.

MHK and MPW cases will need to be left in the flow until it is time to approve the case in order to keep them from approving too early.

NOTE: An application must not be approved until confirmation is received that the offender has been released from DOC.

Since FSD has an agreement with DOC that they may accept applications on our behalf, FSD can accept for documentation of citizenship a copy of the offender's birth certificate that is in the possession of DOC if DOC staff provide a statement that they viewed the original birth certificate. This is the same policy and procedure established with other agencies that have agreements or contracts with FSD to accept applications on our behalf. In addition, DOC may furnish the offender's DOC ID card which shows his or her name, picture, and offender number as documentation of identity.

If the offender is ineligible based upon any factor other than being an offender of a public institution as defined in Section 1020.005.00 of the December 1973 Eligibility Requirements manual, a case rejection may be completed once that decision is made. However, if the offender is eligible on all other factors the application must be held until the due date before rejecting it based upon the applicant being an offender of a public institution.

The due date for DOC applications is the earlier of:

• Two (2) working days after the offender is released by DOC, if all necessary verification has been received and all eligibility factors are met; or
• 45 days (if age 65 or over); 90 days (if based on PTD or AB criteria); 15 days (if based on pregnancy); or 30 (if under age 19) days from the date of application.

NOTE: If all factors of eligibility are not established by the due date, follow policy in Section 0105.045.05 Reasons for Delay in Disposition of Applications.

Please notify Central Office staff of the application decision via email at Cole.CoXIX@dss.mo.gov.

If rejected, please include the reason for the rejection.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with all appropriate staff.
• Date MO HealthNet applications from DOC the date they are received by FSD Central Office.
• Process MO Health Net applications for DOC offenders in the usual manner, except that the offender must be notified of the eligibility decision within two (2) working days of the offender's release from DOC if all eligibility criteria are met.
• Reject applications on the due date if the offender continues to be incarcerated. Reject applications if ineligible for any reason other than being an offender when the decision is made.
• Notify FSD Central Office of the decision made on the application.

SS